Sewing is both a practical and a passionate pursuit, and Sandra Betzina's enthusiasm for sewing has won her a loyal following. Now Betzina has taken her energy, talent, and expertise and put them into one vibrant volume: Power Sewing Step-by-Step.

This book is fully illustrated with more than 500 photos of step-by-step processes and beautiful finished garments. Join Sandra in her sewing room as she teaches you how to build a wardrobe, how to make flattering fashion choices, and shows hundreds of great sewing techniques that will have you sewing like a pro in no time. The book also includes lessons that help you understand how garments come together, as well as many charts and tricks of the trade. The accessible format and comprehensive instructions make learning new skills accessible for every sewer.

INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1 POWER SHOPPING

Shopping Step-by-Step
Interfacing Ideas
Pattern Brand Awareness
Movement Ease and Design Ease
Walking Ease
Fabric Shortage Solutions
Pretesting a Pattern

Chapter 2 VESTS

Sandra's Closet
Little Black Vest
Pacific Rim
Dragon's Fortune
Anatomy of a Vest
Master Construction Methods
Minimal Vest Seams
Armhole Gaposis Fix
Piping Dreams
Better Lining Pattern
Gold Medal Lining
Lined Vest with Side Slits
Pull-Through Lining
At-a-Glance Bias-Binding Resource
On-the-Edge Binding
Buttonhole Window

Chapter 3 PANTS

Sandra's Closet
Stylish Silk Dupioni
Very Vogue
Anatomy of a Pair of Pants
Master Construction Methods
Painless Pants Fit
Blocked Shaping
Pointed Tips about Darts
Protruding Tummy Fix
Wrinkle-Free Underlining
Inseam Shaping
Fly-Front Zipper
Lapped Zipper
Zipper in a Pocket
High-Rise Waistband
Petersham Waist Facing
Tailored Waistband with Elasticized Back
Flat-Fell In-Seam Pocket
Gap-Free Hip Pocket
No-Tear Lining
Taming Pant Hems
West Coast Hong Kong Finish

Chapter 4 SKIRTS

Sandra's Closet
Worthwhile Wrap
Beautiful Bias Skirt
Terrific Tube Skirt
Anatomy of a Skirt
Master Construction Methods
Flattering Grainline Choices
Lining vs. Underlining
Couture Underlining
Basic Underlining
Lining with a Take-Up Tuck
Knit Skirt Lining
Solving the Flap about Wraps
Mitered Hem with Walking Ease
Back Slit or Vent
Great Godets and Yokes
Pegged Side Seams
Centered Zipper
Hand-Picked Zipper
Cut-On Elasticized Waistband
Designer Waistband That Grows
Faced Hem
Fine Rolled Hem
Ruched Hem

Chapter 5 DRESSES

Sandra's Closet
Wonderful Wrap
Terrific T-Shirt Dress
Basic Backdrop Dress
Anatomy of a T-Shirt Dress or Top
Master Construction Methods
Contoured T-Shirt Dress
High or Low Bust Darts
Neckline Stabilizing
Foolproof Invisible Zipper
Ready-to-Wear Binding
Mitered Square-Neck Binding
Shapely V Neckline
No-Gap Wrap
Clean Edge Facing
Machine-Anchored Facing
Banded Collar Sandwich
Mandarin Collar
Sleeve Ease with Ease
Double Delight
Full-Sleeve Support
Man-Tailored Sleeve Placket
Easiest Sleeve Vent
Smooth Cuffs
Contoured Shoulder Pads
Elasticized Waist
Continuous Button Loops
Shaped Curved Hem
Twin-Needle Hem

Chapter 6 JACKETS

Sandra's Closet
Extravagant Eastern Brocade
Classic Chanel
Saturday Morning
Anatomy of a Jacket
Master Construction Methods
Perfect Plaids
Jacket Structure
Interfacing Choices
Interface Like the Pros
Fusible Interfacing Preparation
Buttonhole Placket
Professional Princess Seams
Neckline Shaping
Roll-Line Memory
Easy Shape-and-Stitch Lapels
Flannel Underlining
Bagged Patch Pocket
Paper Bag Pocket
Side-Seam Pocket
Welt Pocket with Flap
Decorative Piping for a Welt Pocket
Fronts-Only Half-Lining
Attaching a Front Facing
Hong Kong Facing
Upper-Collar Contouring
Underarm Shaping
Smooth Sleeve Caps in Difficult Fabric
Fearless Sleeve Vents
Turned-Back Cuff
Facing for a Hem
Visual Guide to Bagging a Lining
Better Buttonholes
Corded Buttonholes
Weighted Hem

PATTERN LIST

RESOURCES

INDEX

Power Sewing Step-by-Step was written to guide you through many of the techniques you have watched on Sew Perfect (my show on HGTV), read in my syndicated sewing column, or seen demonstrated in my seminars. From grainline changes and walking ease to mastering all of the possible zipper applications, this includes the best of my Power Sewing books as well as many, many new techniques, all in a photographed format. The step-by-step photographs will give you a realistic picture of the sewing process and make it easier for you to duplicate these techniques at home.

I am continually inspired by techniques I see in ready-to-wear, and I love the challenge of figuring out "how they do that." You will find many of these techniques here, including inserting a zipper opening in a pocket; adding an elasticized back waistband; choosing interfacing and knowing where to put it; making fast, professional hems; creating innovative pockets; trimming a neckline with tiny bias binding; as well as a slick, professional method for joining the bias ends on a neckline. I also explain the nuances of each technique, so you'll get professional, flawless results.

This book was a mammoth undertaking for both the publisher and me. However, knowing how much the end result will help you in your own sewing, it was all worth it.