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Sewing

Sewing is one of those crafts that once you get started, you can change your world: you can make clothes that actually fit, pillows and curtains the exact color you want, beautiful gifts for your friends and family… and so much more!

Selected Books

Power sewing step-by-step
Betzina, Sandra
Power sewing step-by-step
qTT515.B48 2000
 
Patternreview.com: 1,000 Clever Sewing Shortcuts and Tips
Prakash, Deepika
Patternreview.com: 1,000 Clever Sewing Shortcuts and Tips : Top-Rated Favorites from Sewing Fans and Master Teachers
Prakash has collected sewing tips from her website: patternreview.com, where 244,185 sewers collaborate, share and discuss the projects they have been working on.
 
Sewing basics
Gardiner, Wendy
Sewing Basics: All You Need to Know to Begin Sewing Clothes and Home Furnishings
qTT713.G37 2003
The dozen projects are preceded by detailed, illustrated sections on materials, essential equipment, and basic techniques.
 
Me and My Sewing Machine
Haxell, Kate.
Me and My Sewing Machine: A Beginner's Guide
TT713.H375 2010x
Learn how to make different kinds of seams, hems, fasteners and bindings, as well as when and why to use each kind. Find your perfect signature style with fanciful finishing techniques like ruffles, pleats, ribbons and applique.
 
Sew Retro
Ketteler, Judi
Sew Retro: 25 Vintage-Inspired Projects for the Modern Girl and A Stylish History of the Sewing Revolution
TT713.K47 2010
This fun, inspirational book uncovers sewing's colorful history, from the introduction of the sewing machine to the modern DIY movement.
 
Sewing for dummies
Maresh, Janice Saunders
Sewing for Dummies
TT705.S336 2010x
Now in its 3rd edition, this book is both for beginners and experienced sewers.
 
Couture Sewing Techniques
Maynard, Lynda
Couture Sewing Techniques: The Dressmaker's Handbook of Couture Sewing Techniques: Essential Step-by-Step Techniques for Professional Results
Packed with essential, step-by-step professional techniques and tips, this guide takes the mystery out of the sewing and finishing techniques that many dressmakers assume are either extremely difficult or are only for professional fashion designers.
 
A Is For Apron
Mornu, Nathalie
A Is For Apron: 25 fresh & flirty designs
TT546.5.M67 2008
Do you know a cook that would love an apron for a present?
 
The New Complete Guide to Sewing
The New Complete Guide to Sewing: Step-by-Step Techniquest for Making Clothes and Home Accessories
TT705.N48 2011
This is a new updated version of the Readers' Digest reference book for both beginners and seasoned sewers, including thousands of illustrations and diagrams for each stage of the sewing process.
 
Switch Craft
Lewis, Alison with Fang-Yu Lin
Switch Craft: Battery-Powered Crafts to Make and Sew
TT713.L49 2008
Oh my! Take a look at this! Switch Craft takes the nerdiness out of electronics and puts it to use in cool, functional sewing projects like the Shiny Clutch that lights up when you open it or the WiFi-Finder Laptop Sleeve that tells you when you're within wi-fi range. Here are some projects that you can do with your significant other!
 
Sew U Home Stretch
Mullin, Wendy
Sew U Home Stretch: The Built by Wendy Guide to Sewing Knit Fabrics
TT713.M847 2008
Fresh on the heels of her first book, Sew U, which focused on sewing with woven fabrics, Wendy will now teach the creatively inclined how to make perfect t-shirts, dresses, and hoodies, all with soft knit fabric. Anyone who has sewn with knits can tell you that knits behave very differently from woven fabrics.
 
The Sewing Machine Attachment Handbook
Phillips, Charlene
The Sewing Machine Attachment Handbook
TT713.P53 2009
Didn't you always want to know what all those attachments that came with your sewing machine were for?
 
Singer: the complete photo guide to sewing
(Singer:) The Complete Photo Guide to Sewing
q TT713.C63 2009
This revised edition features 1200 full-color how-to photos. A reference book for both beginner and expert.
 
The Sewing Book
Smith, Alison
The Sewing Book: An Encyclopedic Resource of Step-by-Step Techniques
q TT705.S577 2009x
Alison Smith runs a sewing school in Britain and offers a comprehensive book of sewing techniques and tools.
 
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Videos

Cool Stuff to Sew with Sara
(DVD) TT713.C663 2009x
Sara Trail demonstrates how to sew a denim hand bag, a wallet, and a tote bag from recycled jeans. Check out more on her website: Sew Sara Sew.
 
Easy Zippers: What Every Sewing Enthusiast Needs to Know from A to Zip!
(DVD) TT713.E373 2007x
This video presents five different techniques for adding zippers to garments without pins or basting, covering: right and wrong zipper feet; slot zipper; lap zipper; invisible zipper; traditional fly zipper; mock fly zipper.
 
Galaxy of Sewing Techniques
(DVD) TT713.G353 2007x vol. 1-4
A Four DVD collection that demonstrates various machine sewing techniques.
 
Industrial Shortcuts I for Home Sewing
(DVD) TT713.I533 2004x
Presents a variety of machine sewing techniques, covering: cutting; sewing machine basics; curves and crimping; pockets; darts; zippers and waistbands; no-bulk back neck zipper openings (lapped zippers); crossing bulky seams; simple and double mitered bindings. Islander Sewing Systems I is the companion book.
 
Pants, etc!: Draw your own Pant Pattern for a Custom Fit!
(DVD) TT542.P363 2004x
Do you long for pants that actually fit you? Check out this DVD for help.
 
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Browse the Catalog

For additional titles, browse the library catalog under the subjects:

You can also browse under the series title:

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Web Sites

  • AllFreeSewing
    Check here for easy sewing projects and projects using old sweaters, socks, etc. Great for recycling.
  • American Sewing Guild
    The American Sewing Guild is a nonprofit organization for sewing enthusiasts, incorporated in 1993, that now has over 20,000 members with 130 chapters across the nation, including one in Pittsburgh.
  • PatternReview.com
    PatternReview.com is used by 244,185 sewers to collaborate, share and discuss the projects they have been working on, or are planning to work on. It catalogs and describes sewers experiences and opinions in a structured way so that you can quickly and easily find the information they are looking for.
  • Sewing.org
    This website by the Home Sewing Association (a nonprofit organization of manufacturers, suppliers and retailers) offers a Sewing Enthusiast section with sewing projects.
  • Threads Magazine
    The website of this Taunton publication offers a few articles to get you started as well as a preview of the articles in the print publication.

Sewing Machines

  • Bernina
    Their website offers a newsletter and a blog.
  • Husqvarna Viking
    This manufacturer's site will give you specifications for their machines.
  • Singer
    Includes a section on "Choose the right machine," as well as specifications for its machines.
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Pittsburgh Region