Part 1: Tools of the Trade...........................................1 1 Shear Essentials...............................................3 2 The Eyes Have It: Needles and Thread..........................15 3 Power Stitching and Steam Heat................................25 4 Going with the Grain: Fabric Facts............................39 Part 2: No More Hemming and Hawing: Getting Set to Sew..............53 5 Man vs. Machine...............................................55 6 Room to Sew...................................................71 7 Ready, Set, Prep!.............................................83 Part 3: A Stitch in Time Saves Nine: Basic Techniques...............93 8 The Ace of Baste: Seams.......................................95 9 Buttons in a Snap............................................109 10 Win One for the Zipper......................................121 11 The Bottom Line: Hems.......................................133 12 Pressing Matters: Ironing Out the Wrinkles..................147 Part 4: Fashion in a Flash.........................................159 13 Tissue Issues: Understanding Commercial Patterns.... ... read full excerpt from: The complete idiot's guide to sewing ebook