After teaching sewing for years Stephnie noticed all her beginning sewing students labored with the same tendencies. She found these tendencies were discouraging the desire to continue sewing. What a sad affair to crush a persons creativity: not to mention denying the pure enjoyment garnered from taking sewing classes. Therefore, she felt compelled to list the tendencies: about 30. Actually this was just the beginning of the list. After identifying the Tendency, Stephnie wrote out a description of what was happening with each tendency calling it: The Problem. The evolution continued with answers and solutions, calling them: To Clarify. Wow! Today the number is more like 90 something. Example: many times her students had trouble taking the fabric (with the finished seam) out from under the foot. Stephnie would causally place her hand in front of the sewing machine needle and ask, "Where is your take-up lever?" When the student realized the take-up lever was hiding, Stephnie's next remark was: "Turn the hand wheel like a Waterfall until the take-up lever is at its highest point. Now you can retrieve your fabric." Stephnie provided photos and drawings on the page facing each tendency. This will help you, the reader, understand the text better. The book is mostly about operating and maintaining the sewing and serging machine. However: reading patterns, a harrowing encounter; sewing over pins, not good, and wash your stash, what ever that means. Plus, a virtual plethora of sewing mysteries are unveiled as the author leads you through her tried and true techniques of sewing, cutting and general handling of fabrics, sewing machines, hand sewing (yes you need to do hand sewing), posture is embraced (it is important), etcetera. Stephnie is trained in tailoring, drapery making, costume creating, stuffed toy making, quilting, and pattern alteration through Nancy Zieman's Fitting Finesse. So much fabric: so little time. Study the book, take it with you to a sewing class and have fun!
