Customer Reviews

Power Sewing Step-By-Step

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although there were several excellent tips in the book and the directions were clear, sources mentioned in the book were not listed in the back of the book as promised by the author.

Having sewn since I was an 8-year-old 4-H-er, (more than half a century ago!) but now experiencing arthritic hands and much less time to sew, I find Sandra's tips and descriptions are extremely helpful. She recommends interfacings and linings by brand name and suggests, in great detail, ways to prepare and use current fibers. Though experienced in classic tailoring, I find her tips most useful and am expanding my library with her books just to improve my techniques. Thank you, Sandra, for permitting me to continue to show creativity - more easily!

This book is worth it for the tip boxes alone. The photos are well-considered (although the styles and fabrics don't appeal to me personally, at least they are less dowdy than some other books out there), the written descriptions are short and sweet, and the production value of the book is tip-top. My only complaint is that I wish I had bought the spiral-bound edition; I have to weight the pages open if my hands are full of sewing. I own a lot of sewing manuals, but this is the one I go back to again and again. As has been mentioned in some reviews, it's not quite for beginners, but if you have basic construction knowledge, this book will improve your work.

I was an absolute beginner when I purchased this book. I sewed my first real skirt based on her construction techniques--including the zipper, which when I followed her technique, was a breeze! Zippers seem easy to me now. I love her ideas, and her vision of how things should flow on the body. It is a fountain of useful information, but also it offers great inspiration. Most of all this text enabled me to let go of my fear about sewing and embellishing patterns to make clothes that are truly your own.

I bought this book thinking it would be good for a beginner like myself. I soon found out that it assumes you already know basic construction. With that in mind I found it useful once I learned the basic contruction technique for a given garment. As a beginniner I still struggle with it though. I think its better suited for the more advanced sewer.

Wow!!!What a book. It is absolutely fantastic.
It is arranged so well. The author has broken the book down in sections so that if you want to sew a jacket for instance, simply open the book to that section and everything is explained including tips on using techniques from haute couture to industry tricks. Filled with color photographs using contrasting thread for easy viewing and very clear explanations. The only down side of this book is she boasts of her feats every now and then but don't let that stop you from buying this book because it is a gem. It is even spiral bound for staying open while you sew.

This is a wonderful resource for sewers of all levels who want to learn professional sewing techniques for garments. Clearly written, well-illustrated and thorough in detail, the book will spend many hours as your "mentor" on sewing projects. The language is plain and easy, and takes care to explain technical terms. In addition to some up-front info on interfacings and fabric selection, each chapter is devoted to a clothing piece -- jackets, pants, vests, dresses, etc., and is chock-full of specific walk-me-through-the-steps instructions on how to do this or that part of a garment in a better, faster, or more specialized way. Lots of great tips for customizing pieces, too, and lots of examples of pieces that Sandra has made, with a "how I made this" explanation. Also, she occasionally deconstructs ready-to-wear and couture pieces as a way of showing different options for different effects. The only critique I have is that Betzina's self-promotion is a little heavy-handed, though not offensive.

The title might lead you to think this is a way to sew like store-bought, with tricks and tips to do it all faster and better. Not! With the cost of her patterns, the double and triple sample make-up before you actually cut the fabric you wish to make an item out of, this is only for emulating stores where clothes cost the same as my car. There are helpful tips and tricks but they won't make anything faster or easier; they probably will make the end result better, however and that is worthwhile.

This book has some great tips, but it is for a rather advanced sewer. I'm certainly not a beginner, but I was hoping for some basic instruction, like how much fabric you should buy to make your own bias tape. I did like the zipper techniques, and have used them successfully. I thought way too much time was spent on vests. If you like Betzina's style and want to emulate it, you will probably get more from this book than I did.

This book is fabulous for sewers. She even explains how to alter ready-to-wear clothes you already have. If there is a crease under the waistband in the back iof your jeans..here is the problem, and here is what you doDo you have "smile" lines in the front or the back of your pants..here is the problem and how to correct it forever.I got out my jeans and fixed the problem immediately and this information..on all kinds of clothes I already own and am about to make has proved to be so useful..you cannot begin to imagine