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Looking for ways to improve your sewing skills? I am a big believer in lifelong learning, depth of mastery of skill, and continuous improvement. The desire to improve your sewing skills means you recognise that you have unexplored potential and you want to work to become a better seamstress. When you sew your own clothes you may look to improve your skills for different reasons – you may want to achieve certain goals such as sewing a wedding gown or you may be looking for a sense of fulfillment in your hobby. The skills you are trying to improve may require a different approach but reading tends to be common to any process of skill improvement. In my opinion, reading and sewing go hand in hand like gin and tonic, milk and cookies, needle and thread… These technical sewing books are the ones that I found to be the best at improving my sewing skill set. Are you ready to up your sewing game?

1 – Couture Sewing Techniques by Claire Schaeffer

Couture Sewing Techniques in a nutshell is learn the power of hand sewing with plenty of images of unique gowns made by hand. I love this book so much that it usually resides on my bedside table for me to pick up and read as part of my bedtime wind-down routine. It combines a chatty sewing aunt feel with pictures of gorgeous couture gowns. This book made me value hand sewing as until I had read this book I looked down on hand sewing. Through it, I discovered the joy of using beeswax to get the best out of hand sewing. It is a gorgeous book that is full of inspiration.

2 – The Sewing Book New Edition: Over 300 Step-by-Step Techniques by Dame Alison Smith

The Sewing Book by Dame Alison Smith – her book is one I learnt a lot from and keep returning to. It was also the only book that correctly referenced Petersham ribbons and their use of them. You can read my Ultimate Guide to Petersham ribbons here. This is the ultimate technique book for the visual learner. The pictures are big and very clearly labeled. You can even try out some of the sewing projects that come with it. It also covers speed tailoring techniques.

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3 – Reader’s Digest Complete Guide to Sewing: Step by Step Techniques for Making Clothes and Home Accessories

The Readers Digest Sewing Book is another good book for visual learners. Loads of pictures and inspiration to up your sewing game. Readers Digest is known for making accessible content and breaking it down into manageable chunks. You get all the illustrations and explanations. My copy is a vintage one with lovely vintage feels to boot!

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4. A Beginner’s Guide to Sewing with Knitted Fabrics: Everything you need to know to make 20 essential garments, Wendy Ward

This book is exactly what it says on the cover – a beginner’s guide to sewing with knitted fabrics. This is the book I wish had been there when I started sewing with knits. It is specific to knits but it explains it all really well – bonus is that it does come with some sewing patterns that you can learn with. The styles are a good mix of contemporary and conservative. Buy it on Amazon.co.uk.

5. Classic Tailoring Techniques (F.I.T. Collection), Roberto Cabrera

This book is not for beginners. If you want to delve deeper into the world of tailoring then this Roberto Cabrera book is the bible for full-on proper tailoring.  As well as menswear, it contains step-by-step details on how to sew several classical women’s garments, like a classical skirt, two kinds of different jackets, and women’s trousers. It’s a feast for anyone who is taking their tailoring game to mastery sewing levels. Get it on Amazon.co.uk.

Video – 5 Must Have Sewing Books

Have you read any of these? Let me know which one is your favourite below.

Happy reading!

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