Elissa K. Meyrich - Sew Fast Sew Easy: All You Need to Know When You Start to Sew

Table of Contents

I want to thank all the students Ive had. They were my inspiration to write this book, which makes sewing fast and easy to learn in our busy lives. Thank you, Mrs. Goldberg, my next-door neighbor, who, when I was a child, encouraged all my curiosity about sewing, knitting, and crocheting. Thank you to my dearest friends, Martha Weissberg, Janice Harrison, and Dominic Harris, who challenged me by saying No one needs another sewing book. Carl Raymond, whose expert guidance on the book and its presentation was priceless. Dorsey Mills, who saw my vision. Georgia Rucker, for her brilliant artistic hand both on the book and on the Web site. Deborah Green, who helped organize my book, and Liz Rourke, who helped edit the book with the eyes of a beginner sewer. Julia Pastore, my editor at St. Martins Press, who got the book into its final shape and without whom this book never would have been the very best guide to sewing for beginners. Thanks to my agent, Susan Protter, who carried me through some tough times. And many thanks to the gals who work and teach in my placethey keep me in touch with our customer base and their needs while learning to sew. Thank you, Mom, for all your support.

Ever looked in a clothing store window and thought you could do that? Ever wanted to experiment with some fabric and create a design entirely your own? Ever wanted to just be able to sew your own hems? If youve ever wanted to try your hand at sewing, this is the book for you. Having taught sewing for more than fifteen years, I know all the fears and frustrations of the first-time sewerand how to solve them. Covering all of the basics, from supplies to fabrics and patterns, this step-by-step workbook will have you sewing in no timewithout fuddy-duddy, time-consuming techniques.

For me, sewing has always been a form of creative expression. I remember my first sewing machinea tiny Singer that operated by hand. I spent hours happily dressing my dolls in my own creations. A designer was born! After attending Parsons School of Design, I worked for twenty-nine years as a designer in New Yorks garment district, even owning my own sportswear company for a time. Working with expert pattern cutters, drapers, and sample makers taught me the easiest, most efficient ways to make any sewing project. Ive used those methods in classes at my Sew Fast Sew Easy shop to help hundreds experience the joys of sewing.

Students always ask me to recommend a sewing guide and I draw a blank. Too many guides contain outdated photographs, confusing directions, and are just plain boring. The Sew Fast Sew Easy workbook is my attempt to change all of that. With clear and easy-to-follow directions and illustrations, youll learn everything you need to know to sew most projects. Plus, youll have the directions and patterns necessary to create three of my favorites: an envelope pillow cover, a tote bag, and a skirt.

Once you have the ground rules down pat, it just takes practice, patience, and time to develop your skills. Youll make lots of mistakes, but thats the only way to learn. I often say to students, If I give you a pair of ballet toe shoes, could you go on point right away? Give it a chance, and I know youll find the benefits of sewing irresistible. Not only does it build confidence and self-esteem, but using your hands and your mind to create something will relax you. My greatest joy in life is being able to express myself through this craft of sewing. I hope it will be the same for you.

The first five chapters will familiarize you with the tools, terms, and techniques youll be using. Read these chapters carefully, but dont worry if everything doesnt make complete sense the first time around; it will become clearer as you actually begin to make a project. I suggest making the items in the order they appear in the workbook. Youll appreciate the practice of making a pillow cover and a tote bag before moving on to the skirt.

Before you begin, always make sure you have on hand all the supplies youll need. Being well prepared will save you lots of time. Also, be sure to read through the entire assembly method. Familiarize yourself with the process, look up any terms you dont know in the glossary, and flip back to earlier chapters to refresh your memory, if necessary. Always review the cutting rules before beginning a project.

Then, take your time and follow the assembly step-by-step. Look at the accompanying illustrations for clarification. Resist the urge to jump ahead, skip steps, or jumble the procedure. Move on only after youve fully completed a step. Dont be afraid to redo a step if it hasnt turned out quite right. And, most of all, relax and have fun.

Now, lets get started!

Your Survival Sewing Kit:

WHAT YOU NEED TO GET STARTED

With these suppliesor notions as they are frequently calledon hand, youll be able to complete most sewing projects. You should be able to find all the items in any sewing or craft store.

Scissors, an 8- to 10-inch pair.

The best kind is all metal. They will cut fabric easily and will last much longer. Remember that scissors are an extension of your own hand and are a very important tool. They must remain sharpthere is nothing more frustrating than dull scissors (dont use them to cut paperjust fabric!). The handles of the scissors are designed for you to hold them a certain way. This will help you to cut better. The longer oblong opening is for you to insert the first three fingers of your hand and the circular hole is for your thumb.

Clear ruler, 18 inches by 2 inches . A see-through ruler makes it easy to lay a pattern out correctly and to make corrections while fitting.

Tape measure. This is always a good tool to have. Youll use it to measure your body, the width of your fabric, the length of your cut you get the idea. It will also help even your hems. Make sure you buy a good-quality one that will not stretch and has measurements clearly marked on both sides, starting at opposite ends. It could have centimeters if you go shopping in Europe.

Tailors chalk, dry kind. Tailors chalk comes in many forms. You want the dry powdery kind; the marks from the greasy type cannot be removed from the fabric.

Dressmakers tracing wheel. Used with dressmakers tracing paper, it transfers markings from the pattern to your fabric.

Dressmakers tracing paper. Used with the wheel to transfer markings from the pattern or to draw new lines for alterations.

Magnetic seam guide. So simple, youll wonder why you didnt invent it. Place this nonslip power-grip magnet on your sewing machine to sew even seams. Definitely a garment industry secret!