Sewing book

[new-xero.livejournal.com]

I'm a beginner sewer. I can do basic mending and such. I'd like to learn more about sewing, so I can alter some clothing I have, and possibly make my own skirts. Do you have a specific sewing book that you swear by? I'm looking for something that is beginner friendly, and covers all areas. Possibly something that shows illustrations too, so I can see exactly what they are trying to explain. Thanks in advance :)
Also, do you know of any lightweight sewing machine that is of decent quality? I work at nights and have a lot of down time, so I would like a machine that isn't a pain in the butt to transfer back and forth.

Comments

[lolita-lin-lin.livejournal.com]

I wish I could write more, but I need to go to bed. >< Here is a cute, inexpensive machine. It has all the basics, and it light. Though I'd say send the extra $40 and buy the bigger one. It beens to have better quality.

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-3/qid=1158816596/ref=sr_1_3/601-1803347-0415315?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B000B91G3U

[oooshiny.livejournal.com]

I borrowed a lot of books from the library, but the one book that was the best resource for me (in terms of explaining construction and various techniques for both machine and hand sewing) was Better Homes and Gardens Sewing Book (http://www.amazon.com/Better-Homes-Gardens-Sewing-Book/dp/B000FMZP08/sr=8-1/qid=1158818103/ref=sr_1_1/104-3436861-0324703?ie=UTF8&s=books).

It explained shirring, ruffling, and general sewing really well. I am still waiting for my machine. T_T Best thing is that the book is cheap used. The children's section is really cute too, cute pictures of girls in dresses and explaining what is best for which body types and how trim can be applied to outfits etc. =)

[kawaii-mon.livejournal.com]

The Vogue/Butterick "Step by Step Sewing Techniques" is an excellent reference book to have. It lists everything in alphabetical order, and shows you more than one technique for most things. I've been sewing since I was a little girl, and I still use this book to help me whenever I can't get my head around how to do certain things.

[maryshmary.livejournal.com]

my favorite sewing books are vintage actually. i have vogue sewing book and i hate it. the vintage books are from the 50's and 60's and have everything explained very easily and the pictures are cute. i think they all came from thrift stores, but im not sure since my mom gave them to me a while ago.

[miss-merrimack.livejournal.com]

I have the Reader's Digest New Complete Guide to Sewing, and I love it. Everything's well illustrated and clearly explained. I bought it because my school uses it as a textbook for their basic construction class, but it's a really good resource and I use it all the time.

I also have the Singer Sewing Book from the 1950s. It explains more hand-sewing techniques, and techniques that can be done on a sewing machine that doesn't have many stitch options. I'd reccomend this one if you get an older machine, or a very simple one that only has straight and zigzag stitch.

[nerorizim.livejournal.com]

i second this i think that that Reader's Digest one is awesome >D