Singer Sewing Book

Oh my gosh I adore this book! Mary Picken was the pre-eminent seamstress and domestic arts maven last century, and this book proves it. First of all, since I have an obsession with vintage sewing machines, I was delighted that the front and back cover are graced with a line drawing of what has been termed Singer Sewing Machines' greatest model, the 201. It is pictured situated in the cabinet #40 Queen Anne, one of which I have been looking for over several months. Then, she talks about your relationship to your machine, having it situated front and center whether in a cabinet or portable so that you can sew at the drop of a hat. She mentions organizing your meals so that you have free time to sew, and can really relish the enjoyment of sewing and creating. Why did I never hear this in home economics class in school? It is a treasure.Mary Picken also recommends "bundling"; doing sewing activities so that you have things organized in the best way and can make the best use of your sewing time. Cutting out several sewing projects at the same time if you have to use the dining room table or floor. This book gives a snap shot of past life, but so much is applicable to now. And this is just the beginning of the book!! I have yet to delve into the meat of specific applications like sleeve installation or hemming, but I am salivating.The reader should note, however, that this book is a reproduction and the print is very tiny. Get out your best reading glasses and give it a whirl!! Recommended highly, with no reservations.

I have my mother’s very old first edition. I bought 2 more through Amazon so that I have 3 in total now. One goes to each of my 3 adult children. Which one receives their grandmother’s copy, may be decided by drawing straws. A great old timeless sewing guide.

When you want to explore doing things "the way grandma did it", the old books and magazines are a snapshot into time. Some of those old manual finishing techniques are just about lost today with the push-button computerized machines. This book walks through the whole range of home sewing from getting your makeup on (yes, it's really in there) to final fit and finish with plenty of very clear instruction.If you're a complete newbie to sewing then this might not be the book for you. It assumes some things as "common knowledge" that we've not been using daily like they did then. It's truly fun to see how little has changed in techniques though - even with all of the advances in technology we now have.

I have an old singer machine, this explaines how to do things the old way. New machines have built in short cuts old ones need attachments.

As someone who uses a vintage Singer, I find this book a very helpful reference as I tackle projects. I like that the examples show an older model Singer (of course, this book dates from around 1949!). The instructions are easy to follow. This book has stood the test of time! I highly recommend it.

i’ve already started using it. thank you. i’m very happy with this purchase. the book is in great condition. it is a valuable tool that even my 6 and 8 -year old grand daughters can understand.

Love this book! It is fun to read the advice given to homemakers in 1949.It is also full of very clear directions for both home items and clothing.The copy I purchased as used is in excellent condition!

The book is good, but the one I recieved was NOT the 1949 edition. It was the 1953 edition. I wanted the older one for research. I already had the newer edition.