Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Greenhall and Bornman, both of the creative sewing studio All Well, have written a thoroughly detailed how-to book for beginning sewists that favors a flexible approach. They also encourage beginning sewists to deviate from set patterns to customize their projects. Filled with practical, commonsense advice for beginners, this book sticks to simple garments and bags. The entire sewing process is broken down into stages and step-by-step instructions. Each pattern also comes with multiple hacks. Both U.S. and metric measurements are included. But all the garments pictured are for one body type; all the women models are tall and slim. The book might have benefited from an index, a glossary of terms, and a combined source list. VERDICT The authors make sewing both inspirational and inviting for beginning sewists, in a book that reflects the modern ethos of environmental sustainability and the ethos of thrift from earlier eras. An optional purchase for libraries with a strong crafts section.—Marjorie Mann