The Sewing Machine Master Guide: From Basic to Expert Paperback – September 24, 2013

Large manual of information! Anything you want to know about a sewing machine!

After buying an older industrial Pfaff, I was curious to see if I could get a ruffle attachment for it. Most online sites either give you a picture and nothing else or show a leaflet that comes with them, no usable description. This book shows the YS Star model I was considering and sure enough, there is both an domestic and industrial model. Had I purchased one on eBay and it was domestic, I would NOT have been happy. They aren't cheap, either.This is why a book like this is helpful. The various types of industrials are explained. Anyone who is doing a bit of upholstery or leather work will get some guidance on walking foot models. Clutch and servo motors are important considerations if your serious about a more industrial machine as well. Fabrics, stitch formation (coverstitch machine anyone?), basic repair tools, adjusting bobbins cases and bobbins sizes explained.I was also glad to see a number of vintage Morse and other Japanese domestic machines. I should mention here that at least some Morse models were made by Toyota. Maybe not the cache of better known names but workhorse nonetheless.It never occurred to me bobbins could be warped or burred, something else I got from the book. It's a good way to kick tires so to speak if you're considered adding to your herd, an upgrade or just starting out. It beats having to return something that wasn't a good fit or performer for your needs. You'll appreciate the fact there isn't any talking down or a ton of techno speak. When you consider most machine showrooms (particularly industrial models) are far and few in between and with a heavier emphasis on vacuum cleaners where domestic machines are sold, a book like this bridge a gap. Good, clear pictures were also a plus.

This is a well written and informative book that has been almost perfect for filling in my knowledge gaps after five months researching and buying several domestic and industrial sewing machines, but my copy of the book has some issues—Specifically, there are large, blank spaces on numerous pages instead of an image or diagram referred to in the text, leaving me to wonder if the images were completely deleted during printing or if they have been shifted to another page or something, or both. If it’s just a formatting error, then it’s an annoyance and I’ll eventually make sense of it after further study and review; if diagrams and photographs have actually gone completely missing, then I didn’t receive the publication promised and will be rather disappointed, because the writing is competent and the information is relevant, only I’m left with an end product that is not as the author intended. At best, it’s a waste of paper printing a book with so much white space between paragraphs. When I get a few extra minutes while I have the book handy, I’ll snap a few photos so potential readers as well as the author and publisher can see (and hopefully correct) what I’m describing. That said, I still recommend this book and only wish I received a copy with less imperfections.

Not what I expected or wanted,good for others but I'm fairly experienced with all types of sewing machines, a very good book for lots of people I would recommend it!!!!

The author of this amazing book (published in 2013) has written an easy to understand Master Guide. For decades I had to take my machines to the sewing repair shop and spend lots of money for resetting the timing, mostly. This book has many pictures and adequate information about various types of machines and how to take care of them and fix them when I haven't. I have domestic and commercial machines and there is information for all of the different types. I haven't had time to read the entire book, but just thumbing through it I know it was money well spent. There are many resources and websites in the back pages.

This is a broad overview of sewing machines, antique to current models. While this does a nice job of describing Singer sewing machines through the decades (& giving sage reviews of which are good ones, vs. ones that are notoriously unreliable), the book glosses past some brands that could've used some mention (for example, Kenmore--a long-time brand with a loyal fanbase--is simply lumped under "Japanese" brands with no real distinction, let along descriptions of models, etc.Also, this gives some decent repair-oriented instructions, but gives little info. in regard to servicing/repair tools (lubricants get quite a bit of attention though). So that was a little disappointing. I'd imagine that users & collectors of machines would appreciate having informed recommendations on what tools to have on hand.So this is a decent, entry-level book, but still leaves folks who collect/repair vintage machines wishing for more.

If you maintain your own machine, you need this book. Clear writing, useful troubleshooting and adjustments with excellent illustrations. This is the "missing manual" that I wish I'd hadtwenty years ago. Essential tips for buying a new or used home or industrial machine. Contains both basic and advanced trouble shooting, tuning, and adjustments. Could it be better, perhaps, but there isn't another single source that is as helpful and comprehensive. It does show photos of wedge shaped mechanics screwdrivers that I don't use. Instead get a set of hollow ground bits where the sides of the blade are parallel to avoid damaging screws.