Whatever you do - don't buy any of those Sewing for Dummies patterns! The book is fine, the patterns can be a nightmare. I admit I am not a garment sewer and failed miserably at it in HS, however I wanted to make a blanket coat for my Dachshund. I figured a Sewing for Dummies pattern was the perfect solution, that even I couldn't screw it up. I had so much trouble with it I had a friend who is an excellent seamstress look it over. It wasn't me. There was an error in the pattern. Come to find out there were others in the line with problems. Quality control might be better now, but it made me finally give up any notion of sewing for me or the dog!