Sewing for Dummies

Jan Saunders Maresh is a nationally recognized sewing authority, educator, and journalist. She has worked as the Education Director for the White Sewing Machine Company and the Director of Consumer Education for JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts. She's the best-selling author of 19 books covering the many aspects of sewing and instruction.

Foreword xiii
Introduction 1
About This Book 1
Foolish Assumptions 3
Icons Used in This Book 3
Beyond the Book 4
Where to Go from Here 4
Part 1: Ready set sew! 5
Chapter 1: The World of Sewing from 30,000 Feet 7
Chapter 2: Tooling Around: Assembling Your Sewing Kit 19
Chapter 3: Fabrics, Findings, and Interfacings ... Oh My! 43
Chapter 4: Pondering Patterns in the 21st Century 61
Part 2: Going to Sewing School: Getting the Hang of the Basic Skills 87
Chapter 5: Taking the First Steps of Your Sewing Adventure 89
Chapter 6: Securing Sensational Seams 117
Chapter 7: Hemming Almost Anything by Hand and Machine 147
Chapter 8: Playing Around: Sewing for Kids, Pets, and the Kid in You 163
Part 3: Strutting the Runway: Fashion Sewing 101 191
Chapter 9: Shaping Your Silhouette 193
Chapter 10: Zip It Button It Close It 213
Chapter 11: What is Up Your Sleeves? 235
Chapter 12: Pockets: More Than Just a Place to Put Your Hands 255
Part 4: Casa Couture: Sewing for Your Home 269
Chapter 13: Decorating on Demand: Home Décor Sewing 271
Chapter 14: Tablescaping with Terrific Table Toppers 279
Chapter 15: Personalizing Praiseworthy Pillows 291
Chapter 16: Brightening Up Your Bedroom 311
Part 5: Makeover Magic: Mending, Alterations, and Quick Fixes for a Sustainable Wardrobe 327
Chapter 17: Fitting Finesse: Altering Clothes for All Shapes and Sizes 329
Chapter 18: Sewing SOS: "Help, I Ripped My ______" 347
Chapter 19: Sustainable Restyling: Giving Existing Garments New Life 365
Part 6: the Part of Tens 385
Chapter 20: Ten Rookie Sewing Mistakes to Avoid 387
Chapter 21: Ten Tips for Buying and Maintaining a Sewing Machine and Serger 393
Chapter 22: Ten ABCs of Sewing 401
Index 407