Let me try to be a bit more balanced than "Deke." What Deke leaves out is that, right at the outset of this well-written and well-illustrated book, Casey states that the book is laid out as a graduated set of projects...starting from easy, "broadsheet" projects, which includes a bimini, stepping through more and more detailed projects...a well thought-out presentation that will overcome a laymen's anxieties about learning these new skills, and overcoming our own "Nay-saying." I've talked to a number of sailors that do their own canvas work, and they all say the biggest hurdle is telling ourselves we dont know how and we can't do it. This book breaks that nay-sayer's ice...start small, get used to the machine by doing things like duffle bags and winch and bumper covers...and graduate to bigger and more involved projects. Any skill like this comes from hands-on DOING, so I really don't get what Deke's expecting out of a book...you're not going to end up a Journeyman canvas-worker from a book...just get a machine (FS-288Z...a clone of the LSZ-1!)...and dig in.

This book is okay as a basic intro to sewing, but is 90% about small canvas craft items you can make for your boat - and doesn't really get into sail repair at all.
I picked up a few pointers from the book, but overall would recommend something more in-depth if you're serious about sail repair.

I wanted to know how to do it myself. Buy a sailrite sewing machine or at least a leather palm and even men who never sewed in their lives can repair a rip in the mainsail.