Book offers information on fabrics from A to W

Recently, a copy of “More Fabric Savvy,” by Sandra Betzina, published this year by The Taunton Press, found its way to my desk.

In the book’s introduction, Betzina writes: “Shopping for fabric has never been more exciting, or more intimidating.” That’s because in addition to all the fabrics seamstresses and tailors know and love, such as cotton, wool, linen and silk, many new fabrics, some many of us have never heard of, are now available.

The book contains information and tips for sewing fabrics, from A – African mud cloth and alpaca to W – woolens and worsteds.

In the book, a follow-up to her first book, “Fabric Savvy,” Betzina has organized alphabetically more than 200 pages of information about 100 fabrics. Another 30 or so pages is devoted to seams, closures, hems, stain removal, sources, glossary and an index. The book is designed to be a quick reference guide. It has a wire spiral binding, which makes it stay open and, therefore, easy to consult.

The first entry in Betzina’s pantheon of fabric is African mud cloth. A Fabric Fact tells the reader that the cloth is sold by the piece, not by the yard. The entry doesn’t say how the cloth is made, by whom or where to buy it. I wish it did.

Nor does a list of fabric sources in a section near the end of book say where a specific fabric may be purchased. And therein lies the book’s weakness. A list of several sources on each fabric entry page would enhance the book’s otherwise user-friendly characteristics.

However, the author tells what each fabric is suitable for, how to preshrink it and what size sewing needle to use with it. Other information about each fabric includes tips on seam finishes, pressing, layout, marking, cutting and closures.

The author gives sewing tips in blue or yellow boxes, which are easy to spot. One of those tips gives directions for “unshrinking” a wool sweater. Another tells how to prevent wavy seams in knits. And yet another tells how to eliminate static cling when wearing a chiffon skirt.

As I worked my way through the book, I put pink sticky notes on the pages that gave information about fabrics that piqued my sewing interest. These fabrics include the African mud cloth; hemp cloth; Sunbrella which is used to make cushion covers for outdoor furniture; Tencel, made from pulp wood fiber; Viyella, a 50-50 wool and cotton blend, and wool gauze.

I also found myself lingering over silk organza, mohair, beaded fabrics and burnout velvet. Yes, visions of flirty skirts, frilly blouses and palazzo pants were dancing in my head.

Sandra Betzina, who lives in San Francisco, is the host of HGTV’s “Sew Perfect.” She is the author of four sewing books. She also designs her own line of patterns for Vogue Pattern Co.

To obtain more information about the book, visit www

.sandrabetzina.com, e-mail tp@taunton.com, or stop by your local bookstore or library.

Snippets

The Clueless Quilters will display quilts made by the group’s members on Stetson Day, Saturday Oct. 16, at the meeting house in Stetson.

The Bangor Fiber Arts Guild meets 6-8 p.m. the second Monday of each month at Cityside Yarn Co., Main Street, Bangor. There is no fee to join the group, which includes knitters, crocheters, spinners and weavers of all ability levels. The guild does community service projects, including Project Linus, which provides “security” blankets to children experiencing life crises. Future programs include a sock clinic on Nov. 8 and a yarn swap on Dec. 6.

SAD 22 Adult Education in Hampden offers classes in scrapbooking, basket making, felting, knitting and rug braiding. Call 862-6422 for more information.

Space is still available in the Fiber Art Design Workshop to be presented by Natasha Kempers-Cullen from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 16-17 at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Rockport. Call 236-2875 to reserve space.

Ardeana Hamlin welcomes suggestions. Call 990-8153, or e-mail ahamlin@bangordailynews.net.