Reviews for Connecticut Needlework: Women, Art, and Family, 1740-1840

The average rating for Connecticut Needlework: Women, Art, and Family, 1740-1840 based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2011-11-13 00:00:00 Ron Suriyopas 5/5; 5 stars; A+ Claire Shaeffer's Fabric Sewing Guide is a fantastic resource book for anyone who wants to do some serious sewing. Shaeffer gives detail on practically every type of fabric you can imagine, different variations in the class, special characteristics for sewing, tools you might need and problems you might run into with a particular fabric. That alone makes this a great book but, on top of the fabric info, there are about 100 pages of very detailed information and instruction on seams, finishes, edges, hems, closures, threads, needles for machine and hand sewing and a chapter on hand sewing. Special aspects that I like in any reference book include a good glossary, appendices, a detailed index and a list of other resources. This is a well organized 525 page tome that is easy to use. This is an expensive book to find in print, I got in on inter library loan, but you can find it in eBook format from specialty stores like Interweave (a great deal as part of a collection of sewing books) or from the usual eBook vendors like Kobo or Amazon. I did read a couple of reviews that complained the Kindle version didn't have a a Table of Contents but the PDF I got from Interweave is an exact replica of the paper version.

Review # 2 was written on 2014-05-12 00:00:00 Don Dillon Every few years I get a hankering to dust off my sewing machine and have dreams of taking my sewing skills to a new level. This summer's projects were no less disappointing than those in the past. Then, I ran across this reference book in the library. Shaeffer gives characteristics of each type of fabric and what to expect along with sewing tips such as which needle to use, recommended seams, etc. I have always viewed sewing solely as an art, but I am beginning to see it as a science as well. I think I am ready to make the leap from novice to intermediate seamstress, and I want this book to be part of my library.