Threads Sewing Guide: A Complete Reference from America's Best-Loved Sewing Magazine

Lots of great information for new and expert sewers.

I have been a DIY all my life, but as time goes buy, I forget the tips and techniques I have picked up along the way. I subscribe to Threads magazine, and while much of the info in the book is basic, there is some good info in the book. It is definitely worth the purchase.

This book is billed as a complete reference. That's a little ambitious and, unfortunately, untrue for this book. Comprehensive? Yes. Complete? No. The title of "complete" goes to  The New Complete Guide to Sewing: Step-by-Step Techniquest for Making Clothes and Home AccessoriesUpdated Edition with All-New Projects and Simplicity Patterns (Reader's Digest) , The Complete Book of Sewing New Edition  and  Vogue Sewing, Revised and Updated . In comparison to the first two books, where this book excels are the Sewing Machine & Sergers chapter and Essential Tools & Supplies. That information is about the same as the Vogue book, but I prefer this book's photos to the drawings in the Voge book. The same goes for The Closures and Trim & Embellishments chapters.The info is presented in a very easy-to-understand manner. The layout is clean and modern. The photos are beautiful. I like these better than those in the magazine.Chapters I LoveDarts -- Info on balancing darts that I haven't seen in other sewing books. (It is on one of the Threads' Industry Insider DVDs)GodetsSerger SewingSerger StitchesTailoringShoulder PadsFundamentals of Couture Sewing (for the true beginner)Section XIV: Sewing Specialty FabricsCommon Quick Fixes (mending & repair)DisappointmentsPrincess Seams -- there's no mention of how to sew theseClipping & Notching -- there's a new method covered in one of the Industry Insider DVD's that's not included hereEasing Sleeves -- Nancy Zieman and I think Sandra Betzina use finger easing, which isn't presented herePattern Alterations -- as far as general sewing books go,  Vogue Sewing, Revised and Updated  is way betterI guess this is a beginner/intermediate book. I would not choose it over the titles I mentioned earlier, but I think it supplements those nicely.

Threads shares their expertise in a respectful, unassuming manner. The images are helpful. I find the the book can be read a chapter at a time, but works great as a reference. The graphics are helpful and not dated. It is encouraging to see things I might actually wear in a sewing book. Plus, my puppy thinks the cover is delicious.

Threads is the gold standard for the best sewing tips and tricks. This is a comprehensive guide that works well as a "how to" for the beginning sewer and yet has information that an advanced seamstress would find helpful. The pictures and instructions are exceptional, as they always are with Threads. I have been a subscriber since Threads came on the market in the mid-1980's and this is a great addition to that library. The Threads book and any edition of the Vogue Sewing book are pretty much all you need to really have comprehensive how to information on all aspects of fashion sewing.I would highly recommend this book - I have it in both Print and Kindle and find both versions very helpful.

As always with Taunton press, this book is amazing. Full of great information and good photos to help you learn.

I guess I've been sewing for about 50 years. You name it, I've sewn it. But besides receiving Threads in the mail for years now, when I'm sewing and I want to look something up quickly, I wanted a new resource since the last one I bought is about 35 years old and there are new materials and invisible zippers now. Well, this book has everything from cleaning your machine to fabric to matching plaid and what needle to use. It even has pictures for putting in an invisible zipper, something I just cannot master. So buy yourself a treat if you sew, and order this book. I've been reading it chapter by chapter in the evenings and it just landed on my bookcase in my sewing room.

This looks like a clear, comprehensive book. I would highly recommend it for a beginning / intermediate sewer.However, it was not right for me. I have been sewing for over 20 years and have a large sewing reference library. I have only opened the book at random pages but have not seen any techniques or tips which are not already mentioned in my other books. I already know most of the techniques well enough that I don't need to refer to any book. I'm not the most accomplished or wonderful sewer by any means! but I had expected this book to over something new, like I used to expect from the actual Threads magazines.If I had bought this book from a bricks-and-mortar bookstore I would have seen at a glance that it was too basic for me, but couldn't tell from Amazon. That's why I am giving this review, so that others in my position will be forewarned.On the plus side, looking at this book I realised that I really have learnt a lot over those 20 years of sewing!

This is an excellent sewing manual. If you are an enthusiast looking to learn more then you will love this book. I stopped sewing about 20 years ago but started up again looking to improve the quality of my work. This book has so much in it, it's difficult to know which is the best bit. I am hoping to start a pattern cutting course and bought a book - Winifred Aldrich (also excellent) and have produced 3 skirts which fit my daughter perfectly - it was difficult however knowing how to put it together - this book actually has a section which shows the method for constructing a skirt, blouse and trousers! There are so many helpful tips on everything - getting a perfect point on a collar, covering press-studs, couture sewing including hand stitching a zip and covering the stitches with decorative beading. The quality of the book is also excellent and the photos, tips and examples are easy to understand. Showed it to a colleague at work and she also said she wants one. (I also recently bought Alison Smith's dressmaking book which is good but nowhere near as comprehensive as this one.

Thread Sewing Guide is a full of good ideas for those people who want to add a something more to their sewing

One of the best books

This comprehensive "manual" has everything you need, to sew fitting clothes. I use it regularly to refer and to remind about best practises.

A detailed reference book for every level of sewing. I think a beginner sewer might find this book a little daunting, but the information is excellent and worth referencing before starting, and while working, on a project.