The Sewing Book: Over 300 Step-by-Step Techniques

This was purchased in conjunction with a dress form to help learn some of the techniques, fabrics, and different needs (ie: what needles to use when). It has been a great help. It provides lots of basic information, but sometimes, my wife has found that it's good to start with this book, and then go to Youtube or Google to find videos or further detail. My point is, don't plan on this being the only resource you'll use, but it is a great starting point. Highly recommended for people who are newer to sewing, or people who have done the basics and are looking to expand.

What a beautiful book. I recently started sewing again after many years.
With this book I have learned many new techniques. The pictures are worth
a thousand word. They are beautiful. I love everything about this book. Oh and
don't get me started on the price. Great price, great book. I love the store!

Very good photos and information for the beginning or advanced person who is interested in sewing and gets tired of looking on-line for how to do things. I keep the book as part of my sewing cabinet. I enjoy just looking and reading about things even when I don't have a sewing project going on or trying to figure out the way to do a new pattern or project.

The book covered a lot, but some details were lacking. You have to use your imagination and reasoning to figure some things out. Also for some of the projects, there was no photo of the finished product, only up to the last step or so.
The book is okay for general reference, but I would probably go to another source if I need a detailed explanation or step-by-step photos.

the GOOD:

1. pictures are great. easy to follow (when she takes the time to include enough step-by-step pictures).
2. looks nice. hardback. pink. pretty.
3. extensive. it has things in it some other books of mine don't talk in detail about or mention at all (i.e. buttonhole hand-stitching)
4. i have been using this book as my first go-to book as i proceed to make a dress. it is a good first go-to guide

the BAD:

1. i still have to refer to other books on my bookshelf to get a better description of some things. (i.e. that buttonhole hand-stitching thing i mentioned before. her picture still left me with some questions so i had to refer to 2 other books until i found a better written explanation. then i had to practice on some other fabric since i had not done it before and had trouble at first understanding)
2. sometimes i like another book's procedure better. when i need to install a lapped zipper for the first time, this book explained it fairly decently. but then i found a different procedure in another book that had more photos on how to do it AND i think the procedure sounds like it will produce a better result. i have not tried it yet, but it required more steps and i will do it on my actual dress. right now, i'm practicing on the muslin.

the UGLY:

1. have not found anything yet :)

First time learning to sew. Love the photography, bold print, and includes a few items to practice on. Confusion does exist between industry standards in terminology for different seams and what is called out in the text - difficult to figure out what's what when an instructor, professional seamstress, requires a Moch French Seam but the book calls the same technique something else. This is something to overcome. Over all A. TexanSunshine