Sewing School: 21 Sewing Projects Kids Will Love to Make

by Andria Lisle, Amie Petronis Plumley

Overview

Kids everywhere discovering the wonder and joy found in simple needle and thread. And while sewing offers lots of benefits for children — it nurtures creativity, cognitive ability, coordination, and confidence and is a skill they’ll use their whole lives — kids know that it’s just plain fun.

Authors Amie Petronis Plumley and Andria Lisle teach a sewing camp in Tennessee that has earned praise from delighted children and parents. When families clamored for more, Plumley and Lisle launched a blog, sewingschool.blogspot.com, to rave reviews. Now, they’ve channeled the best of their children’s sewing projects into this lively, how-to sew book for ages five and up.

Featuring 21 inspired projects for young sewers, Sewing School allows kids to create fabric masterpieces with minimal supervision. All projects have been kid-tested, most can be made using simple hand stitches, and all can be embellished with personal touches. To further inspire young crafters, the book is full of photos and quotes from real boys and girls who have participated in the authors’ sewing camp.

Projects include items that children can hug (pillows, doll, blanket), hold (wallet, tote, drawstring pouch), give as gifts (coasters, glasses case, pot holder), and wear (sleep mask, hat, cuffs). Each project features step-by-step instructions written at a second-grade reading level, a close-up photo of every step, and a photo of the finished project. The book includes full-sized cutout patterns and instructions for how grown-ups can help.

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781603425780
Publisher:	Storey Books
Publication date:	11/27/2010
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	262,595
Product dimensions:	9.40(w) x 9.40(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	5 - 10 Years

About the Author

Andria Lisle is the Public Relations and Public Programs Manager at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. She and Amie Petronis Plumley are the authors ofSewing Schooland run a summer Sewing School camp.

Amie Plumley teaches kindergarten, where she utilizes her creative background and her Masters Degree in Education to inspire students to sew in the classroom, in an after-school Sewing Club, and at a summer camp. She is the mother of two small children and lives in Tennessee.

Table of Contents

A Note to You from the Authors
About this Book: An Introduction for Adults

Welcome to Sewing School!
Lesson One: How to Use this Book
Lesson Two: In Your Sewing Kit
Lesson Three: Finding Out about Fabric
Lesson Four: Sewing School Rules
Lesson Five: Ready, Set, Thread
Lesson Six: Get Your Stitch On
Lesson Seven: Patterns Down Pat
Lesson Eight: Button Up
Lesson Nine: Bring Your Project to Life
Lesson Ten: Stuff It!
Lesson Eleven: Making Casings
Lesson Twelve: Pop Quiz

Hug
So Soft Pillow, Stuffies, Your Little Friend, Take-It-With-You Blanket

Hold It!
Hold-My-Stuff Bag, Wonder Wallet, Draw-It-Up Tote, Just-Right Pouch, Get-to-Work Apron

Give
Cute Coasters, Quiet Mouse, Eye-See-You Case, Too-Hot Holder

Wear
Sweet Dreams Mask, Hat Attack!, Superhero Cuff, My Doll's Very Own Skirt, My Very Own Skirt, My Very Own Apron

Recycle & Repair
Save-My-T-Shirt Pillow, Scrappy Art Pin, Felt Patch, Iron-On Patch, Where Oh Where Is My Button?, My Hem is Falling!, Repair That Rip, Close Those Holes

Vet Clinic
Holey Moley!, Have You Seen My Leg?, I Can't See!

Look It Up: Sewing School Dictionary
Find It Yourself: Sewing School Resource Guide
Index
 

Editorial Reviews

"Fun projects & clear instructions combine for the perfect recipe to get kids hooked on handmade."

host of the Craftsanity podcast Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood

"Fun projects & clear instructions combine for the perfect recipe to get kids hooked on handmade."

www.craftypod.com Diane Gilleland

"A thoroughly engaging way to learn one of the most empowering skills around...I would have spent hours and hours with this book when I was a kid."

From the Publisher

This is a great resource for educators, parents, or adults to use and share with children. Kids will be able to share their work and say proudly, "I made that myself." The fun projects and easy to follow instructions make for a perfect outcome. Kids will learn how to make masks, wallets, coasters, or even repair a rip or falling hem. Sewing School separates the book into small valuable lessons of sewing; such as an introduction for adults, how to use the book, in your sewing kit, and finding out about fabric. As the book progresses, the sewing and excitement will begin. Kids will be able to thread a needle, create several different types of stitches, work with patterns, and sew a button. Children will also be able to assess their progress by following the pictures accompanying each stage of a sewing activity. Pattern pieces are neatly packaged in the back of the book for each sewing activity. The back cover also incorporates a ruler to assist with the various sewing projects. This is a charming and engaging way to learn such a great skill that can be used way beyond childhood. Reviewer: Lisette Baez

Children's Literature - Lisette Baez

Gr 2–8—These projects were tested by kids between the ages of 5 and 13, and there is no denying their appeal or their ability to instruct and inspire. After learning the basics (threading a needle, knots, simple stitches), beginners can easily dive into the initial projects—a needle holder and pincushion. A ratings system guides intermediate sewers to items that require more skill, like doll clothing and skirts, with plenty of tasks in between that build confidence and experience. Almost everything is hand sewn, with any machine use acknowledged in the "Note for Grown-Ups" sections that identify the steps requiring adult help. The authors have a fun and encouraging writing style, offering tips to personalize projects and breezily stressing that results do not have to be perfect. Also helpful are the practical techniques like repairing rips and holes or replacing buttons. Bright photos add to the enjoyment and provide guidance for the step-by-step instructions. A "Sewing School Dictionary" and "Resource Guide" are included. However, librarians may find that the ebook binding and the attached envelope of patterns will make it difficult to keep everything complete and intact. These features make the book better suited as an excellent gift idea for creative kids or for adults conducting youth-centered group activities.—Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library

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