Maresh - Sewing For Dummies

Sewing For Dummies, 3rd Edition

by Jan Saunders Maresh

Sewing For Dummies, 3rd Edition

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Copyright 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2010930968

ISBN: 978-0-470-62320-6

Manufactured in the United States of America

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About the Author

Jan Saunders Maresh is a nationally known sewing journalist, interior redesigner, and certified staging professional. After graduating from Adrian College in Michigan, she became the education director of one of the largest sewing machine companies in the country, and then the director of consumer education for the largest fabric chain in the country. Both professional experiences give her a solid foundation in the home sewing industry, which she continues to serve with her many writing, marketing, and industry consulting projects.

In addition to writing for several home sewing publications, she is a best-selling author for several publishers, with 16 books to her credit. Her most recent title is Home Staging For Dummies (Wiley) which she co-authored with Christine Rae. Many of her titles have been chosen as main selections for the Crafters Choice Collection, a division of the Book-of-the-Month Club.

To promote her projects, Jan has been a frequent guest on several PBS television shows. Jan has also made regular appearances on the Home Shopping Network and is the local expert featuring lifestyle tips and decorating techniques in western Massachusetts.

When shes not writing, Jan keeps busy teaching and motivating consumers to create beautiful and sustainable homes. Shes also a Certified Trainer for the Live Green Live Smart Institute. Since being transferred to New England, Jans latest venture has been renovating a 1959 ranch with her husband, using all the green and sustainable renovation products and practices the industry (and their budget) has to offer.

Jan currently resides in Longmeadow, Massachusetts (near Springfield), with her husband, dog, and a collection of books, sewing equipment, fabric, and green building products stashed neatly in every available corner of her home.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my husband, Ted Maresh, and son, Todd Moser. After so many nights of pizza and cereal for dinner, they deserve all the credit for putting up with my crazy writing projects all these years. Thanks, guys.

Authors Acknowledgments

At age 7, I learned to sew under the watchful eye of my grandmother. When I had finished hand-stitching the set-in sleeves of a doll jacket, I cried and cried because it didnt look right. Grandma gently took the jacket from me and turned the sleeves inside out. It was a miracle the jacket looked just like the one in the store. From that moment on, I was hooked on sewing. Its been an intimate part of who I am ever since. Thank you, Grandma, for being my first teacher.

A big-time thank you also goes to my parents, Ray and Bernice Saunders. Although I grew up on a strict budget, there was always money for fabric and plenty of praise for my handmade creations. Dad is gone now, but Im sure the many hours of looking over his civil-engineer shoulders as he reviewed the latest blueprints for the job helped me think three-dimensionally crucial for what I do today.

I have the most wonderful network of friends who have influenced what Ive done in my life and career. You provide inspiration, knowledge, encouragement, and expertise, and I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart. Without you, this book would have been written by someone else. Thank you, Robbie Fanning, for teaching me so much about writing, sewing, and keeping life in perspective. Thank you, Jackie Dodson, for your incredible sense of humor, for your sewing help on a tight deadline, your creative genius, and friendship. Thank you, Gail Brown, for your constant encouragement and market savvy. Thank you, Karyl Garbow, for being a kindred spirit for almost 30 years. Thank you, Sue Hausmann, for your dedication to sewing education in our industry and for always sharing your wisdom with me no matter the time of day. Thank you, Judy Raymond at Simplicity Pattern Company, for your help and support of this project and for publishing and promoting the Sewing For Dummies sewing patterns. Many more people have the courage to try sewing for the first time because of your efforts. Finally, thank you Cindy Cummins at DIYStyle for your friendship and assistance with some of the projects in this book and your diligent research that makes the appendix a very helpful and up-to-date sewing resource for readers everywhere.