Follow in the footsteps of a real group of beginner sewists who came together with author Shea Henderson to have her teach them one thing: how to use their sewing machines. The result of their journey is School of Sewing, an award-winning learn-to-sew bible covering everything from the anatomy of a sewing machine, fabrics, and essential tools to basic sewing techniques geared to the first timer.

Benefit from authentic advice from Shea Henderson’s 12 students as they learn all about sewing machine feet, interfacings and stabilizers, threads, different fabrics, and even zippers. Designed to progress over one year, there are 12 projects (one a month) advancing complete beginners one step at a time by building on the skills learned from the prior project. Feeling ambitious? Each project also includes “extra credit” which uses the techniques from a project but are just a tiny bit more technical. The best part is that each of these lessons results in a finished project you actually want to use!

Packed with hundreds of detailed how-to photographs, this book removes the mystery around your sewing machine, taking readers on an engaging, detailed, comprehensive sewing adventure, from a simple pillow case to zipper pouches and bags to finishing with a full-size quilt. Whether sewing in a group as Henderson’s students did or learning to sew in your own space, this is the only guide to sewing you will need.

Includes step-by-step photographs