A Spoonful of Sugar

Make. Bake. Create.

Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Press
    • FAQ
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Contact Us
  • Crafts
    • Crochet
    • DIY
    • Embroidery/Cross stitch
    • Gift Wrapping
    • Knitting
    • Miscellaneous
    • Paper Crafts
  • Holidays
    • New Year’s
    • Australia Day
    • Back to School
    • Valentines Day
    • Easter
    • ANZAC Day
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • Halloween
    • Christmas
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Bars & Slices
    • Bread & Pastries
    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Confectionery
    • Cupcakes & Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Ice Cream
    • Jams/Preserves
    • Main Meals
  • Sewing
    • Sewing Tutorials
    • Quilting
    • Sewing & Quilting Patterns
  • Family
    • Back to School
    • Family Fun
    • Our Home
    • Parenting
    • Travel
  • Shop
    • Pattern Store
    • Etsy Store

Book Review: Sew Step by Step

February 4, 2011 By A Spoonful of Sugar - 1 Comment

We recently received a review copy of Sew Step by Step by Alison Smith from Penguin and its arrival was perfectly timed. Sarah had her first lesson in Textiles at school this week and will be making a number of projects over the term. She will be learning how to attach a zip; make buttonholes; and a number of other techniques. I am so excited that she will be building on her basic skills and starting to make garments. This book will be an excellent resource for her as it covers all the basic techniques needed to make clothing, soft furnishings and more.

If you are after projects, this book is not for you. It is more of an encyclopedia of techniques that covers all the basics such as: how to master seams, hems, edges; how to attach fasteners such as buttons and zips; how to add shape to your clothes with gathers, darts, and pleats. You can get a peak inside the book here.

What I love most about the book is that all the techniques are photographed step by step to guide you through the process. It is the sort of book that will give you the confidence to try new techniques and will be referred to again and again.

It is published by Penguin (RRP $29.95). It is also available from the Book Depository.

Do you have a favourite sewing resource?

Filed Under: Sewing Tagged With: book review

« "Left My Heart in Tokyo" Part 2
Valentine Pot Holder »

Comments

  1. Terriaw says

    February 5, 2011 at 2:46 pm

    Looks like a great book to have as reference on my shelves! Thanks for the tip.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Threads
  • TikTok
SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
×

Categories

Archives

PURCHASE PDF PATTERNS

We offer over 100 affordable PDF sewing patterns available for download from our store website or Etsy store. Each pattern includes detailed instructions, numerous photos, and templates.

WEB STORE ETSY STORE

Instagram

The Easiest Oven Mitt You’ll Sew ✂️✨ The Bakers Bu The Easiest Oven Mitt You’ll Sew ✂️✨ The Bakers Buddy Mitt is one of those projects I reach for again and again — quick to sew, beautifully shaped, and genuinely useful in the kitchen. It’s beginner‑friendly, scrap‑friendly, and makes the sweetest handmade gift.Here’s why it’s always on my sewing table:
• No binding, which means fast, frustration‑free construction
• Insul‑Brite + batting layers to protect your hand
• A modern silhouette that looks gorgeous in any stash fabricIf you’d like the pattern link, comment BAKER and I’ll send it straight to your inbox. The Bakers Buddy Mitt PDF is available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#quicksewingproject #beginnersewing #scrapfriendlysewing #giftableprojects #sewingcommunity
Scrap‑busting happiness in one tiny make ✂️🧺 The Scrap‑busting happiness in one tiny make ✂️🧺The Bitsy Basket is one of my favourite ways to turn the smallest offcuts into something useful and adorable. It’s quick to sew, beginner‑friendly, and just the right size for clips, threads, treats, or tiny treasures on your sewing table.If you’ve got a growing pile of scraps, this is the perfect project to turn them into something sweet — and it’s a lovely little gift idea too.Comment BASKET and I’ll send you the pattern link.The Bitsy Basket PDF is available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#bitsybasket #scrapfriendlysewing #scrapbustingideas #sewingreels #sewingcommunity
10 Giftable Projects to Sew 🎁✨ A little collecti 10 Giftable Projects to Sew 🎁✨A little collection of handmade favourites you can stitch now and tuck away for later — perfect for birthdays, holidays, teacher gifts, or those “I need something cute, quick, and thoughtful” moments.From pouches to needlebooks and tiny organisers, these projects are beginner‑friendly, scrap‑friendly, and endlessly giftable. They’re the kind of makes that bring joy both to sew and to give.If you’d like the patterns for any of the projects featured in this carousel, comment PATTERNS and I’ll send you the link to my Pattern Store.#sewinginspiration #scrapfriendlysewing #beginnerfriendlysewing #handmadegifts #sewingcommunity
This week’s feature is the Giftable Pouch Duo — a This week’s feature is the Giftable Pouch Duo — a brand new bundle available exclusively in my Pattern Shop and the sweetest way to sew thoughtful handmade gifts. Inside you’ll find the Flower Power Pouch and the Mini Drawstring Gift Bag — two beginner‑friendly favourites that are quick to make, scrap‑friendly, and endlessly useful. When you purchase them together, you’ll save 25% compared to buying the patterns individually.Shown here in sweet Japanese florals by Atsuko Matsuyama from my stash. Which one would you sew first?Comment GIFTABLE or GPD and I’ll send you the link.#giftablepouchduo #flowerpowerpouch #minidrawstringgiftbag #sewingpattern #sewingproject
Colour Crush: Yellow 💛 ✨ A bright, happy palette Colour Crush: Yellow 💛✨ A bright, happy palette to end the week — sunshine tones, warm florals, and cheerful prints that always lift your sewing mood. Yellow is one of my favourite colours to work with: fresh, optimistic, and perfect for adding a pop of joy to any project.This week’s Colour Crush collection features some of my most-loved makes in soft buttercream, golden honey, and sunny citrus shades. Whether you’re planning a new pouch, a quilt block, or a small weekend project, yellow brings instant warmth to your sewing table.If you’d like to sew any of the projects featured in this carousel, comment PATTERNS and I’ll send you the link to the Pattern Store.#colourcrushseries #colourcrushyellow #sewinginspiration #sewingcommunity #makersgonnamake
Christmas in July sewing joy 🎄✨ The Ribbon Gift Bo Christmas in July sewing joy 🎄✨ The Ribbon Gift Box is one of my favourite festive makes — a clever, reusable alternative to traditional gift wrap that folds flat between uses and pops open into the sweetest little keepsake box. I stitched this one in the nostalgic Tilda Merry Little Christmas fabric range, and the shaped panels help it stand tall and sturdy for gifting.Perfect for treats, notions, or tiny treasures, it’s:
✔️ Beginner‑friendly
✔️ Scrap‑friendly
✔️ Reusable + eco‑friendly
✔️ A beautiful way to wrap handmade giftsWant to sew your own? Comment BOX and I’ll send you the pattern link. It’s available now in my Pattern Store and Etsy shop.A big thank you to @tilda_australia for the beautiful fabric samples 💕 Christmas in July is the perfect time to start stitching little giftable projects.#christmasinjuly #RibbonGiftBox #EcoFriendlyGiftWrap #TildaMerryLittleChristmas #BeginnerFriendlySewing
Follow on Instagram

Featured Pattern

Travel Sewing Kit Pattern

Featured Tutorial

Retro Drawstring Bag

Featured Recipe

Lemon Pound Cake

Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Threads
  • TikTok
SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
×

Popular Posts

  • Flower Sugar Pouches
  • The Art of Small Makes: Why 1–2 Hour Projects Spark Creativity
  • Cord Cosy
  • Charm Square Fabric Tray
  • English Paper Piecing Made Simple: A Beginner’s Guide with Projects to Inspire
  • Apple Crumble Slice
  • Summer Sewing Projects

Copyright © 2026 Lisa. K. Cox - A Spoonful of Sugar