Sewing for the Home

This book was my first thought when someone recently asked me about learning to sew curtains. I have been sewing clothes since I was in high school (I am thirty-something now) but when I decided to create things for my home I had no idea what to do. I picked up this book at the fabric store and started with a simple comforter cover. After that success, I tried their great pillow instructions. Ever since then, I have made all of my pillowcases and pillows with an overlap closure like the one described in this book, therefore, no need for a zipper, buttons, or Velcro. The information in this book covers fabric choices, equipment, and explanations for all the stitches you will need. Instructions cover almost everything; curtains, shades, pillows, seat cushions, tablecloths, runners, napkins, comforters, pillows, and bed skirts. I would recommend this book to anyone (male/female) starting to sew for their homes.

I've been sewing for many years, and I've only made the simplest of things for my home, namely plain curtains and throw pillows. I wanted to learn to do a proper job on curtains and drapes. I bought 4 books, this being one of them. This book is an absolute great starter. Learn right away what kind of tools you will need, how to measure the windows, what kind of stitches you will need to use, just all kinds of fabulous get-down-to-basics information. Then learn how to properly construct your curtains. This book includes basic curtains and drapes, shades, decorator pillows, table fashions and finally shower curtains and comforter covers and bedskirts. Projects are well photographed and detailed. If you are a novice sewer or just want reference materials for your sewing library, this book and the next book, "More Sewing For The Home", are a great place to start. The second book covers things the first did not, and the projects are a little more sophisticated. I highly recommend both books.

I bought my first house six months ago. My house needs curtains, seat cushions, wall hangings. And I'm new to all of this; while I'm just-past-novice at sewing and quilting, I've never even paid attention to how one constructs a pillow. As a result, I've looked at several books about home decor, and I've bought a few. So far, this book has helped more than the rest of 'em put together. First, it doesn't try to make you a specialist. I don't need to make curtains in dozens of styles; I just want to make a few ordinary ones that look nice. By separating the book into sections, I get the most common designs without the advanced stuff I don't expect to need, and I don't have to buy four books. (Well, I probably wouldn't have bought one for tables, anyway.) Another advantage to its lack of specialization is that it includes a few items you wouldn't find elsewhere, such as instructions for making a shower curtain. As it happens, I'd already finished that project before I got this book, but these would have helped me just as well. (As an aside: after making a shower curtain from scratch, I'd never buy another one. It's so easy, and it looks wonderful.) Also, this book gives very clear instructions, with photos that really DO show the process. It also doesn't make assumptions about your sewing skill, or your comfort with the equipment. For me, the "Aha!" moment came when it explained that it may be helpful to use a walking foot (more commonly used in quilting) to deal with heavy or bulky fabrics. I'd already ripped out the seams on a seat cushion *twice* by the time I read that, and had become disheartened with the project. Armed with that single bit of knowledge, the project was finished in a weekend. I've another cushion project to start -- my husband is building a window seat -- and then it's time to begin on the curtains and window shades. I did buy a few curtain-specific books, but I suspect I'll turn to this one first.

This book is fantastic! It covers how-tos on all the basics! My experience with these kinds of books is that they'll show you how to make ruffled valances and rosette pillows, but never cover the basics, like how to make a cloth shade or a simple removable pillow case (ie. sans buttons and zippers which can intimidate the beginner). This book has it all, and also great hints for making the kinds of minor modifications that make a pillow/curtain truly "special." The best home deco sewing book I've seen.

This is a very helpful book for beginers as well as experienced sewers. Instructions are easy to follow, pictures are excellent. This book covers how to make a variety of home decor items such as drapes,shades,cornices,pillows, table linens and bed ensembles. Plus hints for professional look.