Sewing A to Z with Nancy Zieman

True confession:  Back when I was newly married and I hadn’t sewed in years, I used to watch Sewing With Nancy on PBS on Saturdays.  And by “watch”, I mean that if BC even looked like he was going to try to talk to me, he got shushed.  So, when I was given the opportunity to review here new book, Sewing A to Z, I jumped at the chance.

Y0005 NZ SewingAtoZ

Thing #1 that I loved straight out of the box?  The book is spiral bound and lays flat (and stays open) on your work space.

Thing #2 I loved?  The alphabetical table of contents.  In other sewing books I’ve used, things have been grouped in ways that didn’t make sense to me.  The fact that in this book I look under V if I want to know about sewing vinyl makes me really happy.  Guess where you’ll find the section on sewing with a double needle?  Under D.  Nice, right?

Thing #3 I loved?  The diagrams and illustrations.  Sometimes when you’re sewing, you just really need to see it, right?  I think it’s why we all read blogs and love tutorials so much…the visual aids turn previously scary techniques into something you know you can do!

Are you brand new to sewing?  This book would be a FABULOUS reference.  It has basics on everything from garment making to quilting.  It even talks about sharpening your shears and being organized in your sewing space.  (I should probably re-read that section another 4 or 5 times.)

Are you a not so beginning sewist?  I took my first sewing class in 9th grade.  We’re not going to get all mathematical here, but let’s just say I’ve been sewing for more than 20 years.  Surprised smile  I’d still recommend this book as a reference when you need a little refresher (because if you’ve been sewing for 20 years, you’re old enough that you might be losing your mind just a little Winking smile).

If you’d like a sneak peek into the book, Sew Mama Sew is offering a free download of the ENTIRE Seam Finishes section.  You can click on over here to check that out.

AND, to celebrate the release of her new book, Nancy has put together a prize package worth over $450!  Nice!

Book Tour Grand Prize

You can enter to win that here on Nancy’s blog.

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Disclosure:  I was provided a copy of Sewing A to Z to review.  Opinions are my own.  And yes…that confession is 100% true.

If you’re so inclined, you can check out the rest of the book tour as follows:

15-Aug          Nancy Zieman’s blog
16-Aug          Whipstitch
17-Aug          Sew Mama Sew
18-Aug          Diary of a Quilter
20-Aug          Amy’s Creative Side
22-Aug          Quiltville
23-Aug          Crap I’ve Made
24-Aug          Eileen Roche’s blog
25-Aug          I’m Just a Guy Who Quilts
26-Aug          The Free Motion Quilting Project
27-Aug         
Sew Serendipity
29-Aug          Lazy Girls Designs
30-Aug          Pat Sloan Blog
31-Aug          Tallgrass Prairie Studio
1-Sep          True Up
2-Sep          Sew News
6-Sep          Off the Cuff Sewing Style
7-Sep          V and Co.
8-Sep         
The Cottage Home
9-Sep          Colette Patterns 

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Comments

  1. That book looks fantastic!! Off to check out the seams link.

  2. I’m not a beginner when it comes to cushions and home furnishings but completely useless at sewing clothing, may have to give this book a try, i need all the help i can get.

  3. Loved watching Nancy on PBS!!

  4. my goodness…. lots to do!

  5. Love all the highlights you posted about, especially #1!!!

  6. I still watch Nancy on TV! Looks like a terrific book!! Great for a Xmas gift.

  7. My Hubby watches Nancy with me :)

  8. This looks super helpful.

  9. This looks like a fantastic book for a newbie sewer like me!

  10. Looks like a fabulous book that a new sewer like myself could really use. Thanks for the review!

  11. Heather J. says:

    Looks like a great book. Thanks for the review!

  12. Thanks for the review! I am a beginning sewer/quilter and am probably going to get the book at some point. They didn’t teach us to sew in 9th grade unless you count the stuffed football thing we were supposed to make. My turned out as just a flat stuffed disk :(

  13. Natalya Hoak says:

    Thanks for the inside look into the book! I’ve been looking for this book in my local Barnes and Noble and they didn’t have it. I will have to keep on searching!

  14. This is a definite must have book from all I’ve seen so far in this blog tour. If I’m not lucky enough to win I will for sure be buying one for mysefl.

  15. Char, that book really does look great. I am heading over to Nancy’s blog to enter for sure! Thanks for sharing this with all of us.

    Blessings,
    LaVonne @ Long Wait For Isabella

  16. Kimberly P. says:

    I’ve been sewing for years, but there are so many techniques I have yet to learn/master. This book looks fabulous!! I will be working on getting my hands on it for sure. Thanks for sharing your review!

  17. crap i’ve made, i love your book review!! dittos on all of your comments, especially #1 and #2.. can’t imagine winning so many fine goodies.:>)

  18. The more reviews I read about this book (following the blog tour, and I just added yours to my reader!), the more I am convinced that I need to have it in my collection. Thanks for the review!

  19. I always feel in need of a brush up, and I’ve been sewing longer than you, Char…

  20. Loved that show! I learned to put in a zipper from watching – I think the book would be an awesome reference guide to have on hand. And while I won’t do the math, my grandma first set me on her knee when I was 3 to learn to sew on a treadle machine.

  21. Erma Kelso says:

    I would love to win. Have been watcing Nancy for a long, long, time and she always puts out good stuff.

  22. I love that her blog tour is showing me a bunch of new blogs. I loved your review and I love your blog!

  23. I like the looks of that book. I’m getting back into sewing after a long hiatus. Thanks for the review!

  24. Thanks for the review. Love that it is spiral. Looks great from the other reviews also.

  25. I am really excited about this book. I started sewing a little over a year ago and have just kind of been winging it…

  26. What a great review, I can’t wait to see it in person either.

  27. I’ve been thinking about getting a good beginner’s book, and this one looks like what I want… I haven’t touched a sewing machine since I was about 8 or 9? Still have the skirt my Nana helped me make, though!

  28. Can never have too many sewing books in my humble pin-pricked opinion! :-) Great blog! Thanks!

  29. Barbara S says:

    So glad you liked the book Char, thanks so much for sharing this!

  30. Great review! Need to get a copy of this book!

  31. Jessie Agnew says:

    Okay, it’s official: I need this book. Too bad my birthday is two months away! I’ve got a long wait. :,-0

  32. I love watching her on pbs (I don’t have cable) especially because I am a sewing novice and for some reason patterns are a foreign language!

  33. jeanettesquiltin says:

    I love watching Sewing with Nancy, I wish she was on more.

  34. Teresa pocketofsun says:

    Thank you for reviewing Nancy’s new book. I just found her show on PBS a few weeks ago and started learning to sew over the summer. Glad this blog book tour has allowed me to become aware of all the great blogs with information on sewing/quilting to assist me in the future.

  35. Allison C says:

    I’m a newbie quilter and sewer. I would love to win this!

  36. I’ve had about the same experience with watching Nancy as you did. My babies watched their little shows and mama watched hers. I agree that this book would be valuable for any season sewer…can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.

  37. After using a couple of the tips from this book, I think it’s time I started watching Nancy. Wow! She has some great ideas to share.

  38. Ahhh, WJ Middle School sewing with Mrs. Pauni and the Units – good times. I am just beginning to learn to sew and I admit I watch her now on PBS!

    • Char @ Crap I've Made says:

      Bahahaha! I had Miss Greaves and I made a polka dot jumper that I cinched with a belt. I still have it around here somewhere and I swear I’m going to pull it out and blog about it one of these days…

  39. Thanks for the review. I think this must be a fantastic book. My neighbor is an excellent seamstress–was once a professional seamstress–and she tells me she watches Nancy Z. and learns from her. That’s good enough for me.

  40. This book looks great!

  41. I’ve watched Nancy on tv for years! I love quilting but the last garment I made was a pair of sweatpants in eight grade! Sounds like this would be a great book for me.

  42. What an awesome book. Have always loved watching Nancy.

  43. Quiet the package to win.

  44. We used to have to watch Nancy Z as well…but we were kids and had no choice b/c our mother would shoot us down with her eyes of lazer beams if we complained. Or tell us to go outside, which was just as bad. I’ve been sewing since I was 10 (with a machine, by hand way before that) and totally look at her as an icon.

  45. This looks like such a great book.
    ~a

  46. I just love this book. I need every tip I can get my hands on.

  47. Thanks for the review. I’ve downloaded the seams link. Would enjoy this book I think.

  48. Thanks for the review!!

  49. CathyC in Alberta says:

    Looks like a great reference book even for a long time sewing/quilt person. Thanks for the review.

  50. This looks like such a great book to own.

  51. This is a very valuable book!

  52. I love this! How cool that you get to review the book! I am excited to watch her online, have not had TV for a while.

  53. I’d love to win Nancy’s book. I think I could benefit greatly from her instructions.

  54. I’m a self-taught seamstress, so obviously my knowledge is limited! Would love a copy of this book.

  55. How fun!! I started sewing awhile ago – but it has been slow:)

  56. Thank you for the review and the links.

  57. This looks like a great book. I to started sewing in 9th grade and I don’t want to get all mathical on you but it was at least 20 years ago. Back when tearing the fabric was the way to go.

  58. I think this will be great for my 12-year-old daughter for Christmas. I’m a self-taught sewer and I donn’t want her to learn my bad habits!

  59. Great review and the book looks fabulous :)

  60. Great book review, it sounds great!

  61. It looks like a great reference book.

  62. I am excited about this new book! I predominately quilt and love her easy tips. Whenever I venture into clothing I turn right to her references. I tape her show weekly and can’t imagine trying new things without her tips and instructions. I think this goes on the Christmas list for me and both of my daughters.

  63. Amanda Hancock says:

    Wow. That really does look like a great book. I’m jealous. I would love one! Thanks for the great review!

  64. I love Nancy too! I imagine I need to ge this book, too….luckily SWN is on here at 7:00am so DH isn’teven awake yet:-). No shushing needed…

  65. I loved Sewing with Nancy when we had tv. I’m so glad to be connected to your blog and hers now! Thanks!

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  70. First I was shocked and saddened about the news of Nancy’s health.. I LOVE watching quilting programs. I learned of her misfortune as I was trying to find out the brand name of the iron she used on the last PBS Pledge show.. It looked so great.. But of course Nancy made every thing look EASY & GREAT.. Blessings Char

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