Seamwork's Favorite Sewing Books

[@vickifenlon2235]

That readers digest book is one of my favorites!

[@SeamworkVideo]

It's a great book!

[@taramiller3236]

I know this is old but do you guys think the reader's digest book is the best book for beginners? I'm starting to sew with very little experience. Thanks!

[@SewDIY]

Great recommendations! I got the Reader's Digest for Christmas in the late 90s and it's awesome. If I ever need a reminder on how to do something, it's the book I go to. I also just bought Fast Fit and have really been enjoying it.

[@karynsettles9104]

Love the Readers Digest Guide! I’ve had it for 30 years or more. It had helped me with so many techniques!

[@carolewhitten941]

I looked through some books I had left over from some college classes I took at Canada College in the 90s and I found the 1987 edition of Patternmaking for Fashion Design. It does have a great chapter on fitting. I am having great fun reviewing all that stuff.

[@tishie42]

Oh I love this! It's not just a book list but actual favorite books from people we know. Awesome! Most of these books are on thrift books as well. Even better! Thank you. 💚💚I have the entire Singer reference library, an amazing resource, especially the book dedicated to pants. Claire Schaeffer books are also excellent resources. And I like how your choices aren't necessarily all brand new, like it was said, it's the techniques that don't change, just the styles. Proof that sewing is ageless and timeless to me!

[@annemariedraganowski6182]

Thanks, Seamwork! This was a fun and informative episode.

[@SeamworkVideo]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Karlaginger]

So glad for this video!!! I have been looking for a fitting book for sooo long! Thank You!

[@SeamworkVideo]

You are so welcome!

[@helenk5355]

Yep, I inherited my mother's RD Sewing book. The same one I used to go through as a little gal! AND I've the Patternmaking for Fashion Design from my college class!

[@pamici1]

Great video! I'm just starting my library, but this is a big start

[@msnannymac]

Haley --could you verify the edition of the Helen Joseph-Armstrong Pattern-making book that has the fitting section? I looked at the TOC of the 5th edition and it doesn't not have a fit section. The 1987 edition you mention is the 1st edition. I do not find a 7th edition. Thanks so much!

[@SeamworkVideo]

Whoops! Haley just double checked and she did in fact mix up the editions. She learned on the 5th edition but the 1st is what she recommends! I'll update the description with this info too. Good catch!

[@nataliefbehler]

I just checked out the newest edition (2011) of Reader's Digest book from the library! I've seen a number of sewing books on online secondhand booksellers (eg, Abebooks), which has been great with quarantine. Thanks for sharing :)

[@SeamworkVideo]

Great idea to see if your local library has any of these books! Thanks!

[@KathleenADonohue]

Oh I bought that 5th edition of Helen Joseph Armstrong - I’d graduated from fashion school right before it came out. I absolutely could not afford it at the time but I splurged anyway and ate ramen for a month or so. No regrets.

[@joniibryant6462]

I have that Reader's Digest Sewing book too! I also have their Needlecrafts book both of which I thrifted copies of but I know about because both my Gram and my mom had copies. It's not a sewing book, per se, but I really love the book A Field Guide to Fabric Design by Kimberly Kight. I actually think it's a good reference for hobbyists that want to design their own fabric at Spoonflower or similar places. Design It Yourself Clothes: Patternmaking Simplified by Cal Patch is also a great entry level book for those looking to make their own patterns. I judged both of these on the fact that I've actually read them all the way through and not just flipped to the interesting bits! I love Sienna's top! Is it a Seamwork pattern?

[@SeamworkVideo]

Great recommendations! Thanks so much for sharing! It's not a Seamwork pattern, it's the Georgia top pattern by Elizabeth Suzann, but it's super similar to the Seamwork Bo!

[@cazkiwinz4300]

I have both the RD’s Sewing and Needlecraft books as well, also thrifted but both in almost perfect condition…. And only cost NZD $2 each, I was chuffed to find them at the op shop! Unfortunately I don’t really use them as I make bags not clothes… but I still love having them looking pretty on my shelf!

[@pamelacahill1190]

It would be really helpful if each of these books were listed by title and author somewhere. You did a nice job presenting them, but I often missed the full title and/or author, making it difficult to find and then purchase the book ourselves.

[@SeamworkVideo]

All of the titles and authors are now listed in the description!

[@nenengalma]

fantastic thank you for sharing

[@teresitadelrosario9261]

Hello Po I'm interested to complete guide to sewing book❤️😊

[@leodumont18]

Too bad you didn't tell us the IBSN #. It's a small thing, but essential when looking for a book. I have a stack of books, which I use for different things. A quilting book won't help me fit. A fit book won't help me quilt. I tend to buy books for specific projects...like tailoring, or kids clothes... I turn to David Coffin when I'm making a shirt ISBN-13: 978-1-56158-2 What I'd like to see. How to put darts in a Bo. How to do dart manipulation. It's probably time to do one on Machine Maintenance. Fit is always a good topic.