A Selection of Simple Sewing Books for Beginners

How to Sew and Dressmaking Reference Books with Easy Sewing Patterns

Jul 10, 2009 Susan Whelan

Sewing can be a rewarding way of expressing creativity and individuality as well as offering a practical way of saving money on clothing and home furnishings.

Sewing is both a creative and practical hobby. There is a wide range of books available for anyone interesting in reviving forgotten sewing skills, developing more advanced dressmaking skills, or simply those who want to learn how to sew.

Basic Sewing Skills Reference Books

A general sewing guide is an important reference for all types of sewing, whether dressmaking, patchwork. gifts or home furnishings.

These books cover basic skills such as inserting zippers and buttonholes, sewing hems and seams, using paper patterns and an outline of what equipment is needed for a home sewing kit. They will also include advice on selecting, preparing, measuring and cutting material.

These books will occasionally include a limited number of basic patterns intended primarily to illustrate the techniques described.

Recommended Titles:

Sewing for Dummies (2nd edition) by Jan Saunders Maresh (Wiley Publishing, 2004). A comprehensive guide to basic sewing skills with tips, warnings and checklists. Illustrations are black and white drawings.
A-Z of Sewing: Sewing Techniques Meticulously Demonstrated for a Perfect Finish (Country Bumpkin Publications, 2008) – Includes more than 680 detailed step-by-step colour photographs.
Sew Basic: 34 Essential Skills for Sewing with Confidence from the editors of Threads Magazine (Taunton Press, 2002) – A good summary of basic skills with colour photographs.

How-to-Sew Guides

These books provide a summary of basic sewing skills with sewing projects and patterns so that new skills can be practiced and improved.

Recommended Title:

Sew Everything Workshop by Diana Rupp (Workman Publishing Co, 2007). This is a fantastic hands-on beginners guide to sewing with 25 original designs including 10 paper patterns. This is a sewing class in a book, with an encouraging tone that inspires readers to experiment with their newly acquired skills.

Basic Sewing Projects for Beginners

There are many books offering sewing projects ideal for inexperienced sewers. These can include pattern-free projects, simple household furnishings such as pillows and cushion covers and books focusing on easy to use fabrics such as fleece.

Other suitable books include scrap basket style patterns, where sewers can create small items, often household items or gifts, or books offering tips on how to alter and remodel existing items.

Recommended titles:

Pattern-free Fashions and Accessories: 15 Easy-Sew Projects that Build Skills, too by Kate Perri. (Creative Publishing International, 2007) – from simple clothing and accessories to basic household items, this book offers beginners a chance to try out their sewing skills without having to fuss with patterns.
Sew What! Fleece: Get Comfy with 35 Head-to-Toe Easy-to-Sew Projects! By Carol Jessop and Chaila Sekora (Storey Publishing, 2007) – Fleece doesn’t ravel or fray, making it an ideal, easy-to-handle material for beginners. Projects include skirts, jackets, sleepwear, pet accessories and accessories.
One-Piece Wearables: 25 Chic Garments and Accessories to Sew from Single-Pattern Pieces by Sheila Brennan (Quarry Books, 2008) – Minimise sewing angst by reducing the number of seams and pieces of material. Patterns include a range of dresses, tops, skirts, jackets, bags and other items with suggestions for variations to suit all tastes.
The Pillow Book: Over 25 Simple-to-Sew Patterns for Every Room and Every Mood by Shannon Okey (Chronicle Books, 2008) – from simple to extravagant, these patterns include pillows suitable for bedrooms, general home décor, children and even pets. Patterns included.
Alter Nation: Transform, Embellish, Customise by Shannon Okey and Alexandra Underhill (North Light Books, 2007) – While the patterns target a younger audience, the concepts of altering and adapting existing clothing explored in this book offer food for thought for sewers of all ages.

Learning and Developing Sewing Skills

Developing dressmaking and general sewing skills allows individuals to express themselves creatively in the clothing and home furnishings. Clever sewers can save money on clothing and other items by making their own items at home. This not only helps the household budget, but offers great opportunities to express a personal style and avoid buying ill-fitting off-the-rack clothing.

With the titles above or others favourites, compile a home library of sewing reference books to ensure that the right technique, tip or information is never far away when sewing.

The copyright of the article A Selection of Simple Sewing Books for Beginners in Sewing/Needlework is owned by Susan Whelan. Permission to republish A Selection of Simple Sewing Books for Beginners in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.