sewing The Essential
Guide to Teaching
Yourself to Sew
made simple
Editors of Threads
sewing
made simple
sewing The Essential
Guide to Teaching
Yourself to Sew
made simple
Editors of Threads
Text © 2013 by The Taunton Press, Inc.
Illustrations © 2013 by The Taunton Press, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Pp
The Taunton Press, Inc.,
63 South Main Street,
PO Box 5506,
Newtown, CT 06470-5506
e-mail: tp@[Link]
Editors: Sarah Rutledge Gorman and Renee Iwaszkiewicz Neiger
Copy editor: Candace B. Levy
Indexer: Cathy Goddard
Cover and interior design: Laura Palese
Layout: Susan Lampe Wilson
Illustrators: Casey Lukatz and Christine Erikson
Threads® is a trademark of The Taunton Press, Inc.,
registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
The following names/manufacturers appearing in
Threads Sewing Made Simple are trademarks:
Dacron®, Dupioni®, Ethafoam®, Lycra®, Microtex®,
Polarfleece®, Tencel®, Ultrasuede®
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Threads sewing made simple : the essential guide to
teaching yourself to sew / Editors of Threads.
pages cm
Includes index.
E-Book ISBN 978-1-62710-397-8
1. Sewing--Handbooks, manuals, etc. I. Threads magazine.
II. Title: Sewing made simple.
TT705.T495 2013
646’.19--dc23
2013013866
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
dedication
For people who love to sew
acknowledgments
Thanks to Sarah Rutledge Gorman for combing
through the Threads archive and selecting information
that is most helpful to those learning to sew.
She skillfully organized it with the help of her editor,
Renee Neiger. Thanks to the Taunton Press book staff
and everyone who worked so hard to make this book
look as good as it does.
Special thanks to all of our Threads authors,
contributors, and editors. Without you, this book would
not have been possible.
contents
INTRODUCTION 3
chapter 1: getting started 4
Setting Up Your Sewing Space 6
Tools and Supplies 10
Sewing Machines 22
Fabrics 27
Threads 34
Hand Stitches 36
Machine Stitches 40
Basic Machine Sewing 42
Hemming 50
Pressing 57
chapter 2: pattern-free projects 64
Good to Start With 66
Sundress 66
Placemat Purse 68
When You’re Getting Comfortable 70
Reversible Chair Covers 70
Flouncy Tee 74
One-Rectangle Dress 76
If You’re Feeling Inspired 78
Convertible Dress 78
Four-Rectangle Tunic 82
Gypsy Skirt 84
Floor Cushion 88
chapter 3: working with patterns 92
Understanding Patterns 94
Reading a Pattern 100
Ease: It’s Easy 104
Getting Your Grain 108
Pinning 112
Working with a Dress Form 114
chapter 4: patterned projects 120
Good to Start With 122
Silk Scarf 122
Grecian Tank 124
Wrap Dress 126
When You’re Getting Comfortable 130
Recycled-Sweater Mittens 130
Classic Aprons 136
Blanket Coat 140
Pajama Pants 144
If You’re Feeling Inspired 148
Stylish Wrap 148
Boxy Tee 150
GLOSSARY OF SEWING TERMS 156
CONTRIBUTORS 160
RESOURCES 162
METRIC EQUIVALENTS 164
PHOTOGRAPHER & ILLUSTRATOR CREDITS 165
INDEX 166
2
pattern-
free
projects
Sewing without a pattern is the perfect way to get your feet wet
without having to follow too many instructions and guidelines.
With some basic tools and fabric, you can sew a garment with
little fitting and no fuss.
the usual
suspects
❑ Fabric
This chapter is divided into three sections: “Good to Start With,” “When ❑ Matching thread
You’re Getting Comfortable,” and “If You’re Feeling Inspired.” You can work ❑ Measuring tools
(ruler, measuring
your way from the simpler projects to the more challenging ones, or just dive tape, seam
into the first one that catches your eye. gauge, yardstick,
French curve)
All sewing projects, no matter how easy or complex, require the same ❑ Cutting tools
basic stuff. We call these supplies “The Usual Suspects.” You won’t use (shears, scissors,
rotary cutter and
every tool for every project; read ahead, as you would with a recipe, to see mat, seam ripper)
what’s needed. ❑ Needles and
pins (thimble,
pincushion,
beeswax)
❑ Iron
65