Simplicity simply the best sewing book: the essential reference for all home sewers by [illustrations by Kuo Kang Chen]

This book is a terrific place to start for those wishing to begin sewing with commercial patterns. It also includes a lot of general sewing information that will be useful whether you're using patterns or not. If you're wondering how to achieve a particular technique or need to know how to decipher some sewing instructions, this book will likely have the information you're looking for.

Zombie felties: how to raise 16 gruesome felt creatures from the undead by Nicola Tedman & Sarah Skeate

Who doesn't love a cute zombie? This book has a whole cast of the adorable undead, from the Thrilla, Classic, and Bunny Zombies seen on the cover to zombie kitties, babies, brides, and many more. These crafts are easy to make and a lot of fun besides. Find more about zombie felties on Facebook.

Sewing in a straight line: quick & crafty projects you can make by simply sewing straight by Brett Bara — What could be easier than sewing in a straight line? This book is a great choice for a beginner, since each project teaches you how to do a handful of techniques, but none are so complicated as to be overwhelming. There are garments, blankets, accessories, household items, and more, so there's bound to be at least one project that appeals to you. Check out the author's website for more info and videos about some of the projects.

Sew up a home makeover : 50 simple sewing projects to transform your space by Lexie Barnes — This book not only contains a wide variety of sewing projects, it also includes important information on how to plan for a makeover. It's easy to get inspired but forget to think about the function of the space or to plan a realistic budget, and those items and more are covered here. Home makeover projects often involve not only your sewing kit, but items from your tool bench, and this book makes it easy to plan for those needs. Included are ideas for children's rooms at various ages, a craft room, as well as many a la carte projects.

Sewing 101 : a workshop in a book by [editors of Creative Publishing, International] — Are you looking to learn how to sew, to refresh your skills, or to expand beyond the very basics? This book can help with all of these things. Many basic sewing books stick to instructions for working with cotton or fleece, but this one includes several projects and how-to tips for working with knits. It also features garments for adults in addition to the stand-by aprons, pillows, and placemats.

Simple stitches. Sewing : 25 projects for the new sewer by Cheryl Owen — When you're just starting out sewing, it can be difficult to come up with a project that's fully satisfying: many patterns are challenging and complicated, or if the pattern is simple, the resulting finished object looks simple, too. This book is full of projects that are perfect for a beginning sew-er and end up looking like they took a lot more know-how.

The dressmaker's handbook of couture sewing techniques : essential step-by-step techniques for professional results by Lynda Maynard — Making your own clothing, or making for others, can be deeply satisfying, but when the insides don't look as good as the outsides or the garment can't survive being laundered, one can quickly get frustrated. This book offers instructions for techniques for finishing, for showing off special details, for hiding what you don't want to show off, and for selecting the right techniques for your project. Also included is a directory of fine fabrics, including how to handle them and special techniques that will help preserve their luxury feel.

All dolled up : sewing clothes and accessories for girls and their 18-inch dolls by Joan Hinds — Do any of the little girls in your life have American Girl or other 18" dolls? This book includes instructions and patterns for over a dozen articles of clothing and accessories for both dolls and the little girls who love them. A few variations for 15" baby dolls are also included. You can see a video about the book and check out more about the author at her website, Fancywork and Fashion.

Millinery by Estelle Ramousse ; Fabienne Gambrelle ; photography, Florent de La Tullaye — This book starts with a brief history of hat-making and then takes you right into the workshop to see exactly how to make hats. A professional milliner shows step-by-step how to construct your own hats in several styles and using a variety of sewing and other techniques.

Bags pillows & pincushions — Do you want to sew a bag, a pillow, or a pincushion? Look no further! This book has got you covered. The patterns contained here are designed to showcase beautiful fabrics as well as to be useful. As you can see on the cover, some patterns also provide an opportunity to embroider and use things like buttons to embellish your projects. These patterns range from beginning to more advanced skill levels.

Sewing school: 21 sewing projects kids will love to make by Amie Petronis Plumley & Andria Lisle; photography by Justin Fox Burks — This book is a perfect place for any kid to start to learn to sew. For that matter, it's so easy to follow and well-designed, it's a great start for a sewing novice of any age. Covering hand-stitching and basic sewing machine techniques, you can learn to make a pincushion, a pillow, and a stuffed animal just to start with.

Illustrated guide to sewing home furnishings : expert techniques for creating custom shades, drapes, slipcovers and more — Have you ever seen a gorgeous fabric in the store but thought you didn't have the skills to make it into curtains, a pillow, or a slipcover? Look no further, this book has clear instructions that will allow you to teach yourself as you go. It includes a variety of techniques as well as instructions for calculating yardage and other seemingly tricky parts of the process.

Amy Butler's style stitches : 12 easy ways to 26 wonderful bags! by photographs by David Butler — Amy Butler is back with another great book of stylish items you can make yourself. This time it's handbags, and the variety of styles here means you're sure to find something that suits your needs. Because you can completely change the look of a bag by choosing a unique fabric, you could go with the bold prints Butler is known for, or select something different that makes the statement you're looking for.

Stitched so cute! by Mary Engelbreit — Parents or grandparents looking for cute projects to decorate their children's rooms, look no further. Everyone else, there are also a lot of adorable projects here for you, too! Complete with patterns and instructions, this book offers the tools to make the projects pictured and then expand to your own original ideas. The toadstool pincushion is my favorite, what's yours?

The sewing machine attachment handbook by Charlene Phillips — Many of us who sew start out with the basic presser foot and can sew happily for quite some time without the need to use any other attachments. But there are a ton of useful attachments that can make particular sewing techniques a breeze, and allow you to expand your repertoire to include effects you might have thought were too complicated. Just flipping through this book, I discovered several attachments I'd never heard of which I know will save me time and effort.

Simply sublime gifts : high-style, low-sew projects to make in a snap by Jodi Kahn ; photography by Scott Jones ; illustrations by Kate Francis — We all love the idea of a handmade gift, but often it's difficult to make the time to create something from scratch. No worries! Here you'll find nearly 30 gifts that you can make from materials as easily at hand as dishtowels, shammy cloths, and empty cardboard containers like cereal boxes. Some of the patterns are even available online.

Sew retro : 25 vintage-inspired projects for the modern girl & a stylish history of the sewing revolution by Judi Ketteler
This book is a treasure trove for the home sewer. It offers quick glimpses into the history of home sewing and includes easy projects inspired by vintage pieces. The vintage color photographs and illustrations are enough to make this a fun book to flip through, but the projects are also great for hobby seamstresses at any level.

Simple sewing: the complete illustrated machine-side reference of tips and techniques by Beth Baumgartel
Have you ever needed to mend a ripped seam, or wanted to make your own simple curtains, but weren't sure where to start? These and many, many other projects are detailed here, along with basic guides to sewing machines, working with patterns, and a guide to fabrics. This is an ideal book to have at hand when sewing at home.

The sewing answer book by Barbara Weiland Talbert
This handy little book has answers to hundreds of the most common questions home sewers find themselves asking. If you've got a problem working with plaids, need help adjusting a pattern to fit your personal size, or wonder what maintenance your machine might need, this book has the answer.

One-yard wonders : look how much you can make with just one yard of fabric! by Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins ; photography by John Gruen ; photo styling by Raina Kattelson

Ever find yourself with just a yard of a truly excellent fabric but no idea how to use such a small amount of material? Wonder no more - this book is filled with over one hundred projects that use no more than a yard of fabric. There are things to wear and use around the house, and lots of clothing and items for children. Don't miss the very first project in the book, written by metro Detroit local Bethany Nixon of Reware Vintage and Handmade Detroit.