ChrisJul 21, 2023
Gwen Fisher
PSA: If you want to learn how to sew clothes (or housewares) you need this book, “Reader’s Digest Complete Guide to Sewing.” If you know a kid who wants to learn to sew, please buy them a copy. Want to know how to sew a waistband? It explains 11 types. Mine is copyright 1978. The new versions are textbook prices, but the old ones are cheap, and sewing techniques haven’t changed much over time. If I had a copy growing up, I would have been sewing my own clothes twenty years sooner. #sewing
Jul 21, 2023 at 7:02pmWeb
Show threadHollisJul 21, 2023

@gwenbeads Can confirm, here's our 1979 copy! Though @NotThatPotter took over the sewing machine some years ago.

(oops, this time with photo)

Show threadJane KuleszaJul 21, 2023
@gwenbeads Agree! I followed their instructions for princess seams recently. Perfect the first time (no seam ripper needed).
Show threadCoreyartusJul 21, 2023
@gwenbeads This is seriously one of the best guides there has ever been for sewing. I have a copy and struggled for years to find a more contemporary text that is equally thorough, but none of them measure up! This is golden!!
Show threadKara ShallenbergJul 21, 2023
@gwenbeads i learned to sew from this book in the early 80s!
Show threadMike CJul 21, 2023
@gwenbeads is it suitable for an absolute beginner?
Show threadGwen FisherJul 21, 2023
@Frost Yes, this book is an excellent place to start sewing. You should also buy a commercial pattern for what you want to sew (i.e., pants) in the basic silhouette you like (i.e., low rise with elastic waistband). The pattern gives the shape/form, and basic instructions. The problem is your first try, which you should make in cheap fabric, won’t be amazing. The book will answer almost all of your questions on how to go from your rough draft to something better on your second try.
Show threadMike CJul 24, 2023
@gwenbeads thank you!
Show threadMark GardnerJul 21, 2023
@gwenbeads @rabcyr $21 doesn’t seem like a “textbook price”: https://shop.rd.com/products/new-complete-guide-to-sewing/new-complete-guide-to-sewing/
New Complete Guide to Sewing - Shop Reader's Digest | Books, Magazines & Products

The New Complete Guide to Sewing is an ideal book for sewers everywhere—whatever their level of skill. First published in 1978, its extraordinary success is largely due to its comprehensive step-by-step instructions, which clearly explain the techniques of sewing and tailoring. This updated edition builds on the traditions of the classic best-seller by featuring thousands of colorful illustrations, diagrams, and photographs that demonstrate exactly what to do at each stage of the sewing process. A veritable encyclopedia of sewing, this valuable guide includes detailed directions, practical advice, work-saving tips, essential techniques, and hundreds of unique creative touches to bring out the best in needlework.  

Shop Reader\'s Digest | Books, Magazines & Products
Show threadGwen FisherJul 21, 2023
@rabcyr @mjgardner Alright, great. I stand corrected. I haven’t looked at the price in a long time. I’m glad they started selling it for less money. FWIW, the old edition I have is 37% longer than the new version.
Show threadEsme CiredutempsJul 21, 2023
@gwenbeads beautiful
Show threadNixieJul 21, 2023
@gwenbeads Instructions: "STAB-STAB-STAB-STAB...
Show threadLaneJul 22, 2023
@gwenbeads one of my favorites!
Show threadKate WatsonJul 22, 2023
@gwenbeads Agreed! It’s the definitive reference!
Show threadeyajpngJul 22, 2023
@gwenbeads @Quenby Well alright, convinced. Just grabbed an eBay copy.
Show threadLittleScrapsoftheNorthJul 23, 2023
@gwenbeads thank you so much I am going to purchase this book from Abe books.com I sew a lot for quilting and making teddy bears but a lot of the clothes info in patterns always stumped me!
Show threadAlien_SunsetJul 23, 2023

@gwenbeads

I concur, I have this book and love it!

Show threadA Shiny Blue ThingJul 23, 2023
@gwenbeads this is the exact book I suggest to everyone looking to learn how to sew. I used to pick up copies at used bookstores and thrift shops to give away.
Show threadHot Cross Bunny❤️🐇Jul 23, 2023

@gwenbeads

Taught me almost everything I know! Paid for my daughter's dance classes altering costumes!

Show threadAliJul 24, 2023
@gwenbeads Generally better off with a good condition machine from round that era or earlier too (with a few exceptions). Cheap new machines are pretty disposable.
Show threadIkeJul 22, 2025
@gwenbeads It seems to be available on archive.org.
https://archive.org/details/completeguidetosewing
Reader's Digest Complete Guide To Sewing : Reader's Digest Association : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Educators, crafts-persons, sewers, tailors and homemakers all over the world have relied on this complete reference guidebook to provide them with essential...

Internet Archive
Show threadMegan Lynch (she/her)Jul 22, 2025
@gwenbeads I had to give it away when I moved. :((
Show threadforestineJul 22, 2025
@gwenbeads yeah this book is essential. they also have a guide to needlework which is fantastic and in the same format. Vogue Sewing is good too if you can find it
Show threadSarah dreams of beansJul 22, 2025
@forestine @gwenbeads The RD knitting reference is also fantastic
Show threadMorgan ⚧️Jul 22, 2025
@gwenbeads does it talk about both hand sewing and machine sewing?
Show threadGwen FisherJul 22, 2025
@raphaelmorgan yes, this Complete Guide to Sewing book discusses both hand and machine sewing. If you are particularly interested in decorative hand sewing and other needle craft, there is also the Reader’s Digest Complete Guide to Needlework.
Show threadShadow HeartJul 22, 2025
@gwenbeads picked mine (88 edition) up at a library booksale for a quarter.
Show threadcobaltJul 22, 2025

@gwenbeads @Shanmonster Reminds me how the Betty Crocker cookbook my mother relied on was a “new” version in the early 50’s but I craved my grandmothers original first edition. As a high school age student a gift I was presented with proudly was the latest Betty Crocker cookbook I have never once used. As the oldest girl from this matriarchal chain, I now have my mother’s AND grandmothers copies. Have no idea where “my” gift copy went.

All this to say: I agree with you on this old sewing manual as a classic.

Show threadHeidiJul 24, 2025
@cobalt123 Ha! My husband has his grandmother's 1950's copy. His mother is still using her 1950s copy that she bought second hand because she was so used to her mother's cooking. We reference it frequently & I look at tag sales for one, just because. Just a great cookbook.
Show threadTirrimas  🚫👑Jul 24, 2025
@gwenbeads @ai6yr I heartily endorse this toot. I have this book myself.
Show threadAI6YR BenJul 24, 2025
@tirrimas @gwenbeads Thanks! I'm slowly making my way through the 1950's Singer sewing book, LOL.
Show threadOut of Control   🇨🇦Jul 24, 2025
@gwenbeads @SitaDulip I remember this kit growing as a teenager. We still have the scissors with orange handles!