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Giveaway: The Complete Photo Guide to Clothing Instruction
I’m happy to be taking part in the blog tour for my friend Christine Haynes‘ brand new book, The Complete Photo Guide To Clothing Construction. Today, we’re offering one lucky reader a free copy of the book (see details below).
First, I wanted to share a few pages of this fantastic book with you, to give you a sense of what’s inside.
Personally, I am a big believer in photo-heavy instructional books. I’m a visual learner, and I tend to think that clear color photographs are one of the absolute best ways to demonstrate any sort of needlecraft technique.
And the sheer number of photos in this book means that Christine has fit a huge abundance of information into this slender and beautiful book. There are over 600 full color photos, demonstrating everything from how to install zippers to sewing with knits.
This book is like a an extended class in garment sewing, only in book form. With a wonderful teacher like Christine at your side, you can basically learn anything.
Here’s a preview of the kind of clear, quality instruction you’ll see in this book:
I highly encourage you to pick up a copy, and I say that not only as Christine’s friend and admirer, but as a collector of fabulous sewing books. This is the sort of book you will find yourself turning to again and again.
Giveaway
To enter to win a free copy of this book, leave a comment below telling me one sewing technique you’d like to learn or get better at.
I will choose a lucky winner by random number generator after Friday, March 7 at midnight Pacific time. You have until then to enter.
International entries are welcome, and we will pay for shipping (though if you are outside the US, you are responsible for any local duties that may be charged).
Good luck, and be sure to pick up a copy!
PS: Tomorrow, the blog tour will move to another friend’s blog, Erin of Miss Crayola Creepy fame. Be sure to visit Erin too!
UPDATE: The winner of this book is Stella, who answered our question with: “How to use my serger/overlocker and whip those stretchy fabrics into shape!” Congrats, Stella!
Comments
Thursday
March 4, 2014 #
So far I have been dogged by troubles when inserting invisible zippers – I’d love to get the hang of them!
Helene Illervik
March 4, 2014 #
Invisible zipper is a thing I’d need to get better at, but most of all inserting sleeves! They have given me so many head aches and also made me abandon projects.
Cruz
March 4, 2014 #
How to sew a straight seam!
Marie
March 4, 2014 #
I agree with a few other readers -I’d probably go for fly fronts as I’ve not made too many garments needing them (yet).
The pictures look great, I’m sure it’d be an extremely helpful reference.
Leanne
March 4, 2014 #
Zips! Thats the technique that forever has me stumped!
Elsa
March 4, 2014 #
I’d like to learn how to sew buttonholes properly on every kind of fabric!
Jessica R
March 4, 2014 #
how to make my seams look prettier!
Linda
March 4, 2014 #
Love this book! Thanks for a lovely giveaway:) I would like to learn how to fit clothes better, after all that is one of the main reasons why I sew for myself.
Amy
March 4, 2014 #
Zippers, defiantly.
lindie
March 4, 2014 #
So very bad at zippers…
Madeline Chard
March 4, 2014 #
I struggle with closures of all types…invisible zippers and buttonholes. My buttonholes are so bad that I do bound buttonholes! Youtube clips have really helped, but I just need to know the basics.
M Horgosi
March 4, 2014 #
Piping seams for me. This would be a great addition to our school library for pretty much everything for my high school students!
Julia Sivriver
March 4, 2014 #
Definitely sewing with knits!
Lynda
March 4, 2014 #
I’d like to get better at sewing in invisible zips – I always get a pucker at the bottom of it and often they aren’t invisible!!
Stephanie
March 4, 2014 #
I’d like to learn more about zippers! Great book.
Tase
March 4, 2014 #
Zippers. The bane of my life!
Nane
March 4, 2014 #
Hi, I’d like to get better at sewing bias tape (catching it properly on both sides) :-). P.S.: the books seems soooo cool !
Anna
March 4, 2014 #
I want to get better at seam finishing and more generally tailoring, I feel I need better knowledge in those areas to advance.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Adri H.
March 4, 2014 #
My weakness in sewing has to be finishing (when hand stitching is required). If I could just master some of these last steps, I think my garments would be so much snazzier.
Rebecca Ashton
March 4, 2014 #
I’ve never dared to try to sew with stretchy fabric. I’d love to have some guidance on sewing with jersey x
Michele Rickitt
March 4, 2014 #
I love to be able to insert an invisible zipper
Debbie Yeomans
March 4, 2014 #
I would love to know how to install a fly front zipper in pants. I attempted to do this once with less than great results and I have not tried it since. I would love to be able to make a great pair of trousers with a zip instead of elastic waist!
Katarina
March 4, 2014 #
My collars could turn out much neater. That’s a thing I’d like to improve.
Elizabeth
March 4, 2014 #
As a beginner at sewing, one of the things I’d like more practice with is putting in zippers.
Mina Radoycheva
March 4, 2014 #
Set in sleeves and perfect gathered fabric. Always have an issue with puckers
Hannah
March 4, 2014 #
I am pretty new to sewing so there’s TONNES I want to learn or get better at, but right now it’s linings I’m struggling with!
camelia
March 4, 2014 #
Definitely Zippers, specially those invisible zippers, they are not so invisible when i install them :).
Shelley Gibb
March 4, 2014 #
That looks fab. I’d like to get better at lining vents, sewing on hooks and eyes and sewing floaty stuff.
Morven’s Handmades
March 4, 2014 #
I’d love to win a copy, I really need help with those blasted bust darts. And visual cues to attach flat lying peter pan collars would also be great.
thisblogisnotforyou
March 4, 2014 #
Collars and cuffs! (Especially for menswear)
moira
March 4, 2014 #
I’m a dressmaking newbie but have ample boobage so I guess a full bust adjustment!
Mel Betts
March 4, 2014 #
I’d love to be able to sew pockets that actually sit well! That book looks amazing!
Deana
March 4, 2014 #
I want to perfect lovely, non-wavy rolled hems. Especially on slippery fabric.
emily
March 4, 2014 #
Looks like a wonderful resource. I would like to get better at transferring patterns to materials efficiently.
Kylie
March 4, 2014 #
Zippers are my nemesis!
StephanieMertens
March 4, 2014 #
I would love to learn more about sewing with knits!
Manouela
March 4, 2014 #
All kinds of pleats, perfect topstitching and fly zips could look (much!) better! :)
Nicola
March 4, 2014 #
I’d love to learn how to sew with knits. All my bought clothes are knit fabric and I want to work towards making my own wardrobe!!
By the way, that book looks AMAZING!!
Chris
March 4, 2014 #
Thanks for this great Giveaway! It looks like a great book & I could use it. I would love to learn how to line a jacket.
:-) Chris
Luisa
March 4, 2014 #
Darts, darts and darts!!!!
Laurel
March 4, 2014 #
I would love to get better at pattern matching, its top of my “will master” list!
Ariana
March 4, 2014 #
I’d like to be able to master an FBA.
barbara
March 4, 2014 #
I’d love the book, it looks fantastic. I’d like to learn about matching prints and stripes, I can’t seem to get it right.
Laurence
March 4, 2014 #
I would love to learn better topstitching skills, especially on jeans.
Sewing Princess
March 4, 2014 #
Lining construction!
dockso
March 4, 2014 #
Hi it seems like a very useful book, I love photos instructions sense I find it hard to understand exactly how in only written instructions.
Perfectionist as I am I always strive to make everything better and I have trouble with my understishing, it have a tendency to bunch up. not nice and net at all so that is some thing I would like to get better at.
Julia Wallace
March 4, 2014 #
Better fitting for my curvy shape…. and why I have epic failures with shirring??
Caroline Richard
March 4, 2014 #
Inserting zippers.
Rachel Dwyer
March 4, 2014 #
Anything regarding garment sewing, but especially working on my serger I haven’t touched and fitting!
Amy
March 4, 2014 #
I’d like to learn how to insert a lining in a skirt or dress.
Ciara
March 4, 2014 #
Looks lovely – I am sure it would all be useful, Thanks
Tara D
March 4, 2014 #
I love working with different kind of fabric, but it can be a little laboring, at times. Learning more would help me tremendously!
Trine
March 4, 2014 #
Oh, Christine´s new book looks fantastic!
I need to practice installing zippers – I am sure the book would be helpful :-)
Meghan
March 4, 2014 #
I’m a beginner and so need to get better at everything! On my last project, I sewed a placket for the first time and it was quite challenging, so I’ll say that I need to work on my placket skills. Thanks for the giveaway!
Rachel
March 4, 2014 #
I would like to learn how to do a lapped zipper.
Jody p
March 4, 2014 #
Gosh, everything!! Zippers, better topstitching on thick seams….
Pam Hunter
March 4, 2014 #
Buttonholes and zippers … I would love to gain expertise in the perfect “finished” look.
Excited just thinking about it.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to win. Good luck to all!
Pam
Janeice
March 4, 2014 #
I started sewing about 3 years ago with the help of Coletterie. I have learned so much from this site. Looking forward to expanding my knowledge with this book.
Kellie
March 4, 2014 #
I’d like to improve the way I finish garments so that they look less home-made and expand the range of fabrics I’m comfortable sewing.
Jana
March 4, 2014 #
I’d really like to get better at knowing when, where and how much to clip or trim seams to reduce bulk.
Ivan Herga
March 4, 2014 #
Linings. Especially inserting linings on dresses with zippers on the back
Debra Hewitt
March 4, 2014 #
I would love to learn how to sew an exposed zipper! Thank you for the giveaway and for your awesome blog.
wendy
March 4, 2014 #
Welt pockets & bound buttonholes. The few times I’ve tried them, they come out wonky & uneven. I’m sure it’s mostly practice practice practice, but it’s easy to get demoralized seeing how badly the first one comes out…
EmilysVintageVisions
March 4, 2014 #
I have a difficult time with zippers.
-Emily
Saff
March 4, 2014 #
I also would like to improve my fitting… amongst other things :)
Kate
March 4, 2014 #
Darts. They look like they should be easy…
Piper Springs
March 4, 2014 #
I have figured out how to do so many things on my own,I want to review everything to see what I could do better to have a more professional looking finished garment.
Emily
March 4, 2014 #
I would like to get much much better at lapped zippers!
Last night I spent the whole evening trying to get it right for a simple circle skirt! I love the end result and it is definitely an alternative to the invisible zipper that I’ll be turning to again – next time I’d just like to be able to do it in under 2 hours though :)
Katie
March 4, 2014 #
I would love to learn how to sew with knits!
Andrea
March 4, 2014 #
sewing knits!
paige @ LPD
March 4, 2014 #
Oh this looks really useful! Count me in!
Susie in Minnesota
March 4, 2014 #
Set-in sleeves!! When I do them they just always end up lumpy and bumpy, no matter how careful I try to be!
Azzy
March 4, 2014 #
I’d love to improve all of my skills to do with using a straight stitch for something other than seaming! I’ve just finished my very first garment and needed to understitch, edgestitch, stitch in the ditch and topstitch! It went fairly well, but I can see the difference that being able to master these techniques would make to a beautiful garment.
Lots still to learn :)
Brittany
March 4, 2014 #
I need to learn how to line my dresses! At present I just wing it, and it rarely works out how I want it to!
Melissa
March 4, 2014 #
I am a beginner, so I need help on everything! I appreciate the clear photographs and straightfoward instructions.
Madalena
March 4, 2014 #
Neckline finishes properly done.
Andrea
March 4, 2014 #
As many have mentioned…zippers!!!
Katie Emma
March 4, 2014 #
I want to learn to install a fly zip so that I can make pants!
Annie
March 4, 2014 #
Thank you for being you. That’s all I have to say, because your blog has given me so much over the time I’ve followed it. I don’t need the book, just more of your blog and your patterns. Keep on keeping on.
knitmo
March 4, 2014 #
Zip Fly. I’ve done it a couple times, but it was voodoo to me as I was working on it. It turned out, but I want to know the WHY and HOW it works.
Jeanine
March 4, 2014 #
What a beautiful book! I would love to improve my interiors….that is, the finishing of seams and all the things that are not visible to the viewer but that create a quality garment that will last a long time! Thank you for the opportunity.
Aurea’s Kitchen
March 4, 2014 #
I need to improve my darts, and invisible zippers too.
cristina
March 4, 2014 #
I´d like to improve in sewing piping and zippers!!! Thanks for the giveaway :-)
Sian
March 4, 2014 #
Zippers :)
Tan
March 4, 2014 #
Adding my voice to the chorus in favor of in-depth zipper tuition!
Robin
March 4, 2014 #
I would like to master hemming knits-my hems always seem to be “wavy”
heather
March 4, 2014 #
Ooof, this is wonderful. Here’s hoping there’s a good sleeve section – I’m having a devil of a time right now, talking myself out of just putting the darn thing in!!!!!
Natacha
March 4, 2014 #
Thanks for talking about this book. Dealing with bias tape (especially around curves or angles) and how to finish/hem a project would be nice.
tabitha
March 4, 2014 #
I’m a beginner, so improvement is needed in a lot of areas. To pick one…button holes seem a bit scary.
emma
March 4, 2014 #
Hello! I am an almost beginner but would love to learn smocking and good hemming and finishing techniques!
Amongst everything else!
Bright sewing smiles from Spain!
Lorraine
March 4, 2014 #
blind hemming – it looks so simple, but I have yet to figure it out!
lbell
March 4, 2014 #
I would like to get better at garment fitting and collar construction! Thanks!
Karen
March 4, 2014 #
Setting in sleeves. Sometimes they work, and sometimes not. But why?!
Jolien
March 4, 2014 #
There are still so many techniques I’m not aware of. Understitching, getting an invisible zip (straight) in, where & how to use interfacing in garments…
Long, long list, in short, I’d love to learn more of how to sew a proper, longlasting garment. :)
Jo
March 4, 2014 #
Darts for me!
Kendra
March 4, 2014 #
This book looks fantastic – I would love to win a copy.
As a new/returning beginning sewist, I am currently fascinated by the multitude of seam/edge finishes and would love to become better at working with bias tape bindings.
jennifer
March 4, 2014 #
Just returning to the craft after many, many years…….used to be a wiz with French buttonholes, but zippers were always an issue.
Laura
March 4, 2014 #
If the book were mine I would go directly to the section dealing with pattern grading. Like most women my measurements are all over the board. My goal is to create garments that fit my body and I’m proud to wear.
Katie Schulz
March 4, 2014 #
I want to learn how to line garments.
Chris Griffin
March 4, 2014 #
I want to learn more about lining and facings!