Power Sewing Step-By-Step

This is NOT a book for beginning sewers - the writer assumes you know the basics of sewing and garment construction. I love all of the ways she shows how to make clothing special - Sandra's examples are classy, but not fussy. There are a lot of useful things like different ways to improve your zipper installation, classier facings, linings (Like WHY to line pants, for instance), easy bound buttonholes, nicer hems, when you should take the time to hand sew, when you can cheat... Basically she is teaching the reader how to make ordinary home-sewn clothing extraordinary using the best techniques. Good section on improving fit, pretty much all useful info.

Having sewn since I was an 8-year-old 4-H-er, (more than half a century ago!) but now experiencing arthritic hands and much less time to sew, I find Sandra's tips and descriptions are extremely helpful. She recommends interfacings and linings by brand name and suggests, in great detail, ways to prepare and use current fibers. Though experienced in classic tailoring, I find her tips most useful and am expanding my library with her books just to improve my techniques. Thank you, Sandra, for permitting me to continue to show creativity - more easily!

This book is a must for sewers of all levels. I wish this would have been available when I was teaching sewing to adults. Ms. Betzina is clear on all instructions, and has obviously put in an extrodinary amount of time sharing her expertise with us. Along with Fabric Savvy, all sewers would benefit from the tips and wonderful photos.

Being a Sandra Betzina fan with two of her books already, I had to have this one . The book is fabulous - hard-back, spiral bound, multiple clear color pictures, easy to read print, and the book size is very comfortable to handle. Instructions are clear and pictures are referenced by step-number to the project instuctions. Full of tips and sewing alternatives for vests, pants, skirts, dresses and jackets...some are simple...some more complex and challenging, but with the understandable directions given, anyone who sews can have their finished project look so professional! Have read the entire book through once - just like a novel - and continue to spot read certain areas...have already learned many new techniques. If you love to sew and want to improve your skill level, learn new techniques, and make clothes that fit, this is the book to buy.

If you could hire a personal sewing trainer, I think the coach would be like this book. It is inspiring, clear in its direction and entertaining. The photographs are beautiful and the garments are elegant. I think anyone from a novice to an expert will find this book useful. I especially liked the ideas for details that will make a garment special without being overly fussy and crafty. Sandra Betzina also covers wardrobing, fabric selection, fitting and interestingly, how to tell when a garment is not working and to leave it behind without guilt. I was glued to this book till I'd read it cover to cover.