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9 Best Sewing Books (2024 update)
Seeking the *best sewing books*? Whether just starting out or hunting for fresh designs, our **top picks** will help you find a new gem. For stitching fans, sewing books are treasures. They make awesome gifts too. But picking the perfect one might be tricky with tons of choices out there. So, to ease your search, we’ve gathered our **top 9 favorites**, catering to different tastes.
Our Top Picks For The Best Sewing Books
- Best Free Beginner’s Ebook: Joann’s Field Guide to Basic Sewing (jump to review)
- Best Overall: Make, Sew and Mend (jump to review)
- Best for Beginners: First Time Sewing (jump to review)
- Best for Intermediates: The Sewing Book (jump to review)
- Best for Experts: The Experts Book of Sewing Tips and Techniques (jump to review)
- Best for Teens: Girl’s Guide to DIY Fashion (jump to review)
- Best for Men’s Clothing: The Gentleman’s Wardrobe (jump to review)
- Best for Kids: Sewing for Kids (jump to review)
- Best for Pattern Alterations: The Fitting Book (jump to review)
- Best for Pros: Sewing Secrets from the Fashion Industry (jump to review)
Reviews Of Our Top Picks
Best Free Beginner’s Ebook: Joann’s Field Guide to Basic Sewing
This succinct 20-page field guide is the perfect beginner's ebook to sew apparel or home decor. After reading through this book, you will know more about how to select the right tools and supplies as well as terminology you'll need to read a pattern. The ebook contains 6 chapters including introduction, words to know, basic tools and supplies, sewing 101, patterns and tips & tricks.
Best Overall: Make, Sew and Mend
"Make, Sew and Mend" is an engaging guide suitable for sewers of all levels, offering techniques, such as stitching gussets, patching holes, and trimming skirts. The book emphasizes affordable and environmentally responsible stitching practices, addressing the rising interest in sustainable fashion choices. With instructive and endearing writing, the author provides step-by-step images for durable results in every stitch, from buttonholes to herringbone.
- Clear instructions
- Provides information about the essentials
- High-quality pictures
- Could be considered focused on historical sewing (and not fast fashion)
Best for Beginners: First Time Sewing
"First Time Sewing," authored by experienced sewing veterans, serves as the perfect guide for beginners. This comprehensive book provides step-by-step instructions for both hand and machine stitching, offering a personal tutor-like experience. Master fundamental sewing techniques effortlessly with easy-to-follow projects, including garments, curtains, slacks, and cushions. Explore detailed descriptions of sewing tools and materials, empowering you to create fantastic crafts and thoughtful gifts for your loved ones. With this guide, sewing has never been more accessible and enjoyable.
- Very clear images
- To the point precise directions
- Ideal fit and ready to sew for all ages
- Limited instructions
- Some information might be outdated
Read our detailed post about best sewing books for beginners here.
Best for Intermediates: The Sewing Book
"The Sewing Book" stands as the definitive guide for intermediates, boasting over 370,000 global copies sold. With detailed illustrations, it elevates your sewing skills, covering materials, pattern layout, interfacing, and various techniques like pleats and godets. Delving into topics such as seams, alterations, and repairing rips, it's a comprehensive resource. The author's diverse approaches advance simple designs, providing stitching directions for garments and household items. With 300 step-by-step procedures and 5 new sewing methods, this edition is your ultimate sewing companion for outfits, soft furnishings, and creative projects.
- Straightforward and understandable writing
- Great refresher course
- Very informative and easy to follow
- Great pictures
- Print is in gray, might be hard to read
- Few explanations might be confusing
Best for Experts: The Experts Book of Sewing Tips and Techniques
"The Experts Book of Sewing Tips and Techniques" is a treasure trove of invaluable advice from the best sewing experts in America. Seamlessly blending seasoned wisdom with clear illustrations, this book caters to both experts and beginners alike. Offering hints for well-made house decorations and garments, it guides on fabric selection and divulges time-saving techniques, button applications, and precise sewing methods. Whether you're refining existing skills or diving into new techniques, this book is your ideal resource for achieving polished results in any sewing project.
- Direct information
- Excellent illustration
- Finest shortcuts available
- Best sewing hints
- Some of the tips are too short
Best for Teens: Girl’s Guide to DIY Fashion
"Girl’s Guide to DIY Fashion" by Rachel Low, owner of Pins & Needles in NYC, is an authoritative manual on sewing and fashion design for girls. Learn to infuse everyday items with a stylish twist, creating headbands, tops, skirts, pants, and handbags. With sketching space in the book, personalize your designs and craft a unique wardrobe without leaving home. Explore mood boards and bring your inspirations to life in this comprehensive guide to DIY fashion.
- Excellent instructions and visuals
- Excellent patterns
- The book has a cute look with great visuals
- Some of the information maybe too immature
- The diagrams do not reflect a more diverse group of girls
Best for Men’s Clothing: The Gentleman’s Wardrobe
"The Gentleman's Wardrobe" is an essential read for dedicated sewists eager to enhance their expertise in men's garment construction. Delving into various topics, the author provides tips on fabric and supplies selection, as well as basics like altering and repairing clothing. The book demystifies sewing techniques, offering clear, easy-to-follow instructions. With unique techniques and accompanying projects, it's a comprehensive guide to understanding and meeting the contemporary clothing needs of a gentleman.
- Close-up good-quality pictures and lucid directions
- Includes 14 project patterns
- Size measurements were too limited
Best for Kids: Sewing for Kids
"Sewing For Kids" is the ultimate beginner's guide to hand-sewing, offering step-by-step instructions on knot-tying, whipstitching, and transitioning to sewing machines. Authored by Alexa Ward, this book caters to needlework newcomers, progressing through projects of increasing difficulty. Tracy McElfresh praises it as the perfect introduction to the world of sewing, highlighting valuable tips for creating a conducive learning environment. With insights that lay the foundation for a lifetime of skills, "Sewing for Kids" becomes a cherished gift for discovering and sharing the joy of sewing.
- Easy to follow
- Clearly explained
- Fun projects suited for kids
- Too much information at times can be overwhelming
Best for Pattern Alterations: The Fitting Book
"The Fitting Book" is a comprehensive guide addressing the common fitting challenges women face with sewing patterns. Designed to aid in achieving the perfect fit, this book features visual sketches and video links for identifying, modifying, and correcting fitting issues. Covering terminology, abbreviations, pattern tools, and supplies, it applies to womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, knit styles, and woven styles. Emphasizing fitting over pattern drafting, this guide also introduces the customization scale in garment fitting and patternmaking for a well-rounded resource. Perfect for those seeking to overcome sizing challenges and create garments that fit flawlessly.
- Easy to follow
- Great guide for pattern alterations
- Not a pattern drafting book
- The sketches and photos are in black and white
Best for Pros: Sewing Secrets from the Fashion Industry
"Sewing Secrets from the Fashion Industry" is a treasure trove for dedicated sewists. Authored by five experts with over a century of combined experience in the clothing industry, this book unveils time-saving and quality-improving methods used by professionals. Providing an inside look at clothing creation, it features over 800 pictures and a comprehensive "tips & techniques" section organized alphabetically. From design nuances to insider knowledge, this book is a must-have for aficionados who seek to elevate their craft and turn basic items into statement-making pieces. A standout addition to all sewing collections.
- Great book with specific tips for body adjustments
- Practical suggestions
- Can replace a live class
- Most useful for intermediates or experts
What Are the Different Types of Sewing Books?
Here is a foundation for purchasing sewing handbooks if you are just starting to build your library or learning how to sew. You can also read our posts on best sewing books and best sewing books for beginners. You only need to choose a book from one of the following three subcategories:
Reference Books
Reference books make up the first subgroup. One might consider them encyclopedia when it comes to sewing. They demonstrate key methods and provide definitions for words. If you ever come upon a new concept or get stuck in the middle, these reference books will be your guide. You can also look for a digital version of these reference books if you are fond of reading eBooks or like to key in a search term while reading.
Fitting Books
You are already aware that fitting is an inherent part of sewing clothes, so having a fitting sewing book is quite beneficial. Fitting can be done in a lot of ways, and choosing one will help you understand it better as you gradually discover what suits your body best. There are an indefinite number of various fitting strategies available. It is, however, beneficial to follow one particular strategy and adhere to it until you are confident enough in the procedure to contrast it with other fitting techniques.
Project Based Books
Project-based books are another subcategory of sewing books for your library. These books not only contain patterns, but they also guide you along a straight path so that you can learn as you go. This framework can be quite helpful for beginners, as you are learning with your bare hands rather than having to imagine these techniques without actually doing them.
Why do you need a Sewing Book?
If you’ve just bought your first machine and are ready to get started, sewing books are an excellent way to get started quickly. Having your grandma teach you how to sew is excellent, but it helps to have a reliable resource you can turn to if you get stuck in the middle and are unsure of what to do next.
Books are a great resource to learn old and new techniques. They feature comprehensive step-by-step written instructions that you can return to whenever you need. They also provide pictorial references to assist you in learning each step precisely.
With the help of many excellent instructional videos on YouTube channels, you may learn a lot about sewing. However, to learn more about sewing in a more organized way, books could be a better choice.
Summary: The Best Sewing Book Is
- Best Free Beginner’s Ebook: Joann’s Field Guide to Basic Sewing (jump to review)
- Best Overall: Make, Sew and Mend (jump to review)
- Best for Beginners: First Time Sewing (jump to review)
- Best for Intermediates: The Sewing Book (jump to review)
- Best for Experts: The Experts Book of Sewing Tips and Techniques (jump to review)
- Best for Teens: Girl’s Guide to DIY Fashion (jump to review)
- Best for Men’s Clothing: The Gentleman’s Wardrobe (jump to review)
- Best for Kids: Sewing for Kids (jump to review)
- Best for Pattern Alterations: The Fitting Book (jump to review)
- Best for Pros: Sewing Secrets from the Fashion Industry (jump to review)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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