Sewing for Dummies [3 ed.] 3175723993, 9780470623206, 0470623209

Table of contents :
Sewing For Dummies®, 3rd Edition......Page 1
About the Author......Page 7
Author’s Acknowledgments......Page 9
Contents at a Glance......Page 11
Table of Contents......Page 13
About This Book......Page 23
How This Book Is Organized......Page 24
Where to Go from Here......Page 26
Part I: Getting Ready to Sew......Page 27
Chapter 1: The World of Sewing......Page 29
Figuring Out What Comes First: The Idea or the Tools?......Page 30
Sizing Up the Sewing Process......Page 33
Moving On to the Needle and Thread......Page 35
Sewing for the Home Is Where the Saving Is......Page 37
Doing Your Part for the Planet with a Sustainable Wardrobe......Page 38
Chapter 2: Assembling Your Sewing Kit......Page 39
Making Sure Your Sewing Measures Up......Page 40
Cutting Up (Without Cracking Up)......Page 42
Making Your Mark......Page 44
Getting to the Point with the Right Needles, Thimbles, and Seam Rippers......Page 45
Selecting Thread for Your Project......Page 47
Pressing Issues......Page 48
Real Machines: Sewing Machines and Sergers......Page 50
Choosing the Right Fabric for Your Project......Page 59
Getting Notions about Findings......Page 68
Investigating Interfacing......Page 74
Preshrinking Your Fabric......Page 75
Shopping for Patterns......Page 77
Sizing Things Up for Fashion Sewing......Page 78
Deciphering the Pattern and Its Parts......Page 80
Laying Out the Pattern......Page 85
Pinning and Cutting Out the Pieces......Page 92
Making Your Mark......Page 93
Part II: Mastering Basic Sewing Skills......Page 97
Threading the Needle......Page 99
Tying a Sewing Knot......Page 102
Choosing and Using the Right Hand Stitches......Page 104
Working with Machine Stitches......Page 109
Starting and Stopping......Page 114
Basting Projects for a Better Fit......Page 116
Pressing Matters......Page 118
Repurposed Shirt Pillow......Page 120
Finishing the Edges First......Page 125
Securing Your Seams......Page 127
Fleece Throw with Colorful Fringe......Page 129
Seaming Fabrics......Page 133
Ripping into Seam Mistakes......Page 138
Shaping Up the Seams......Page 140
Chapter 7: Fast and Easy Hems by Hand and Machine......Page 147
Marking the Hem’s Placement......Page 148
Deciding on the Hem Allowance......Page 149
Finishing the Raw Edges of the Hem......Page 150
Securing the Hem......Page 153
Sewing Tapered Hems......Page 157
Hemming Knits with Twin Needles......Page 158
Part III: Fashion Sewing Fun-damentals......Page 161
Darting Around......Page 163
Gathering Fabric from One Piece into Another......Page 167
Ruffled Apron......Page 170
Completing Pleats......Page 176
Adding Stretch and Comfort with Elastic......Page 178
Cuffed Pajama Pants......Page 185
Welcoming Easy Ways to Put in Zippers......Page 193
Mastering Buttonhole Basics......Page 202
Checking Out Other Fasteners......Page 213
Fold-Over Clutch with Button Closure......Page 214
Finishing Sleeveless Armholes......Page 219
Rarin’ to Sew Raglan Sleeves......Page 225
Taking On Set-In Sleeves......Page 228
Protective Laptop Sleeve......Page 234
Putting Together Patch Pockets......Page 237
Using Your Own Pocket Patterns......Page 244
Coordinating Pocket-Collage Shirt......Page 246
Part IV: Sewing for Your Home......Page 247
Overcoming Décoraphobia......Page 249
Homing In on Home Décor Fabric......Page 252
Tackling Trim......Page 253
Attaching Piping, Cording, and Fringe......Page 257
Reversible Table Runner......Page 267
Selecting Fabric for Table Toppers......Page 269
Making Easy Napkins......Page 270
Party-Ready Lapkins......Page 275
Hip to Be Square Tablecloth......Page 277
Selecting Materials for Pillows......Page 279
A Basic Cover Fit for a Pillow Form......Page 280
The Easiest Reversible Pillow Cover Ever......Page 284
15-Minute Flanged Pillow Cover......Page 286
Plush Pet Bed......Page 287
Box-Edged Pillow......Page 292
The Wide World of Window Treatments......Page 295
Determining Window Treatment Dimensions......Page 300
Custom Draperies......Page 304
Saving Money by Crafting a Bedding Set......Page 311
Pleated Bed Skirt......Page 312
Custom Duvet Cover......Page 320
Part V: Making Alterations and Quick Fixes for a Sustainable Wardrobe......Page 325
When It’s Too Short......Page 327
When It’s Too Long......Page 332
When It’s Too Tight......Page 337
When It’s Too Loose......Page 339
Crossover Belt......Page 340
Repairing a Split Seam......Page 343
Patching Holes and Rips......Page 345
Mending Tears in Fabric......Page 348
Replacing a Fly-Front Zipper......Page 349
Chapter 19: Eco Fashion: Giving Existing Garments New Life......Page 353
Felted Wool Hat......Page 354
(Almost) Instant Party Dress......Page 361
Part VI: The Part of Tens......Page 367
Run a Background Check......Page 369
Weigh the Scales......Page 370
Rely on a Collection......Page 371
Consult a Pro......Page 372
Attempting a Project Beyond Your Skill Level......Page 373
Using the Wrong Fabric for the Pattern......Page 374
Using an Old, Beat-Up Sewing Machine......Page 375
Refusing to Cut Yourself Some Slack......Page 376
Buy the Best Fabric You Can Afford......Page 377
Know the Difference between Right and Wrong......Page 378
Stop and Start Sewing the Right Way......Page 379
Test-Stitch First......Page 380
Press Seams Together and then Open or to One Side......Page 381
Clip with the Tips of Your Scissors......Page 382
Sewing Publications......Page 383
Sewing Machine Manufacturers......Page 384
National Fabric Stores......Page 385
Regional Fabric Stores......Page 386
Notion Companies......Page 387
Thread Manufacturers......Page 388
Index......Page 389
Photo Insert......Page 411