Sew Fast Sew Easy Sew On by Elissa K. Meyrich is an all-out, hip manual to the art of sewing and serging. Made by the founder and president of SewFastSewEasy, a company renowned for helping everyday hipsters become competent seamsters, it is a thorough and appealing handbook for novices to the art of garment creation.

The first thing you notice when you open up the book is that it just looks good. The illustrations, even for highly technical things like threading an overlock machine, are compelling to look at. The subtle use of colors and the intriguing lines are quite frankly, cool. It is a strange experience finding yourself admiring an illustration of a seam ripper, but definitely not an unpleasant one, nor an uncommon one, when reading this book.

As for content, Sew Fast Sew Easy Sew On thoroughly covers the basics of the sewing process, from choosing tools and fabrics, to understanding patterns, to instructions on how to use a sewing machine and serger, to tips on simple sewing techniques like sewing on buttons and how to make a hem. It also includes very handy charts and a glossary. Most importantly though, it contains step by step instructions and included patterns for five projects, such as a simple T-shirt and an iPod holder. I personally, am a big fan of the "hipster drawstring pants," and although it would not be flattering on me, I do appreciate the look of a "scarf halter wrap-around dress" on members of the fairer sex.

The instructions for these projects, and in the book as a whole, are very thorough, and it is very clear that Elissa K. Meyrich is a veteran teacher. Her hours teaching classes at Parsons School of Design and at her company in New York City show through. One of her instructions for threading a sewing machine tells you to turn the handwheel slowly "TOWARDS" you, and just hints at the many, many novices who must have turned the wheel the wrong way.

Her instructions are generally very good, but in a few instances can be a little difficult to understand. For example, early in the book she mentions the right side of fabric, without ever defining it. After a reading a little farther you can figure out it is the side of the fabric that is going to be on the outside of the garment, but in the meantime it can be confusing for a beginner. Such problems are minor though, and do not seriously hamper the book. For those who really want to make something neat, this book will help you do it.

Sew Easy Sew Fast Sew On is a thorough, useful, and stylish book for those intent on learning the art of of clothes creation, and is available at www.sewfastseweasy.com. Also, check out the lessons on the website for some of the best DIY clothing training in New York City and on the web.