This was one of my Mother's Day gifts from my children. One sewing book and one gardening book. I had added it to my Amazon wish list because the free chapter looked good. The book is unfortunately, disappointing on so many levels.
The photos are of poor quality and way to small to illustrate the techniques being demonstrated. There are too many photos of tools that could be better shown in one larger, clearer photo. I have no clue why she chooses to use such a shallow depth of field. It's rather irritating to have a picture of a slip with one breast in focus and the other out of focus due to that shallow depth of field she seems so fond of. It's useful when you want to isolate a portrait in the landscape to focus on the figure, but one breast in and one out of focus? None of the photos are particularly crisp which makes them less than useful.
The other issue I have with the photos is that light colored garments are shown against nearly identical background colors making what is being shown nearly indiscernible. There are some photos of patterns that are so faint as to be useless.
Then there are the garments being used to demonstrate technique. It's nearly impossible to understand from the photos what is being shown. That, and the garments aren't anywhere near being quality samples.
The chapter on adjusting your pattern for fit leaves a lot to be desired. As a full busted woman I know that adding just to the side seam at the bust is not enough. I need to add length to go over my bust so that the front doesn't hike up. Not so here. The rest of this chapter is just as lacking.
The writing is fortunately far better than the photos used and there is some useful information here. But, for me the negatives far outweigh the pluses and I can't recommend purchasing this book.It is a self published book and it would have really gained a lot if it had some professional help. If you can find the Tauntion series that's out of print with it's books on The Easy Guide to Sewing Tops and T shirts, this one is by Marcy Tilton, and Sewing Knits by Connie Long, you'll get a lot more and clearer information than is available in this book.
Have a lovely Memorial Day
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Thanks for a useful and frank review.
ReplyDeleteSue C
Thank you for writing a clear and honest review
ReplyDeleteI agree with you entirely.
ReplyDeleteI've only read the free first chapter but I agree with you on the photo quality. I noticed the similar colors with featured item(s) and background obscuring the detail. This is where her predominant color for brand recognition doesn't work.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the honest review. I have the Connie Long book and agree it a great resource for sewing knits.
Had it on my list and was going back and forth about purchasing. Thank you so much Nancy K!!!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you on the photography. Thanks for your honest review!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the review. I have a note to add for your readers who are looking for the out of print Easy Guide to Sewing Tops by Marcy Tilton. This book is included in Taunton's Easy Guide to Sewing along with two other Taunton sewing books.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your opinion. I bought the book because of all the great reviews on many blogs. I am new to knits, but knew almost all the books content already, so it really wasn't helpful. Total waste of money in my opinion. Oh well, thanks for your honesty.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Nancy, and I so appreciate your forthright viewpoint. It is great when a trusted sewing friend gives an honest opinion. Thanks so much for that.
ReplyDeleteHope your holiday is wonderful.
Well, I had decided not to go this this because I'm not new to sewing knits. Glad I'm not missing anything. The one part that intrigued me was coverstitching, but again I've had my machine awhile and am comfortable with it. The book I learned to sew knits with was the Singer series...lovely photos and clear info.
ReplyDeleteThese reviews means so much to us, especially if it keeps us from making bad purchases! Thank for your very honest opinion!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nancy! This is a perfect example of why there needs to be honest reviews. It's not very helpful if you only review things you like and are afraid to say anything negative in case someone's feelings are hurt. Obviously this book could have used a more experienced photographer just for starters.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your relevant review !
ReplyDeleteYou made me save 50$.
I had been waiting for quite some time for someone to review this book with constructive criticism, but reading yours, I see why I couldn't find much on the subject.
Well that's disappointing for you! I've decided to not buy any more sewing books, classes or videos for a while. the ones I already own, mostly Sandra Betzina's and Vogue pretty much hold all the info I need and as for the Craftsy classes! I have so many and have only watched the fitting ones by Katherine Cheetham through. They are wonderful by the way.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your honest review!
ReplyDeleteI find that most sewing books are geared toward absolute beginners, and most customers (and thus potential book buyers) of the indie pattern companies writing the books are not absolute beginners. I don't know why the majority of these books are marketed toward the entry level, focusing on information that their customers already know. I'd be up for purchasing a more advanced book with new-to-me info, but those seem to be few and far between!
It's a shame about the issues with the photos. I agree that quality content often takes a back seat to marketing, in the sewing industry and everything else.
At least your book was a gift!
Great, honest comment - thank you! I second it, as I bought the ebook and know most of it through searching the web and reading lots of blogs - and am not interested in having a serger.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this review, and how disappointing!
ReplyDelete