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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
Serina
March 4, 2014 #
invisible zippers
Kathie Engelbrecht
March 4, 2014 #
Pleats. Thanks for the giveaway
Nina
March 4, 2014 #
Drafting a facing and understitching :)
E
March 4, 2014 #
learning how to do pleats better would be a useful skill
Janet
March 4, 2014 #
Buttonholes! They’re never quite right…
Jen
March 4, 2014 #
I need to learn installing zippers pronto! Velcro is great, but it doesn’t work for EVERYTHING! :)
Marisa
March 4, 2014 #
Bound Buttonholes
Johanna@projects by me
March 4, 2014 #
I would love to get this book! I only have two sewing books in my library…
I would like to learn how to sew cuffs and plackets.
Allyson
March 4, 2014 #
Interfacing and zippers!
Jennifer Lachman
March 4, 2014 #
I need to learn to match stripes. I’ve been avoiding striped fabric for far to long.
Patti
March 4, 2014 #
I’ve struggled with buttonholes all my sewing life. Need help. Looks like a great book.
Trish padich
March 4, 2014 #
I want to learn how to make button holes! Oh! and get better at altering patterns!
Elinoora
March 4, 2014 #
I would love to learn how to do prefect zippers, every time. And adding pockets to patterns!
Mary
March 4, 2014 #
Linings!
Erica
March 4, 2014 #
I’d love to learn how to add a lining to garments.
Schirin
March 4, 2014 #
Darts and pleats! And a little of everything else, argh!!!
Katerina
March 4, 2014 #
Sewing knits and slippery fabrics!
Lauren T
March 4, 2014 #
I’d love to learn French seems!
TinaLou
March 4, 2014 #
Thanks so much for your generosity! I’d love to be more confident sewing welts and double welts.
Hannah
March 4, 2014 #
I would really like to learn how to sew pleats!
Beth K
March 4, 2014 #
Sew with knits. Thanks for the giveaway!
Donna
March 4, 2014 #
I would like to learn how to add a cut-on gusset to a sleeve underarm. I learned about it when I took the Craftsy class, “Sew the Perfect Fit” where you raise the bodice armhole and add little wings to the sleeve pattern, but I’ve done several muslins and I just can’t get it to fit properly. I’ve done an internet search and read about Kenneth King’s method on the Threads magazine website, but that one is for a 2-piece sleeve, and I don’t want the hassle of converting my 1-piece sleeve into two to try to make it work. I’ve decided to just use a traditional square-shaped separate gusset piece, but in the back of my head my nit-picky voice is making me feel like a failure for not accomplishing the cut-on method.
Andrea
March 4, 2014 #
Anything regarding knits. Cutting it out, sewing it, serging it. Anything. Or hemming wovens. This book looks great!
Deanna
March 4, 2014 #
What an awesome opportunity to win what looks to be an awesome book. I am still, I feel, new to sewing, so I much to learn. I guess sewing with knits would definitely be something I would like to learn more about. They kind of frighten me.
Jenny Mueller
March 4, 2014 #
I am going to learn to make pintucks. I think they are adorably vintage looking!
Whitney A.
March 4, 2014 #
I have read and watched so many tutorials on what seems to be a simple technique. However, no matter how many times and different ways I try, my seam at the base of the invisible zipper is always crooked and the top seam never matches. I hope one day I can improve enough in that technique to call myself a pro at it.
Sarah Fletcher
March 4, 2014 #
I’d just love to be able to make any alterations necessary without spending hours trying to get it right. Brilliant giveaway – thank you!
Leslie
March 4, 2014 #
Invisible hems!
Emily
March 4, 2014 #
I am starting from scratch and realistically the sewing technique I’d like to learn most is all of them. I have been doing quite a bit of research, and once I figure out how my machine works I want to learn French seams.
Kay
March 4, 2014 #
I would love to learn how to sew zippers! Usually I just use knit or elastic, because I’m so scared to learn how to put in a zipper.
Bettie Stanislao
March 4, 2014 #
Hi Sarai, I need help in taking measurements of myself to use when fitting patterns. It is hard for me to accurately measure shoulder width, upper arms, bust points, leg lengths, and pants rises. Love your patterns. Thanks for reading,
Bettie
Nicole C
March 4, 2014 #
Oh my goodness this looks BEAUTIFUL! I would love (need) to leanr more about zippers!
buzzcogs
March 4, 2014 #
I’d love to get better at finishing. But since I’m pretty much a novice I’d like to learn everything! ;-0
Pamela
March 4, 2014 #
After having a dibilitating illness and losing some of my memory ( I sewed for 25 years)
I am having to re-teach myself how to sew. Hardest thing I have ever done. Looking for a pattern company or sewing book to learn again. Could this be the book? Sure hope so…
Thanks, Pamela
Heather L
March 4, 2014 #
Fitting! I can put together a garment, but my height and other unique qualities seem to make things never look quite right…I think making garments that really fit is the real hale lunge in my sewing. Thanks for the chance…I’ll definitely be checking out the book!
Deresa
March 4, 2014 #
I cannot get the buttonholes down. Terrible at it. I also want to do better at zippers. Having two little girls makes room for plenty of practice!
beata
March 4, 2014 #
Lining garments and creating professional looking seams inside and out.
Justyna
March 4, 2014 #
I’d truly like to improve my precision in sewing details :) And learning more about construction would be lovely, too!
Jacoba Hughes
March 4, 2014 #
I’d love to get much better with zips, my technique is a bit shaky, its something I definitely need to work on!
Jessie
March 4, 2014 #
I want to finally learn to sew with knits!
Megan
March 4, 2014 #
I would love to be able to sew welt pockets and bound buttonholes. The book looks great. Thank you.
Chantilly
March 4, 2014 #
It looks like a good book!
I’d love to learn how to reliably sew a knit knit neckline without stretching it! And I’m always up for hints on sewing on the bias and pattern drafting.
annemarie
March 4, 2014 #
I want to learn how to draft patterns properly rather than just winging it and hoping for the best. This book looks amazing!
Christina
March 4, 2014 #
Oh it looks fantastic! I’d like to get better at collars.
Fiona
March 4, 2014 #
This book looks fantastic. I’d like to learn more about sewing with elastic, and making adjustments for fitting.
Tiffany
March 4, 2014 #
Sewing knits. I’ve read lots of tutorials, but I still struggle with getting a nice clean look.
Maria
March 4, 2014 #
The book looks absolutely fantastic! The photos are clear and plenty of them. Thank you for the giveaway.
I’d like to learn bound buttonholes (I want to make a coat or jacket) and lapped zippers (I think they could make a dress look really special) and pin tucks (they just look intimidating). Hmm, sounds like I really need Christine’s book!
Alyssa
March 4, 2014 #
Inserting lining in jackets.
Elise Massy
March 4, 2014 #
One thing I never do is zipper… Yep. That’s the thing I really should learn!
Elise Massy
March 4, 2014 #
One thing I never do is zipper… Yep. That’s the thing I really should learn!
(sorry, this time with the right email)
Allie in SC
March 4, 2014 #
Invisible zippers! Thank you so much for the chance to win this book :)
Kendall Mellem
March 4, 2014 #
I’d like to get better at making narrow and rolled hems, both by hand and by machine. I love scarves and napkins and the money I can save by making my own. To look really good, they need a neat, even, narrow hem. :-)
Maria
March 4, 2014 #
Definitely zippers!!!
:)
Kimberly Gon
March 4, 2014 #
I’m trying to launch a new hobby by sewing… I’ve finally figured out the bias tape neckline, but I can’t get past attaching sleeves! Ah!
CHRISTINE
March 4, 2014 #
I would love to learn how to construct a simple blouse that doesn’t look ‘homemade’ but ‘handmade’ for my girls: Buttons, collars, shoulders and nicely fitted. :)
Thank you for the wonderful giveaway!!
Sylvie
March 4, 2014 #
Zippers… Every kind of zippers…. ARGHHHHHH!!!!!
Amelia
March 4, 2014 #
I need to be better at sewing invisible zippers.
Cathy
March 4, 2014 #
Seam finishes, setting in sleeves, zippers & buttonholes.
Stella Wenstob
March 4, 2014 #
How to use my serger/overlocker and whip those stretchy fabrics into shape!
Melissa
March 4, 2014 #
As someone who is still very much in the beginner stage of my sewing skills, I would benefit from detailed instructions for most techniques. This book looks fantastic for that! If I have to choose just one technique I’d like to improve, it would be inserting zippers.
Margaret Gibb
March 4, 2014 #
I would love to learn to sew an invisible zipper into a dress.
Lizzy
March 4, 2014 #
Zippers. I see others have said that, but it’s been a problem for me forever. I think I’m actually worse at invisible zippers than hand-picked ones.
phillipa marshall
March 4, 2014 #
More professional pockets and buttonholes.
Carla
March 4, 2014 #
I’d love to learn to insert trouser pockets, and perhaps how to install a front fly zipper.
Laura
March 4, 2014 #
Pants!
meredith
March 4, 2014 #
Welt pockets! :) I have books that describe the process, but high quality visuals would really help me out!
Claudette Garley-Rottkamp
March 4, 2014 #
At least I’m not alone in zippers….also drafting my own pattern.
Tamika
March 4, 2014 #
I would LOVE to learn to line garments better!
Megan
March 4, 2014 #
I’d like to get better at installing a zipper. I have done it a couple times, the first time I had no idea what I was doing, but would like to actually be able to do it the correct way.
Corinne Contreras
March 4, 2014 #
My hand stitching could use a lot of improvement! It’s always inconsistent, uneven, and takes me forever.
Anne in Japan
March 4, 2014 #
This book looks brilliant! There are so many techniques I need to learn… But first up, I want to brave the invisible zipper challenge.
Bryna
March 4, 2014 #
I am pretty new to sewing garments, but have big plans for spring/summer dresses! I would like to try linings and underlinings, as well as improve my fitting technique.
Angie
March 4, 2014 #
I would love to learn how to sew machined buttonholes. I have managed to avoid them so far, but a spring jacket is on the list.
Patricia
March 4, 2014 #
I would like to get better at button/button hole placement.
shan
March 4, 2014 #
My goal is to make a wearable dress before the summer is over. I am brand new to sewing, with some pj pants and Sorbettos under my belt, so it’s a big challenge and I’m excited!
Kaitlyn
March 4, 2014 #
Shirt making. All the details with collars and topstitiching
Terri Jones
March 4, 2014 #
Fitting a bodice.
emily
March 4, 2014 #
I’m just starting out, so I’m looking to learn several techniques…this looks like it would be a great book for this! I am really hoping to start making my wardrobe, and the posts this year have been very encouraging regarding this – thanks!
Hannah
March 4, 2014 #
I would love to own this book! I would like to learn more about lining when a patterns does not have instructions for it!
Leigh Ann
March 4, 2014 #
Buttonholes. I’m pretty good at zippers, but I’ve never made a buttonhole. At all. Everything I’ve made has either had a zipper or snaps. This year, I will learn to make buttonholes!
Christina Maag
March 4, 2014 #
How to sew knits.
Mary
March 4, 2014 #
I’ve tended to shy away from a fly zipper.
Melanie
March 4, 2014 #
Zips, as well! But also fitting — I need to learn better fitting techniques to make everything perfectly custom for myself!
Carrie
March 4, 2014 #
I would like to learn how to sew an invisible zipper! Thanks for the chance to win, this books like a real gem!
LauraS
March 4, 2014 #
Handstitched hems and buttonholes with a machine without an automatic buttonhole stitch. But mainly, how to get even seam allowances without having to draw the stitching line onto the fabric.
SewSewcial
March 4, 2014 #
For me I am ever seeking to increase the success rate of my collars. I can often force them into submission, but wouldn’t it be great if they had a higher probability of success from the start?
Rox
March 4, 2014 #
I would love to learn how to make and tailor a jacket. The entire process seems so overwhelming to me that I postpone having a go at it…
Julie
March 4, 2014 #
Invisible zippers and sewing with knits – not necessarily in the same garment ;-)
Julie Parrish
March 4, 2014 #
I’d like to be able to sew welted pockets without excess bulk and bumps! Could I learn that from the new book?
Cyrena
March 4, 2014 #
Buttonholes! I used to blithely sew buttonholes as a teenager and don’t remember having any issues, but now… Maybe I’m overthinking
Carrie Ann
March 4, 2014 #
I need help with zippers–they scare me.
grace
March 4, 2014 #
could so use this! would love to get better at sewing without puckering, whether it’s easing sleeves or curves.
Myra
March 4, 2014 #
Welt pockets and bound button-holes. I want to attempt to make some tailored work pants and maybe a coat this year for winter. Thanks for the giveaway.
Suubi
March 4, 2014 #
I’d love to master the skill of sewing blind hems!!! Is that even the right name? :-)
KathyS
March 4, 2014 #
I’ve been sewing for years and I still have trouble doing nice darts.
Ptinutz
March 4, 2014 #
Fitting, I think it still my weaky point.
Hari
March 4, 2014 #
Sleeves sleeves and sleeves!
Kat H
March 4, 2014 #
Oh, this book looks great! I love that there’s lots of photos. :-)
One technique I’ve always been a bit afraid to try is shirring.
Skaapie
March 4, 2014 #
Tailoring a jacket. I’ve made a few, but I’ve yet to be 100% happy with the result.
Sonia
March 5, 2014 #
I’d really like to learn about sewing stretch jersey fabric for beautifully flattering dresses.
GriseldaK
March 5, 2014 #
I desperately like to learn more about a whole bunch of sewing techniques. Especially how to set in sleeves without loosing my temper.