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The best books for home sewing enthusiasts
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Jen Krava profile picture
Jen Krava
I’ve been sewing since I was 8 years old. These are some of the books I go back to over and over! Great guides and patterns to keep building your sewing skills!
Sections
4
 
Embroidery
 
Draping
 
Pattern making
 
Reference books

Embroidery

 
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Gorgeous book with pretty patterns and easy to follow steps.
Paint with Thread: A Step-By-Step Guide to Embroidery Through the Seasons
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Great book from THE place to learn about embroidery!
The Royal School of Needlework Book of Embroidery: A Guide To Essential Stitches, Techniques And Projects
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Easy to follow with great patterns to get you started with sashiko!
Simply Sashiko: Classic Japanese Embroidery Made Easy (with 36 Actual Size Templates)
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This got me started making 3d plants using stump work!
Stumpwork Embroidery & Thread Painting: Stitch 3-D Nature Motifs
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I love the eerie patterns in this - and they are easy to sew!
Creepy Embroidery: 20 Gothic Patterns to Capture the Spirit of the Supernatural
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Great reference of all the stitches you can use in hand embroidery!
A-Z of Embroidery Stitches: A Complete Manual for the Beginner Through to the Advanced Embroiderer
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Another reference book from a world renowned academy!
RSN Stitch Bank: 200 Essential Embroidery Stitches
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Draping

 
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Excellent guide to using the mannequin to build your garments.
Fashion Draping Techniques Vol. 2: A Step-By-Step Intermediate Course. Coats, Blouses, Draped Sleeves, Evening Dresses, Volumes and Jackets
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Make origami with fabric! So much fun to play with shapes and forms with different fabrics.
Fabric Manipulation: 150 Creative Sewing Techniques
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Jen Krava profile picture
I love the shapes you can make with fabric. These are awesome books to show you how.
Drape Drape
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Pattern making

 
Jen Krava profile picture
A really great guide to drafting your own clothing patterns.
How to Make Sewing Patterns, second edition
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Draw out your design ideas on these pre printed templates.
Fashion Sketchbook: 430 Large Female Figures
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More great ways to use fabric to make shapes.
Pattern Magic 2: (Part of the Best-Selling Japanese Inspired Pattern Magic Series)
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Great projects to use up all of those sewing scraps!
Sewing with Scraps: 15 Projects to Sew a Sustainable Wardrobe Using Leftover Fabric
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All the techniques tailors use to make and edit clothes!
The Tailors Classical and Infallible Text Book of Cutting All Garments Worn by Men, Women and Children
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Start sewing your own intimates! This book will show you how!
Sew Lingerie: Make Size-Inclusive Bras, Panties, Swimwear & More; Everything You Need to Know
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Fantastic guide to get the perfect fit every time!
Palmer Pletsch Guide to Fitting Clothes
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Reference books

 
Jen Krava profile picture
Just as it says - step by step! Easy to follow and a great beginners guide!
Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing: Step by step techniques for making clothes and home accessories
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I use this to get inspiration for new projects!
The Thames & Hudson Dictionary of Fashion and Fashion Designers
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Jen Krava profile picture
The best reference book - look up fabrics, techniques, patterns.
The Language of Fashion - Dictionary and Digest of Fabric, Sewing and Dress
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