Growing Up Sew Liberated: Making Handmade Clothes and Projects for Your Creative Child [Paperback]

Meg McElwee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 14, 2011

Bring joy, creativity & learning to your sewing with fabulous kid-friendly projects

Meg McElwee puts her signature sewing style into gorgeous children’s clothes and creative activity-focused designs. From simple clothing to toys, Growing Up Sew Liberated is packed with innovative, playful sewing patterns. Follow the structure of a child’s day with 20 projects including:

Getting up and getting dressed: comfortable clothing patterns such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, and pocket pants.
Homemaking and cooking: projects for engaging children in helping around the house and for in the kitchen, such as aprons, bibs, and placemats.
Playtime: indoor and outdoor activities are celebrated with dolls, a cape, a satchel, and a tent.
Bedtime: snuggle in for a night in cozy pj’s and a sleep sack.

Meg adds in suggestions for projects and adventures for kids and adults to explore together and tasks that children can accomplish on their own.

Includes a techniques section, how-to photos, extra tips and tricks, and a bonus full-size pattern section, Growing Up Sew Liberated collects designs, activities, and ideas that are perfect for adding creativity into the daily life of sewists, children, and families.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Rarely, though, does a book make my heart race in the same way that it does every time I open my copy of Growing up Sew Liberated. The photos are dreamy and gorgeous, but it’s the projects that really speak to my racing heart. This book is full of patterns and instructions to make all of the things that my daughters want.” – Stefanie Japel, Craftsy.com

“The clothes are cute but not cutesy, and they look super comfortable, too. The playthings are made with learning in mind – the author is a former Montessori teacher – but they aren't earnest. The dolls and capes and play tent would doubtless provide all sorts of room for imaginative play.” – CanadianLiving.com

"I loved her first book, so I knew this one, which is devoted to the littles, would be fantastic too. And it is!...full of beautiful things to sew. Many of the projects are just right for gifts as well. I would enjoy making all of them and I know they would all be well received and loved.” – Meg Spaeth, ElsieMarley.com

“One of my favorite things about Meg's blog (and this book) is that her writing and designs are infused with experience from her years as a Montessori teacher. I love reading about how she has translated that training into parenting... Throughout the book Meg has added wonderful tips and ideas for play, learning, and involving children in household tasks that are really inspiring.” - Rae Hoekstra, Made-by-Rae.com

“I have a new favorite sewing book! The book is full of playful and easy sewing projects to make for children...Growing Up Sew Liberated is interspersed with great nuggets of wisdom about play, art materials, and learning. As a longtime reader of Meg's (since back when she was blogging as Montessori by Hand), I see the former early childhood educator coming through here.” – The Artful Parent

“Growing Up Sew Liberated is a fantastic sewing book, but more importantly it is a guide to deepening our children’s love of nature through creative play. Every project has a purpose. A child’s need for rhythm and sense of wonder are main themes throughout the book, and it is a wonderful insight into how to create a natural rhythm for any family.” – Rhythm of the Home

“This title is full of inspiration, practical sewing instruction for family projects, lovely photos, and comforting advice about creating family rhythm.” – SimpleHomeSchool.net

“INCREDIBLE! Meg has merged her early childhood education background, with her pattern making skills and mothering experience to produce a book that is filled with gorgeous clothing destined to become your child's favorites...the instructions and patterns are always straightforward so even if you don't have lots of sewing experience you can go forth with confidence.” - Maya Donenfeld, Maya*Made

“The perfect inspiration for summer sewing.” – Blair Stocker, Wise Craft

“Growing up Sew Liberated is beautifully written and styled in a manner that will inspire both you and the little ones in your world. The sewing projects have been thoughtfully put together and nestled among them are tips and ideas on connecting with your children through play and creativity.” - Jennifer Casa, JCasa *handmade

“This book is not only great resource for patterns and projects but also wisdom on family life, rhythm (one of my favorite topics),and teaching - to name just a few.” – Nicole Spring, Frontier Dreams

“Do you follow Sew Liberated [the blog]? Then you probably know what a sweet, kind, creative woman Meg is. What I love most about this book is that you can see her personality in it. You can just feel it through her writing and kid-friendly projects.” – Dana Willard, Dana-Made-It.com

“All of Meg's patterns have a timeless and classic style while keeping the fun and creativity of childhood play as their focus.” – Joanna Johnson, author, Phoebe’s Sweater

“A collection of adorable items to sew for your little one.” – The Detroit News

“If you are a mom, grandma, or anyone who has children in your life, the projects in this book will be fun to make and give.” – Bloom, Bake & Create

“Meg McElwee has a great philosophy on making kids clothes, focusing on making them comfortable, kid-friendly, practical, and adorable. As both a teacher and a mother, she designs clothes that are made for active little ones who are continually exploring their environment.” – Tricia Waddell, Editor, Stitch Magazine

“A book full of practical, creative, and educational sewing projects for babies and young children...I found her Irresistible Numbers project to be, well, irresistible. Not only are these fused-appliqué fabric sandwiches easy to make, they use up scrap fabrics in a fun way. Think of them as very tiny baby quilts.” – Pokey Bolton, editorial director, Quilting Arts magazine

"Meg’s background as a Montessori educator and mother of two shines through in the “activity-focused” designs. Infuse some extra creativity and fun into your days with Growing Up Sew Liberated!" - Sew, Mama, Sew

"Even grown-ups would find it hard to resist the lovely goodies in sewer Meg McElwee’s latest book, Growing Up Sew Liberated. A few of the patterns that caught my eye included her hideaway play tent, reversible hooded play cape, and cozy kiddo pajamas. Each project description gives readers an idea of the care that McElwee puts into creating her patterns. Her directions are clear, concise, and downright fun to see come together." - Becky Hensley, Colorado at Home, The Denver Post


More Praise for Sew Liberated:

“A fantastic sewing book.”— Cate Prato, editor, Studios magazine

“Packed with fun projects that highlight the fantastic possibilities that come with incorporating easy applique techniques.”— Craftsanity

“Grab the bag of fabric scraps along with this book for a wealth of ideas for embellishing handmade items with applique and trims to add that truly personal touch. This is a fun title.”— Sewing World

About the Author

An internationally certified Montessori teacher, Meg McElwee is a successful sewing pattern designer and the author of the Sew Liberated crafting blog, where she offers sewing tutorials and writes about motherhood and other handmade projects. She is also the author of Sew Liberated: 20 Stylish Projects for the Modern Sewist. Meg lives in North Carolina with her husband and two sons.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (June 14, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596681624
• ISBN-13: 978-1596681620
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.9 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #95,708 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

An internationally certified Montessori teacher and successful sewing pattern designer, author Meg McElwee writes about her adventures with fabric, thread, and motherhood at SewLiberated.typepad.com. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and son.

Please join in the discussion about sewing projects from Sew Liberated at the Flickr group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/sewliberatedbook/ There you will find photos of completed projects, links to any corrections/errata, and useful tips from other sewists.

Happy Sewing!

From Meg: "Sew Liberated" is a name that I chose because of its many layers of meaning and many possibilities of interpretation. For me, Sew Liberated is a way of looking at craft that is, at once, traditional and completely modern. Depending on who you are and your own preferences, you can find solace in the "traditional crafts" either as a return to a slower lifestyle, or as a fist-held-high statement of non-conformism with today's commercial culture. Personally? I identify with both reasons and don't see them as mutually exclusive. In addition, Sew Liberated touches on the personal fulfillment we experience when we create. I know that I get such a rush when I conceive of and bring to life a project, and I'm sure you feel the same.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A really great craft and family book June 6, 2011

By Mrsc1345

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I just got this book in the mail today and immediately dove in to check out the latest craft book offering. I could immediately tell it was a great purchase and after I finished it I'm convinced it's one of the best craft books I've bought to date. (and I seem to buy everyone that comes out) The book comes with a big fat stack of patterns in the back, which I love, I hate paying $$ for a book and then having to draft my own pieces or slog to the copiers to print and increase 37% or whatever... And, it comes with patterns for things I will actually make! It has really great simple clothing patterns for babies to 5t, toy/activity patterns, outside play ideas, I know I will get a lot of use from this book. Perhaps the best thing about the book is the little ideas and Montessori activities that she sprinkles throughout the book. This isn't a Montessori book persay, anyone can use and love it, but I really love the respectful Montessori method and these little ideas and reminders were great to see paired up with loving handmade ideas to make for my family. If you have young children and love to make things for them to wear, play, or use, then definately buy this book!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great sewing book! June 9, 2011

By Jean Van't Hul

Format:Paperback

This is my new favorite sewing book! It's full of playful and easy sewing projects to make for children. With many sewing books I flip through and see a few projects that I can envision sewing (or my child wearing). With this one, I want to make ALL of them. Literally. (Okay, maybe not the baby sleep sack, but that's just me. I never really got into them.)

Every project looks not only do-able and super cute, but like something that would fit our life style and my sewing abilities. These are clothes and toys that we would use over and over again - crossover tee, leggings, learning numbers, reversible cape, doll, and placemats.

I made the art satchel as soon as I received the book and my girls are already in love with it! Also labeled a "studio-on-the-go," it is made to hold crayons, markers, and a drawing pad. What a perfect way to bring the art with us this summer - in the car, to the beach, or just to the backyard. With this, a child would be well equipped to draw anywhere and everywhere.

Besides the awesome projects, Growing Up Sew Liberated is interspersed with informative sidebars about play, art materials, and learning. As a longtime reader of hers (since back when she was blogging as Montessori by Hand), I see the former early childhood educator coming through here. The sidebars provide ideas that go hand in hand with many of the projects. For example, the set of play numbers is accompanied by a two-page spread of "irresistible number activities" and an embroidered placemat project has a similar spread of "learning through everyday tasks." The sidebars definitely add a helpful multidimensional aspect to this lovely sewing book!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent instructions and ideas June 15, 2011

By Vegan Mama

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I pre-ordered this book the moment I saw the preview pictures on Meg's blog. The tent and play cape on the cover are great in and of themselves, but the Waldorf-style doll--I'm in love! The next day I had already ordered all of my supplies and I'm currently happily in the middle of constructing two dolls. I can report that the instructions are very, very clear and easy. It's helpful to read each section (head, etc.) ahead of time thoroughly to make sure that you understand the purpose behind every step and what will happen in the coming steps. I even adapted the fiber to be vegan and am happy to report that bamboo works well with the pattern.

The only thing that I am a little bit sad about is that the clothing only goes up to 5t--which my 5 year old has grown out of already--and the baby clothes are already too little for my nearly 2-year old (which isn't the book's fault--it just came out too late;). I wish the sizes went up a bit more, so I guess this is really more of a very early childhood book in that aspect. However, there's still a decent amount for an older child, including the doll, papoose, and art satchel. I won't say that I want to make every single project, but how often does that happen? This book is really a must-have.