Handsewn: The Essential Techniques for Tailoring and Embellishment

I know absolutely nothing about hand stitching. I avoid it like the plague. I purchased this book to overcome my ignorance and fear. After falling in love with the Great British Sewing Bee, I realized I needed to know how to sew by hand and I was so inspired by what the finalists were able to do without a sewing machine.So here's what I needed the book to do: cover the basic hand stitches used in garment construction: basting, slip stitch, running stitch, overcasting, tailor's tacks and hemming stitches, etc. The book does all that plus covers more. There are more than 35 "Functional Stitches" in the book. I love the large step-by-step pictures. This book has more breadth, but not necessarily depth than  The Complete Book of Sewing New Edition .Since I'm even more clueless about embellishment, the book seems awesome in this regard. Again, the large pictures are wonderful. I had no idea there were so many different types of decorative stitches and techniques. This is Chapter 3 and consists of about 40 different stitches/techniques. There's even a directory of motifs!The information on thread, needles and pins is thoughtful. Of course there is info about hoops and frames. There are a few topics in the book that are a nice surprise, but seem odd for a book on hand sewing: measuring for drapes and dressmaking, reading sewing patterns, estimating fabric requirements for dressmaking, types of zippers and info on pressing. Maybe it's just me.It's a good, solid book. It is extremely well organized. (Within each chapter and subsection, stitch are presented in order of skill level.) Buy it more for the information on decorative hand sewing.

This is SUCH a perfect hand sewing book. Just perfect.The thing is that you can either find hand sewing in the functional category or the decorative category, but then you are left to figure out for yourself where the two overlap and how this stitch is a first-cousin to that one or that one is a half-sibling to the other.This is a beautiful melding of those two worlds.I wish that they would have listed the different names of the stitches in addition to what they are calling them. They mention the use of the stitch such as a "ladder stitch is sometimes also used for x or y" but for as comprehensive as this book is they neglect this and I think it would be very useful if maybe they included it in a newer edition.So if you have read a tailor's blog where they mention a cross-stitch (not the embroidery version) to join interfacing to seam allowances, but then read another dressmaking tailor (or hear me say) to do a catch-stitch, but then don't put together that *this* book is calling both of those a *herringbone* stitch (not exactly the embroidery version) you are... well, not in trouble, really, but it would be confusing.Still and all I am THRILLED with this book. One of the most useful hand sewing books I've found. I am seriously thinking of making it part of my hand sewing workshops it is just that good.

My mother's step mother was a seamstress that worked in an exclusive dress shop in NY in the 1920's and continued with this job until retirement. Each seamstress worked on each project from start to finish. She taught and instilled the importance of impeccable hand sewing to my mother, who, in turn, taught me. I have taught my daughters who are fine seamstresses who understand the importance of hand sewing.I am currently working with a teen who desires to learn how to sew. We are starting with hand sewing, the foundation of a well made garment. I purchased this book after reading the promotion/review on Sewing Daily. I thought the book would cover aspects of hand sewing that would help present and demonstrate hand sewing to my young friend. I was sorely disappointed. I am not certain that a novice would understand the purpose and application of some of the hand sewing stitches without consulting other sources. The book covers more decorative stitches than hand sewing techniques, giving more of an introduction rather than solid instruction.I appears that Interweave press wanted an encyclopedia approach to hand sewing. As with all encyclopedias, the general information is presented, but more comprehensive sources must be researched.

Received quickly and it was exactly as anticipated

Very thorough book on stitches with color photos of each stitch. At the top corner of each page is a photo example of what the finished stitch looks like. As a novice handsewer I am thrilled to add this instructional stitch reference book to my sewing library!

There is so much information packed into this book. The stitch selector at the front of the book makes finding what you need super easy and fast. I like how the stitches are divided into sections based on their purpose. The photos are excellent, and will help if anyone finds the instructions too vague (I haven't had this problem, but in case someone else does). Overall, an excellent book for the beginner or intermediate level sewist. (No, I do not call myself or anyone else a sewer...I'd think the reason would be obvious. And I do not care what spell check says about it.)

This, in my opinion, is an absolutely wonderful book. Yes, it's true as another one-or-two reviewers have said, that some other books have even more patterns, etc. than this book. But, this book has a LOT! As much as I will ever use and more than I will ever need. I have several more books showing this information but HANDSEWN is going to be my favorite. Just great, clear pictures describing how to achieve certain stitches. A well-thought-out book. I don't see how anybody could be disappointed.

I haven't actually received my book from Amazon yet, but I had it from the library, so I feel I can review it. I thought this book would be about embroidery, for some reason. What the book is about is a lot of handsewn stiches. It also goes into how to sew on snaps and hook and eye closures in a attractive and sturdy fashion. Once I read the library copy, I knew I had to have one for my own library. It made me excited about sewing again.

I saw a review of this book on a website and preordered it. I was really pleased when it arrived ahead of the expected date and it is a much more comprehensive book than I expected from reading the review. I was expecting a paperback, but this is actually a very substantial hard backed reference book absolutely packed with information and techniques in addition to a comprehensive guide to hand stitches. I wold recommend this book to beginners and experienced stitchers and it also looks good on the coffee table!

Aimed at the relative beginner to hand embroidery, but even the more experienced would enjoy this book. Beautifully photographed & many techniques clearly explained.

This book had a later release date and has different cover artwork but it, quite simply, an exact duplicate in content to the author's other book "The complete guide to Hand Sewing and Embellishing", but this is a lot more expensive. Don't make the mistake I made and order each copy as you will be charged by Amazon for the return postage on one of the books!!

This is one of the best books on sewing I came across. I am almost a complete beginner in sewing and have seen quite a few books from our local library because I am looking for a book that will help me grasp the concept and work on my own. I first borrowed this book from the library and decided I wanted to own a copy since I think it will be useful long term.

Love this book for it's guidance and inspiration. It's a must have for sewers, embroiderers and anyone who feels inspired to do some needle work.