Long before basic sewing needle options evolved as “sharps” or “betweens,” cave-era folks simply threaded bone shard and animal horn with sinew or plant fiber to stitch animal skins into outerwear.

Sewing is a skill that comes in handy more often than you think. If you’d like to handle clothing alterations yourself or tackle more DIY projects, pick up a book to help you learn to sew. Books that ...