Reviews (6)

A Sewer's Must-Have
Everyone else has already said it so well... don't spend another moment's hesitation on whether to buy it or not... just buy it!It is absolutely the sewer's bible!And I loved the comment about bringing it with you to the fabric store.I do a lot of fabric and pattern buying online and I have found that I don't complete the purchase without first referring to this book!Okay, 'nuff said!

More Fabric Savvy
I LOVE this book. There is everything you will ever need to know about sewing any type of fabric successfully. Do not hesitate to get your own copy. You won't be sorry.

Great Reference
This is one of my 3 main sewing references. (All 3 by Betzina! The other two are Power Sewing and Fast Fit.) I learned to sew when I was 8. Twenty years later, I've taken it up again, and am very appreciative of these books. This book teaches you which needles, interfacing, seam finishes, threads, hems, presser feet (and more) to use with each type of fabric. This knowledge has greatly reduced my frustration with sewing. (Who knew that the wrong needle could cause so many problems! Not my 8 year old self, that's for sure.)
Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Dressmaking materials    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. General    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Sewing    8. Textile Fabrics    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Rugs    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Sewing    11. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Editorial Review

Store-bought patterns usually need a bit of finessing to take them from a general size to an individual's perfect fit. Sandra Betzina, the host of HGTV's Read more

Reviews (9)

Never sew without it!
This is by far my favorite pattern fitting book. Every pattern you sew must be fitted--and differently for every person you sew for. Every fitting solution I have tried from this book turns out great. Each fitting solution in this book is given in one-paragraph summary form (the "Fast Fit") for the extremely experienced tailor, and then given in simple, numbered steps for the very beginner.In each fitting solution Ms. Betzina makes an extra effort to find the simplest modification that affects the fewest pieces of the pattern, unlike some alteration books that have you shredding the pattern into small pieces.She even gives you the sequence in which to make your modifications.
My Most Useful Sewing Book
I borrowed this book from the library about 10 times before I finally bought it.If your clothes wrinkle at the bust or pull across the tummy, there's a reason and this book gives it to you and then tells you how to fix it, so all your clothes fit like a dream and make you look 10 pounds thinner.No kidding, good fitting clothes will make you look younger, thinner, richer and smarter.

An easy, wonderful guide
Andra Betzina's FAST FIT provides the author's quick tips on easy pattern alterations for every figure. Here the host of TV's Sew Perfect provides an accessible, easy key to understanding fitting patterns, isolating different pattern problems and walking readers through the process of making changes. An easy, wonderful guide. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Fashion    4. General    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Sewing    7. Crafts & Hobbies / Sewing    8. Dressmaking & tailoring   

Reviews (18)

A must have for every home seamstress
Power Sewing Step by Step is one of my favorite new books for sewing.It has many guidelines to organize your wardrobe and what suits your style and figure.The cutting, fitting and sewing instructions can be used for many garments.The ring type binding makes it lie flat for easy reading -- no flipping pages. The classic basics of any wardrobe are clearly addressed, and wonderful ideas for detailing that sets a garment apart.Her presentation inspires the reader to tackle a project and enjoy professional results every time. I love her tips for dealing with real figures-- for those of us over the hill.
I use this book all the time
This is my favorite sewing book-I take it out whenever I have a project. It's most useful for the advanced beginner or intermediate sewer. It focuses on techniques that either make a project easier or more polished. It's divided into types of clothing (vests, pants, dresses, etc), and Betzina focuses on techniques for that type of project. She explains techniques well and there are lots of full-color pictures. Yes, the clothes are a little out of date, but who cares? The techniques apply to whatever style you choose.
Great book, buy the spiral-bound copy!
This is NOT a book for beginning sewers - the writer assumes you know the basics of sewing and garment construction.I love all of the ways she shows how to make clothing special - Sandra's examples areclassy, but not fussy.There are a lot of useful things like different ways to improve your zipper installation, classier facings, linings (Like WHY to line pants, for instance), easy bound buttonholes, nicer hems, when you should take the time to hand sew, when you can cheat...Basically she is teaching the reader how to make ordinary home-sewn clothing extraordinary using the best techniques.Good section on improving fit, pretty much all useful info. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Dressmaking    4. Fashion    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Sewing    7. Tailoring    8. Tailoring (Women's)    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Sewing    10. Dressmaking & tailoring   

Reviews (2)

Uninspired
Sandra Betzina is wonderfully talented when it comes to garment contstruction.I have several of her books and love them.However, her expertise and creativity do not seem to extend to home sewing. The projects in this book are not inspiring. The fabric choices are questionable.It is difficult to glean the 'tricks of the trade' as this book is organized entirely by project, not technique.Save your money.If you are truly interested, check it out from the library before you invest in this publication.

Down to earth useful book
I received this book as a gift and am buying it for a friend.I found the instructions down to earth and based around how to create patterns for furniture, windows, pillows etc in a non-intimidating way.Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. Household linens    6. Machine sewing    7. Sewing    8. Crafts & Hobbies / Sewing    9. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Reviews (18)

What? No patterns included with the book?
No Time to Sew is a great addition to a sewer's library.I had heard about it at an online list and decided I needed it.It is well illustrated, with plenty of tips and short cuts. The instructionsrefer to Betzina's own patterns that were originally included with the book.However, this edition, or the one from Amazon.com did not include the patterns.
No patterns included.
I have just received the book which I bought "new" from Amazon -- but no patterns are included.Since techniques are based on the patterns which should come with the book, without them, the book is not useful.
No Time to Sew: Fast and Fabulous Patterns & Techniques for Sewing a Figure-Flattering Wardrobe
This has proved to be a really useful book, lots of hints and techniques I haven't encountered before that have made my finished garments much better. As a self taught sewer this has been a great resource. I will be buying more of Sandra Betzina's books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. General    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Machine sewing    6. Sewing    7. Tailoring    8. Tailoring (Women's)    9. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Sewing   

Reviews (2)

Plain and simple, high powered and professional!
This book is well-written, clearly illustrated, and covers the basics through advanced techniques VERY WELL!The pages are in black and white, with great illustrations, about a page or two for each technique. Plus, the type is larger than normal so it's easier to read.
Great reference book for those difficult to sew techniques.
A friend let me borrow this book and I LOVED it and am planning to buy a copy for my own use as a reference guide for many difficult to do techinques. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Dressmaking    4. General    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Sewing   

Subjects:  1. Non-Classifiable    2. Nonfiction - General   

Reviews (1)

Most Comprehensive Book
Sandra Betzina has written this book as a follow-up to her outstanding book Power Sewing Step By Step.These are the books to get for whatever level of seamstress that you are.These books use hundreds of techniques and ideas from Sandra.It provides behind the scene tips on the step-by-step techniques used by many of the top designers, including: where and when to interface; how to tailor a $1200 jacket; changes you need to make on commercial patterns to eliminate problems before you begin to sew; nuances of getting pants to fit; gaining control of chiffon, microfiber, crepe, cashmere, and velvet under the needle and press; make welt pockets flawlessly in twenty minutes. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Dressmaking    4. General    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Sewing   

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. General   

Editorial Review

For those of you who have managed in the past to find the right pattern and the perfect new fabric, only to give up in frustration when the fabric doesn't behave like anything you've used before, Read more

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (27)

Great Resource for Sewing Various Fabrics
This was a great book for providing tips on sewing various fabrics. It contains a 2 page spread for each of the "85 different fabrics" available to the sewer. It includes info about recommended thread and needles, presser footto use, best cutting method, pressing instructions, closures to use, facts about the fabric and the most suitable garments to make with the fabric.
An irresistable resource for anyone with a sewing machine
Even if you mostly sew with ordinary fabrics, like cotton, it's worth owning a copy of this book. There are plenty of times when you stop in the store and finger a particularly lovely bit of satin, and wonder what's involved in sewing it. This book gives you a clear, brief summary of the essentials -- from which needle to use, to which presser foot, to the items for which the fabric is most appropriate. It takes the pressure out of fabric choice, and makes me feel more confident that yeah, I *could* make seat cushions with that $20/yard ultrasuede.
excellent shipping
received book three days after ordering from Abebooks, Bradenton, Fl. just across the state from me. Amazing!
Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Dressmaking    4. Dressmaking materials    5. Fabrics    6. Fashion    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Sewing    9. Textile Fabrics    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Sewing    11. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Hobbies/Crafts    3. Machine sewing    4. Sewing