[.ca] Sew Fast, Sew Easy: All You Need To Know When You Start ... (ISBN 0312269099)

Buy It:
I did not know how to use a sewing machine at all. My husband bought me a machine and I turned to this book for help. Within 2 hours I sewed a pillow case. 2 hours after that I sewed a pair of curtains for my bathroom. This book was a tremendous help.

You will sew both fast and easy. You'll be amazed.:
This book is absolutely wonderful. I never thought I'd learn to sew and was a bit worried when I got a machine and figured I'd try to learn with a book or on my own. With this book I have learned how to make the pillow, bag and skirt she shows in the book. I am addicted to making the skirt and now even have the confidence to try some other things and use other books. I wish I had found this book sooner and wish I could take one of her classes. If you are just learning to sew, but this book first. You will really surprise yourself.

Not for true beginners:
After reading all these reviews I had high hopes for this book. I was indeed attracted by its fun and simple design and layout. The book has a lot of good information in it, but unfortunately I didn't find the explanations all that simple for a true beginner. As a "sewing machine virgin", I needed a lot of help to complete the projects. I found some confusing mistakes between the pictures and the text, or the pictures and the patterns. The pictures are all different shades of purple, so it's not always that easy to figure out which is the right and wrong side of the fabric, etc. I found the piping (I didn't even know what piping was, and I had to ask the sales clerk) on the cushion much too difficult to sew for a first project because it requires some precision. The skirt project doesn't explain what to do if your tapering didn't go right the first time. These are just a few examples. All in all, it's a good book if you've done a little sewing before or if you like to jump into the action and can read between the lines. Otherwise, buy a more complete book first and get this one next.

Great Book!:
I bought this book because I read good reviews of it online. I bought a sewing machine after getting the book and used it to teach myself how to sew. I had no help at all except for the book. The projects were easy and very stylish. I've completed all the projects and just wish that I lived in NYC so that I could take lessons from the store. Check out their website. Buy this book and no other!!!

Face to Face:
I have taken classes with Elissa. I was so inspired byher I purchased her book. It guided me the way to really comprehend the materials. Plus, its a great reference book to have when you leave the machine for a few weeks.