A guide for beginners and experienced users, this provides advice on how to sew various fabrics; describes a range of stitches and their potential uses; includes sewing tips, shortcuts and techniques for professional finishes and for the most economic use of materials as well as time-saving methods. Instructions are included for decorative techniques suitable for a particular type of fabric and there is also advice on buying a new machine together with a chart showing the most notable sewing features of some popularly used sewing machines. The book aims to give users the confidence to exploit their machines to their full potential. Ann Ladbury's television presentations include "Dressmaker", "Weekend Wardrobe" and "Children's Wardrobe".