Table Of ContentSEWING
MADE SIMPLE
FROM SEWING BOX TO SEWING MACHINE:
FASHION AND FURNISHING TECHNIQUES EXPLAINED
TESSA EVELEGH
WITH PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL WICKS
SEWiNG HADE SIMPLE is an inspiring and enlightening
introduction to an incredibly useful and enjoyable skill.
Filled with clear instructions and clever tips, it demystifies
the subject and provides a wealth of know-how that will
give you the confidence to make and customize clothes,
accessories and home furnishings.
Whether you haven’t used a sewing machine since your
school days or you just need a helping hand to master
some of the trickier techniques, Sewing Made Simple has
it covered. From stitching neat seams and inserting zips
to basic quilting and embellishing, Tessa Evelegh presents
key techniques in an accessible way and reveals some
tried-and-tested tricks and shortcuts to help you achieve
professional results.
The ficsr five chapters introduce you to all the materials,
equipment and tools you will need for sewing success.
'The Sowing Box’ explains all the different threads, pins,
needtes, scissors and haberdashery delights. ‘The Secrets
of Sc . •r.g-Machine Success’ guides you around your
macr. and all its accessories, and includes a useful
section on troubleshooting to ensure you achieve the
best results. ‘Stitch Craft’ teaches you the essential hand-
and m&dn ne-stitches - the building blocks of any sewing
project The Paper Pattern’ explains how patterns work
and how :o use and adapt them for expert dressmaking.
‘Fabnc Choices’ reveals how to select the most appropriate
fabrics for your project, taking into account colour, pattern,
competition and weave.
The chapter, ‘Basic Sewing Skills’, shows you how
it’s done, with the essential techniques for making
almost, anything, explained in plain and simple terms -
from sewing on buttons and stitching darts to applique
and piping. Interspersed are 20 gorgeous projects for
garments and home furnishings that will help you to
consolidate your skills. The projects range from a simple
bias-cut drawstring skirt and tailored cushion to a more
complicated apron and lined tote, and include useful
basics such as a classic curtain, blind, child's dress and
customized '-shirt that every teen will want to try.
Beautifully illustrated with photographs and step-by-step
colour illustrations, Sewing Made Simple will prove to
be an indispensable resource that you will refer to time
and time again.
ISBN: 903 ! 906417 65 9 £25.00
C701012391
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SEWING
MADE SIMPLE
FROM SEWING BOX TO SEWING MACHINE:
FASHION AND FURNISHING TECHNIQUES EXPLAINED
SEWING
MADE SIMPLE
FROM SEWING BOX TO SEWING MACHINE:
FASHION AND FURNISHING TECHNIQUES EXPLAINED
TESSA EVELEGH
with photography by Michael Wicks
First published in 2012 by Jacqui Small LLP
an imprint of Aurum Press Ltd
7 Greenland Street
London NW1 OND
Text and projects copyright © Tessa Evelegh 2012
Photography, illustrations, design and layout copyright
© Jacqui Small LLP 2012
The author's moral rights have been asserted.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted,
in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic,
magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording
or otherwise, without prior permission in writing
from the Publisher.
All patterns and projects in this book must only be reproduced
for personal use and not for commercial purposes.
ISBN: 978 1 906417 65 9
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
2014 2013 2012
10 987654321
Printed in Singapore
publisher Jacqui Small
editorial manager Kerenza Swift
project editor Zia Mattocks
art director Sarah Rock
photographer Michael Wicks
illustrator Kate Simunek
production Peter Colley
contents
6 INTRODUCTION 107 enclosed seams
8 for the love of sewing no project: pyjama bottoms
12 THE SEWING BOX 113 shaping and contouring: darts
14 tools of the trade 116 project: camisole
20 notions: putting it together
24 notions: fastening it 120 gathering and easing
30 notions: trimming it 123 project: sweetest sundress
126 project: classic curtains
36 THE SECRETS OF SEWING-MACHINE SUCCESS
38 sewing-machine anatomy 129 fastenings
42 starting off 134 project: washbag
140 project: tailored cushion
44 STITCH CRAFT 149 project: drawstring bag
46 essential stitches
152 trimmings
50 THE PAPER PATTERN 156 project: bolster
52 the envelope inside and out 162 project: customized t-shirt
54 taking measurements 164 project: vintage apron
56 using the pattern 169 project: pretty cushion
62 pattern marking
172 embellishments
64 FABRIC CHOICES 174 project: evening purse
66 a buyer’s guide
70 fabric construction 177 applique
72 pattern 179 project: child’s craft apron
74 cotton
76 linen 184 the perfect finish
78 silk 188 project: bias-cut drawstring skirt
80 wool 192 project: box cushion
82 synthetic fibres and mixed-fibre fabrics
84 fabric glossary 196 mitred corners
198 project: tablecloth and napkins
88 BASIC SEWING SKILLS 200 project: tablemats
90 getting started
203 quilting
91 seams 208 project: baby quilt
95 seam finishes
98 pressing 212 patterns and templates
100 project: Swedish blind 222 index
104 project: tote bag 224 suppliers and acknowledgements
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INTRODUCTION
From sewing basic seams to mastering
applique methods and inserting zippers,
this is the book that gives you all the
information you need, in plain and
simple terms, for ultimate sewing
success. Even if you start out thinking
you can’t sew, once you have learned
the basic skills and are armed with the
sewing-machine knowhow contained
in these pages, you could be surprised
at how quickly you will be able to
whizz up something that looks very
professional, from simple skirts and
dresses to cushions and curtains.
