Home sewing is on the upswing, as it usually is during bad economic times. I eagerly learned how to sew in junior high school as neither my mom nor my grandmothers knew how. It turns out that many young folks do not know how to sew nor do they have family members who can easily teach them. Pattern companies, though, are putting out lines to entice the young potential home-sewer to the pleasures of sewing by making crafts, such as cell phone holders. (In my day, it was eyeglass cases!) With practice, and home economics classes, I learned how to put in sleeves, zippers and waistbands to the point I could sew my entire school wardrobe during the summer. I spent hours in the fabric shop up the street; now you would be hard pressed to find such a store – they’re craft and fabric stores. Additionally, sturdy, reliable sewing machines without all the bells and whistles can be purchased for about $100 so the novice can get the basics down.

Now, with all the enticements out there, just how do you get started? Your local library to the rescue! Here is a listing of sewing titles available through the library in all formats. DVDs can talk you through that sewing step while books allow you to read and reread the instructions accompanying the step-by-step photos. You can even find materials (no pun intended) giving you ideas about different projects, such as aprons, skirts and home decorating. There are books for the beginning sewer as well as for the never-have-sewn.

To get you started right now, here is some sewing vocabulary:

• staystitching
• selvedge
• reverse sewing
• preparing your fabric
• view

If you can define or describe these terms, you're set to hit the pattern books!

For the tweens and teens, check out the Monster Making craft project at a branch near you coming in January. This is a great way to introduce your young ones to the art of sewing.