November 2014 This should be everyone's first sewing book! A technique based book for the first-time sewist but packed with attractive (not juvenile) projects that everyone will want to make. Designed for individuals to learn from and experienced sewists or shops who want to use this as a teaching tool for their own licensed School of Sewing class. All the basics will be covered with clear instructions from former educator, Shea Henderson. The book is designed to tackle one project a month with each building on the skills learned in the previous lesson. 'Extra Credit' for each project is offered for each of the 12 projects which encourages students to add one more bit of flair to make their project really sing. Fabric store field trip, machine buying tips, and essential school supplies are all included in this modern, sophisticated, beginning sewing book. O'Mahony's Bookseller November 2014 This book contains 12 months of sewing lessons, following a group of beginners learning to use their sewing machines. Each detailed lesson plan includes easy-to-follow instructions, advice on buying fabric and other necessities. The first third of the book has interesting chapters on the sewing machine, which should be of great help to people who are complete beginners. Choosing materials is discussed before the projects start. Each one may appear simple but they contain different skills that help the sewer progress with confidence. Being an American publication there are quotes from pupils alongside the progress; perhaps schools over there do even less stitching than UK ones have taught over the last few years. This was an enjoyable read for beginner and more experienced stitchers; all can gain some ideas to impress family and friends. Merseyside Embroiderer's Guild (megonline.co.uk) November 2014 Are you a first time sewer? Discover all you need to know in this practical book. Like having your own teacher, there are 12 months of sewing lessons. The first 69 pages are all about sewing machines, fabrics, vocabulary of sewing. The second half of the book is all about projects. Simple projects build your confidence - pillowcase, drawstring bag and so on but each project teaches at least one skill such as French seams or boxed corners. The layout of the book is great with easy to use instructions and how-to-illustrations. There are 12 contemporary projects in all. Great book, highly recommended for beginners. Karen Platt Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk/crafts December 2014 Typically, sewing books are like little journeys into the minds and worlds of pattern designers. You come for the innovative designs and gorgeous photos, and stay for the expert tips and little anecdotes about where the author found inspiration. Even as many designers approach their work as more process than product, the products are ultimately what define them. Think of Carolyn Friedlander's Savor Each Stitch, a book that we love. Anyone with even basic knowledge of quilting's bigwigs would recognize that book as uniquely hers (both for her slow-cloth process and her amazing designs).Shea Henderson's School of Sewing, the brand new "It-Book" from Lucky Spool, takes a markedly different approach to the traditional sewing guide. The book is, as the title implies, a back-to-basics guide for beginners offering twelve projects of gradually increasing difficulty, from a pillowcase at the beginning to a quilt at the end. And you know what? It actually is a head-over-heels love song to the whole messy, silly process of learning to sew. The book is based on Henderson's year of teaching group lessons to friends and acquaintances, all with little to no sewing experience. Their learning process converges with the reader's as Henderson addresses the sticky issues that actually came up in each lesson and includes quotations from her students about each project. The photos (by Lauren Hunt) are gorgeous, and the projects themselves (some designed by Henderson and some by others) are simple and straightforward. They provide the perfect templates for beginning sewists, introducing skills without unnecessary details yet still leaving students with polished, grownup products like tote bags and tablet cases. No baby blankets here! You can read the rest of this blog here at the Right Sides Together Blog: http://www.right-sides-together.com/cover-shea-hendersons-school-sewing/ Right Sides Together
