Sewing is no longer the preserve of grandmothers & aunties. The popularity of vintage clothing & brands such as Cath Kidston have led to a revival of make do & mend, & people of all ages are getting creative. This Haynes Manual starts with the basic kit & techniques before introducing fastenings, embellishments, clothing & home furnishings, as well as debunking sewing machine jargon & advising on care & maintenance. Accompanied by illustrated step-by-step projects, this manual is a must for anyone looking to take up this already popular pastime. Essential kit: different varieties of scissors, needles, measures, markers, pins & advanced tools. Sewing machines: choosing one, the functions & terms, specialist machines, how they work, setting tension, care & maintenance. Fabrics: varieties, properties, patterns & preparing for sewing.
Materials: threads, stitches, webbing, interfacing, wadding & stuffing. Techniques: straight sewing, curves & corners, seam allowance, starting & finishing. Fastenings: zips, buttons, Velcro, & hooks & eyes. Techniques: trims, edgings, pleats, gathers & tucks. Embellishment & customisation: embroidery, appliqu, Suffolk Puffs, beads & sequins. Clothing & dressmaking: sizing, patterns, darts, hems, pockets, waistlines, collars, sleeves, linings & mending clothes. Home furnishings: curtains, blinds, cushions & quilts. Step-by-step projects: embroidered napkin set, appliqu phone case, wrap scarf, snap-frame purse, envelope cushion cover, no-pattern skirt & bunting.