The Sewing Machine Master Guide: From Basic to Expert

Even though this is a vanity published book my goodness it contains a lot of information and frankly I can't see why a publisher wouldn't want it. It's enabled me to move from being a sewing machine owner who can do a basic clean up and service to someone who can identify and fix quite a lot of other problems too. The most useful advice it contains is on doing easy and deep servicing on your machine and with this info you may find you never again need to pay to have a machine serviced. I've certainly fixed my own and other people's basic problems, such as tension instability with the help of this book. It doesn't completely negate the need for a sewing machine engineer but it will certainly save you money every time the tension on your machine becomes unstable and cannot be fixed using the tension dial. Frankly, tension problems hardly ever have anything to do with upper or lower thread tension (unless you've just bought a new bobbin case) and moving the tension dial hardly ever fixed anything either. On the other hand keeping your machine lint free, changing needles regularly and making sure to use the same manufacturers threads (of the same weight) in both bobbin and upper thread will solve a lot of very common problems. Anything that cannot be solved by the above good practice is probably covered in this extremely useful book.

I realised that although I learnt to use a sewing machine at school, I had huge gaps. This book goes back to basics in a very constructive way. For example, it encourages you to hand stitch in the same way a machine stitches to understand how the threads from bobbin and needle interact and uses this practical exercise to emphasise aspects of both upper and lower tension. before I purchased I wondered whether it would be a disadvantage that it was aimed at people whatever sewing machine they had. In reality I think this helped rather than hindered especially as general pointers about various manufacturers was included. useful for beginners whatever their age and also a useful reference book.

This is an interesting book. I haven't done any sewing for a long time and feel a bit out of touch with the advances in technology regarding sewing machines. Although the author writes about machines past and present, it describes quite plainly what the differences are between machines, what and how machines work, ideas on what kind of machine would best meet your needs, types of stiches, how to get the tension right and lots of other information. There is also a section on basic maintenance and what to look for when buying a machine. Although I have a 40yr old sewing machine I enjoyed reading the book and it made me realise that I have the perfect machine for what I need as no machine can replace skill.

I found it interesting to read from a history of the sewing machine through to basic maintenance and advice on sewing basics such as suitability of needles and fabrics. It’s written from an anecdotal perspective but still provides a handy reference guide to refer back to. You won’t learn how to adjust the timing on a computerised model but there’s enough info. to complete a decent home maintenance/service job so you’ll only need to take your machine into a service centre, if it’s a much more complicated problem. Well worth the price.

found the language easy to understand from someone who obviously knows his subject well. i love looking at how things work and whilst i wouldn't try taking my modern machine apart, i have been sewing 40 years and found the whole text offered valuable insight into not just the machine itself but also thread and fabric.

Not really what I expected and a lot of information about sewing machines and how to sort them out should a fault occur, may save some money in the future by servicing yourself to a point. Covers a lot of old machines as well but does not cover my make much just mentions the brand but i suppose there are too many to cover so general things are for all. Still going through it so may like more in future.

WOW, this book has so much information that I wish I had read it years ago. I've been sewing for about 30 years and have been making just about every mistake in the book when it comes to using my machine. This book has everything from the most basic instructions on how to operate a sewing machine to troubleshooting and repair (if you want to do it yourself). An absolute must for anyone who wants to learn how to properly use and care for their sewing machine.

just a quick thank you .This book is well informed and very helpful in its subject .a must have for people with vintage machine.

After buying an older industrial Pfaff, I was curious to see if I could get a ruffle attachment for it. Most online sites either give you a picture and nothing else or show a leaflet that comes with them, no usable description. This book shows the YS Star model I was considering and sure enough, there is both an domestic and industrial model. Had I purchased one on eBay and it was domestic, I would NOT have been happy. They aren't cheap, either. This is why a book like this is helpful. The various types of industrials are explained. Anyone who is doing a bit of upholstery or leather work will get some guidance on walking foot models. Clutch and servo motors are important considerations if your serious about a more industrial machine as well. Fabrics, stitch formation (coverstitch machine anyone?), basic repair tools, adjusting bobbins cases and bobbins sizes explained. I was also glad to see a number of vintage Morse and other Japanese domestic machines. I should mention here that at least some Morse models were made by Toyota. Maybe not the cache of better known names but workhorse nonetheless. It never occurred to me bobbins could be warped or burred, something else I got from the book. It's a good way to kick tires so to speak if you're considered adding to your herd, an upgrade or just starting out. It beats having to return something that wasn't a good fit or performer for your needs. You'll appreciate the fact there isn't any talking down or a ton of techno speak. When you consider most machine showrooms (particularly industrial models) are far and few in between and with a heavier emphasis on vacuum cleaners where domestic machines are sold, a book like this bridge a gap. Good, clear pictures were also a plus.

pas pour les non-initiés mais excellente info des généralités concernantes des machines à coudre not for the fainthearted beginner - but it is excellent information for the different machines you can buy

Ottimo testo per uso generico e manutenzione della macchina da cucire. Sembra quasi un testo da meccanico. Spiega bene funzionamento è differenza tra modelli e tipi. Inoltre va molto a fondo sulla manutenzione. Non si può considerare un testo di taglio e cucito, in quanto si concentra prevalentemente sulla macchina. Ottimo per sviscerarne gli "inner working"

Ótimo!

*Como contras: -Fotos en blanco y negro -Viene a ser un Kindle imprimido casi directamente lo que hace que desluzca -Enfocado al mercado americano -Esta en ingles y no todo el mundo lo podra disfrutar *A favor: TODO EL RESTO !!!! -Opinion practicamente imparcial del mercado de las maquinas de coser, tanto caseras como industriales, diciendo claramente por lo que merece la pena pagar y por lo que no. Se nota que el autor es un consumidor y no un comercial. -Describe pormenorizadamente las partes que componen la maquina de coser, su funcionamiento, las variedades (por ejemplo, lanzadera horizontal y vertical) con sus ventajas e inconvenientes, tipos de prensatelas,... -Trucos sobre calibrar la tension, que tipo de hilo usar, agujas, telas,... -Mantenimiento de las maquinas de coser -Historia de las maquinas de coser con modelos ampliamente vendidos (mercado americano, recordemos, nada de ALFA o similares) Ojala se hicieran mas libros como este con opiniones imparciales (con las que podras estar de acuerdo o no pero imparciales al fin y al cabo) en los que se demuestra que no por gastarte mas dinero en una maquina de coser tienes porque hacer una mejor compra.