Rebekah Wilson has done it again. She keeps publishing the most wonderful books that my girls and I just love! This time, and four years in the making, we have the first in a series, "Needlework Skills: Book 1/A Hand Sewing Primer" this is not only a gorgeous book, hardcover, full color illustrations, over 150 pages, it is full of wisdom to create beautiful heirloom sewing projects.

"Needlework Skills: Book 1/A Hand Sewing Primer" starts at the very basic foundations of sewing; a well stocked sewing basket. This book leads us through the basics to start hand sewing successfully with the proper tools. It will also teach you the proper stitches and how to sew them. This is fast becoming a lost skill!

Rebekah takes us through learning about "thread counts", various needles, types of fabric, yarns and threads, supplies and accessories, scissors, thimbles, needle threaders and more.

We then dive into the lessons. Talk about thorough! There are 8 lessons that teach so many stitches and skills! Look at what you learn with just Lesson One:
To Thread a Needle, To Make A Knot, Even Basting Stitch, Uneven Basting Stitch, Running Stitch, Back Stitch, Half Back Stitch, Overcast Stitch, Overhand Stitch, Herringbone or Catch Stitch, Blanket Stitch, Buttonhole Stitch, Hemming Stitch, Cross Stitch, Uses for the Different Stitches, and a Twelve Stitch Sampler. Wow.

Each lesson and skill taught is building a foundation of skills to complete future lessons that will reinforce these skills already learned, for mastery. You will learn 17 embroidery stitches, 12 basic hand sewing stitches, and seven Gingham Embroidery stitches. Some of the projects include: Basic Crochet of a potholder, Basic Quilting of a Table Runner, and even an Heirloom Infant Bib! The lessons are a gentle and easy introduction to the joy of handiwork skills, and every lesson creates a finished project that can be placed in the Hope Chest, given as a gift, or used in the home.

Rebekah Wilson's teaching style is easy to follow, a joy to learn from, and always complete. We are using this book as part of our homeschool curriculum, the children love it! We can't wait to see the next book in this series!

Why would you not appreciate such a wonderful book? Sadly, we live in an era where it seems no one wants to take the time and love needed to hand craft something. Heirloom pieces of handiwork are quickly becoming a thing of the past, as are the skills taught to create them. I hope that one day my children will pass on the skills we are learning together, to their children and so on. This book teaches those fine skills, that should be embraced.

I heartily recommend "Needlework Skills: Book 1/A Hand Sewing Primer". This is a wonderful book and resource for families to use to keep these handiwork skills alive; and to pass them on to future generations.

Product Review By Lisa Barthuly, The Old Schoolhouse®, LLC, November, 2006