Sewing Seams Simple For Teens: Vol. 1--Elastic Waist Pants

This sewing guide was created with teenagers in mind, but is a good introduction for people of any age. Teacher Bernadette Feener and high-school student Courtney Carroll demonstrate the basics of simple garment construction using a Simplicity brand pattern, while pointing out that any similar pattern would do. The remarkably poised Miss Carroll does quite a bit of the demonstration, and teenagers will enjoy having instruction from one of their peers. There's no discussion of fabric types and uses, or fiber content and weaves, and the segment on the selvage (the heavy loomed sides of the fabric) is not clear enough and might lead to some cutting disasters and expensive waste of fabric. However, careful reading of the instruction sheets in each commercial pattern will help novices avoid this. On balance, this is a good choice for public libraries; school libraries should consider it a supplemental title. Recommended. (R. Reagan)