Thread: Martha's sewing and fiber enclopedia - worth it?

I am intrigued by Martha Stewart's new sewing book, has anybody read or checked it yet? If so, worth the investment, or does it have too many projects like turn your husband's old shirts into pillows? The idea that it covers sewing and (to some degree at least) other fiber-related activities like dyeing sounds pretty good.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Martha-Stewarts-Encyclopedia-Sewing-Fabric/dp/0307450589]Amazon.com: Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts: Basic Techniques for Sewing, Applique, Embroidery, Quilting, Dyeing, and Printing, plus 150 Inspired Projects from A to Z (9780307450586): Martha Stewart Living Magazine: Book[/ame]

Nothing against Martha, but this sounds to me like far too many different subjects in one book for them to be covered in much depth!

I personally would look for books with more specific subject matter from writers like Nancy Zieman, Palmer and Pletsch, or something from the Taunton Press store:

Taunton Store - Crafts: Sewing

I have to warn you Martha is not very reliable on the subject of dyeing.

My first sewing book (bought in 1969) and still my favorite is the Vogue sewing book, and they seem to have updated versions out there that are highly recommended: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Sewing-Revised-Updated-Knitting-Magazine/dp/1933027002"]Amazon.com[/ame]

And here's a link I totally love, but obviously there will not be too much on sewing with stretch fabrics in it: VintageSewing.info

I'd be suspicious about how much time Martha has actually spent behind a sewing machine. I noticed that Singer is now selling a 'commercial' sewing machine ... for $200 - $300 .. with Martha's endorsement on it... and everything that can possibly be made out of plastic on that machine is. Come on, people, are sewing foot levers and thread spindles THAT expensive to make up in metal these days?