Sewing School: 21 Sewing Projects Kids Will Love to Make [Spiral-bound]

Andria Lisle (Author), Amie Plumley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 27, 2010 | Age Range: 8 and up

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.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

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 (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

Written by a kindergarten teacher and a journalist who have taught many children to sew, this large-format book offers appealing projects illustrated with color photos of step-by-step directions as well as kids engaged in sewing and showing off work. The opening 12 lessons begin at the very beginning with topics such as threading a needle, knotting the thread, and making a basic running stitch. After covering basic knowledge and skills, the presentation moves on to instructions for fun, easy projects such as making a drawstring tote bag or a “Super Hero Cuff.” Sections on mending clothes and repairing stuffed animals round out the presentation. The book includes a practical introduction for adults, a glossary, a list of recommended blogs, and sources of tools, supplies, and fabrics. Best of all, this practical, attractive sewing book features finished projects that look like they were actually made by children. Grades 3-6. --Carolyn Phelan

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Spiral-bound: 144 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC; Spi edition (November 27, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1603425780
• ISBN-13: 978-1603425780
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 0.8 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,176 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts & Textile Crafts > Sewing
  • #6 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Crafts for Children
  • #27 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Crafts & Hobbies

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

137 of 139 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars [...] December 7, 2010

By BeachBrights TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Spiral-bound

Length: 3:07 Mins

I love books that teach kids and I love books that make kids WANT to learn! This is an excellent "step-by-step" sewing book for kids. My 7 yr old son loved it :)

XOXO

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars All you need in one book! December 20, 2010

By CuteEverythingcom TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Spiral-bound

I grew up sewing, starting with classes when I was eleven and continuing taking them throughout high school. It was such a enjoyable creative pursuit for me, and really built my confidence knowing that I could take a piece of fabric that I had chosen and turn it into a dress that I could wear and feel proud of. I think sewing is a wonderful skill for any child, boy or girl, to feel accomplished as well as being able to make useful and fun items for themselves and their friends and family.

Since sewing schools are not as common nowadays, Sewing School: 21 Sewing Projects Kids Will Love to Make offers the ability to learn the same skills they would teach at a sewing class all in a book. It also has the added plus that the book is always available to refer back to any time you need it. In Sewing School all the basics of sewing skills are taught with colorful photos, including pictures of real children and their completed works. The book has lots of white space and brief, clear text which makes it very easy to understand. The projects are very simple; it will surprise you how easy it is to make these twenty one projects. And as Grace, age 8, says, "You just need fabric, a needle and some thread."

The book starts with twelve lessons in Sewing School that teach important concepts like needle safety, facts about thread, buttons and fabric and several other tutorials. The rest of the book is separated by project type. The "Hug" area has instructions for making stuffed toys and other cuddly toys. The "Hold Things" section offers projects for wallets and totes, etc., which are great for boys to make also. For making gifts for friends and family, the "Give" chapter has several sweet ideas. If you know a little girl who wants to learn to make a skirt for herself and her doll, the "Wear" section has a really simple pattern that shouldn't take much time at all to make. "Recycle and Repair" and "Vet Clinic" sections give directions as to how to mend rips and holes in your clothing, plus how-tos for fixing favorite toys that have maybe been loved a bit too much. There are also full size patterns included in a pocket in the back of the book!

Whether you know a child who wants to learn to sew, or you are a parent or teacher who would like to help children learn simple sewing techniques, Sewing School is the perfect book to help reach that goal!

50 of 53 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sewing School Book Giveaway USA November 27, 2010

By Linda Lanese

Format:Spiral-bound

Sew School is one of the sweetest and complete books any other amazing gifts for you to give. Storey publishing generously sent me this book for a giveaway and anyone with a young sewer or even if you are a beginning sewer you will enjoy this book. You child will stand up proudly and say "I made it myself". In the back of the book there is sturdy folder to hold the pattern pieces and a 9" measuring ruler on the inside of back cover, too clever!
Teaching kids to sew early is a great way to build confidence, improve fine motor skills, and encourage creativity. Sewing School is a fun, kid-tested, how-to-sew book for ages 5 and up, featuring 21 step-by-step projects to inspire young sewers to create useful, modern objects with minimal adult supervision. This is the perfect resource for families looking for low-cost activities that kids can do at home. Homeschoolers, summer camps, and after-school programs will also find that Sewing School gives children an outlet for their individuality while offering easy-to-understand instructions for confident crafting.
Sewing School starts with introductions of sewing kits, fabric, safety rules, threading, stitching, and patterns. Basic techniques for stuffing, casings, trim, embroidery, and buttons are introduced using step-by-step photos and simple text. One lesson, called Bring Your Project to Life, gives kids creative ideas for making items into their own with personalized embellishments.
The projects in Sewing School fit into six categories: Hug - for easy pillows, stuffies, and more; Hold It! - for totes to hold necessities of all sorts; Give - for gifts that Sewing School fans will surely appreciate; Wear - so kids' can show off their very own attire; Recycle & Repair - with T-shirt pillows, falling hem repairs and more; and Vet Clinic - so Mr. Teddy can have his eyes back! A Sewing School Dictionary, Resource Guide, and full-size patterns are included in the back of the book so kids can get right to work!
You can purchase and preview this book on amazon.com.