What do you think?
Rate this book
Sewing School ®: 21 Sewing Projects Kids Will Love to Make
Kids can sew too! This inspiring guide includes 21 fun sewing projects for children ages 5 and up. With easy-to-follow illustrated instructions and cut-out patterns, young crafters will quickly be sewing up colorful pillows, potholders, dolls, blankets, and more. These kid-tested projects require only minimal supervision and most can be made using simple hand stitches, so no sewing machine is required. With plenty of encouragement and helpful tips, Sewing School ® helps young sewers develop their skills while sparking a passion that will last a lifetime.
Also available in this series: Sewing School ® 2, Sewing School ® Fashion Design, Sewing School ® Quilts, and Sewing School ® Box Set.
Also available in this series: Sewing School ® 2, Sewing School ® Fashion Design, Sewing School ® Quilts, and Sewing School ® Box Set.
144 pages, Spiral-bound
First published November 13, 2010
77 people are currently reading
313 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
November 14, 2016
I spied this on the shelf at the library in passing and grabbed it on a whim. Then I spent the evening working through the first of these projects with my 6-year-old. The moment I read her a quote by another 6-year-old in the book who had already made 7 pillows, she was hooked. We started out following the directions for making a sewing kit. First, she cut out some felt, sewed on a button, and cut a button hole to hold her sewing needles. Then she cut a sun out of 2 pieces of felt and learned how to use a whip stitch to make a stuffed pin cushion.
This morning, the first thing she talked about was all the projects she's going to make from the book: pillows, doll clothes, and stuffed animals galore. And when she masters those, there's a blanket with a pocket friend, skirts, aprons, electronic device holders, and so many other cute things at increasing levels of difficulty graduating from hand sewing to machine sewing. There's a little pocket of patterns in the back of the book, but the book encourages creativity ... drawing your own stuffed animal friend on canvas with crayon and then ironing the colors fast, making all sorts of shapes and sizes of pillows, and making your own clothes. My little artiste has been lit afire with ideas.
This is the perfect book for beginning kid or teen seamstress, ages about 6+. I like the sewing rules at the beginning of the book that iterate working slowly and not to worry if it's not perfect. It's all about learning to use cloth and thread as a creative outlet.
This morning, the first thing she talked about was all the projects she's going to make from the book: pillows, doll clothes, and stuffed animals galore. And when she masters those, there's a blanket with a pocket friend, skirts, aprons, electronic device holders, and so many other cute things at increasing levels of difficulty graduating from hand sewing to machine sewing. There's a little pocket of patterns in the back of the book, but the book encourages creativity ... drawing your own stuffed animal friend on canvas with crayon and then ironing the colors fast, making all sorts of shapes and sizes of pillows, and making your own clothes. My little artiste has been lit afire with ideas.
This is the perfect book for beginning kid or teen seamstress, ages about 6+. I like the sewing rules at the beginning of the book that iterate working slowly and not to worry if it's not perfect. It's all about learning to use cloth and thread as a creative outlet.
January 13, 2018
This is a great book for getting started on sewing. It's one of four handicrafts books we checked out from the library, and I was impressed with it and put it on my wish list. Looking forward to working through this for school!
December 10, 2022
Our church sewing group has been asked to teach preschool children a little sewing. Hmmm. 3,4 and 5 year olds with needles....
I needed advice so I checked out this book. The book is terrific as it reminds us 70 year olds that we need to start with real basic things. How to make a knot....
I'm not convinced we can do this with these tiny people- any ideas?????
I needed advice so I checked out this book. The book is terrific as it reminds us 70 year olds that we need to start with real basic things. How to make a knot....
I'm not convinced we can do this with these tiny people- any ideas?????
July 21, 2016
children's nonfiction; crafting/sewing. Appears to be a solid and thorough introduction for kids learning to sew--from making a knot and threading the needle to basic projects (sewing on a button, making a little pillow) to more advanced projects (pouches, aprons--a few of these require a sewing machine--the book assumes that a knowledgable adult will provide the needed guidance with these parts; little or no machine instruction is given for the kids in the book itself) and even some helpful mending skills (darning socks, mending tears, hemming pants, repairing stuffed animals). Traceable patterns are tucked into a pocket at the back of the book. Both boys and girls are depicted in the photos and an attempt has been made to vary the projects enough to appeal to their different interests (superhero capes, skirts).
July 1, 2018
This is the best book for sewing with children that I have seen (and I've seen some!)
The projects are adorable and have lots of open-endedness and kid appeal. The photos really help get a feel for exactly what to do and the instructions are really slow and step-by-step. They even have photos and instructions to help kids thread the needle! No prior knowledge is assumed, so anyone could pick this up and learn basic stitches in no time. One of my favorite features is the delightful photos of completed projects - no glossy perfection that shows an adult did the project and nothing you make could ever look like that - instead the projects look like kids actually did them! Wonderful stuff and so cute you can't help but jump in and sew something.
Love it!
The projects are adorable and have lots of open-endedness and kid appeal. The photos really help get a feel for exactly what to do and the instructions are really slow and step-by-step. They even have photos and instructions to help kids thread the needle! No prior knowledge is assumed, so anyone could pick this up and learn basic stitches in no time. One of my favorite features is the delightful photos of completed projects - no glossy perfection that shows an adult did the project and nothing you make could ever look like that - instead the projects look like kids actually did them! Wonderful stuff and so cute you can't help but jump in and sew something.
Love it!
June 1, 2011
A perfect beginning sewing book for kids. I am using it to teach my own kids basic sewing skills and love the ideas they provide for expanding it to a larger group of kids. Directions are easy to follow and I especially enjoy that each lesson or project is identified by stars that indicate the appropriate level of difficulty. Yet, nothing in here is really hard - most of it just requires a bit of supervision and allows the kids to take off on their own. My girls love that aspect of it; they despise when I'm constantly looking over their shoulder.
August 12, 2020
If you have young children 6-early teens, this is an excellent step by step guide to teaching children how to sew. I used it with 6 year old grandson. It starts with hand sewing, setting up a sewing box and easy to finish projects which increase with difficulty. Also it can be used for early sewing machine learning. Excellent pictures.
December 24, 2016
Great for kids eight and under. Very minimal machine sewing.
March 14, 2017
Super helpful & informative, clear instructions for great projects, and the tips for grown-ups are super helpful.
July 18, 2020
Loved it
Great book for kids or adults, kids learning to hand sew or adults needing a refresher in hand sewing. Lots of great resources.
Great book for kids or adults, kids learning to hand sew or adults needing a refresher in hand sewing. Lots of great resources.
January 6, 2021
My kids ages 11, 9, and 6 all found projects they liked and completed in one day! Best instructions and pictures I've ever seen, with a good mix of projects interesting to both boys and girls.
June 1, 2022
Got this for my 8-year-old daughter last Christmas, and it's been a big hit! She learned how to sew in school, and she had a blast trying the fun projects in this book at home. The instructions are clear, and the photographs are colorful and engaging. I also had fun learning along with her!
May 3, 2019
J646.4 Plumley copyright 2013 Olathe shelf lessons in Machine sewing...grandkids maybe 7-12yr
July 29, 2024
One of my first ever resources for sewing. Boy did it inspire ten-year-old me!
April 27, 2012
http://erb.kingdomnow.org/featured-se...
A few years ago I taught a beginning sewing class, 4-H style, for some 3rd graders. I shelled out the money for the approved text and set about teaching the kids all about their machines, how to make a straight line, how to backstitch, etc. The kids were somewhat interested, but what they really wanted was to get their hands on a machine. How I wish I had Sewing School by Amie Petronis Plumley and Andria Lisle back then! This book is delightfully hands-on. It’s written in a such a way that a child who can read can also do most things on his own with only occasional adult help.
When we received the book, Miriam (7) sat down to look through it. These are her words: “At first I thought I’d never make anything, because my mom sometimes forgets things. But it was easy because I didn’t need my mom’s help much. I want to make the doll skirt and one for me to match!”
There are so many things that impress me about this book. The pictures/layout/illustrations look as superb as any modern crafting book out there—in other words, it will appeal to craft-loving adults and children alike. It’s not cutesy or childish, but very appealing and child-appropriate. Another thing I love is the authors and photographer (Justin Fox Burks) use items that children have actually made. Any parent who crafts with children knows that the “finished object” pictures in books and on websites often differ incredibly from what a child is typically capable of producing. This leads to great frustrations for new crafters. The projects pictured in Sewing School were created by children—and they are lovely and child-like. Miriam wanted to do just about every project in the book!
The book begins with a nice section explaining different stitches and techniques. The explanations are clear and the pictures provide good and helpful illustrations for visual learners. But the most impressive thing is that although the authors provide such great projects and illustrations, the child is encouraged to make each craft her own: “All of the projects in the book are very basic. It is up to you to make them special…During the sewing process, it’s also important to ‘make it yours’ by sewing on notions and trims. You might get some ideas from the pictures in this book, or you might dream up something completely new.”
We’ve made a couple of crafts from the book. Miriam and her brother Alex made a Stuffie one night using their own drawings to make a stuffed creation. The next day their friends came over to make some, as well. Four children (aged 6-9) made simple, cute, stuffed toys with minimal adult help. Ah! Just what the children ordered—a hands-on learning experience!
A few years ago I taught a beginning sewing class, 4-H style, for some 3rd graders. I shelled out the money for the approved text and set about teaching the kids all about their machines, how to make a straight line, how to backstitch, etc. The kids were somewhat interested, but what they really wanted was to get their hands on a machine. How I wish I had Sewing School by Amie Petronis Plumley and Andria Lisle back then! This book is delightfully hands-on. It’s written in a such a way that a child who can read can also do most things on his own with only occasional adult help.
When we received the book, Miriam (7) sat down to look through it. These are her words: “At first I thought I’d never make anything, because my mom sometimes forgets things. But it was easy because I didn’t need my mom’s help much. I want to make the doll skirt and one for me to match!”
There are so many things that impress me about this book. The pictures/layout/illustrations look as superb as any modern crafting book out there—in other words, it will appeal to craft-loving adults and children alike. It’s not cutesy or childish, but very appealing and child-appropriate. Another thing I love is the authors and photographer (Justin Fox Burks) use items that children have actually made. Any parent who crafts with children knows that the “finished object” pictures in books and on websites often differ incredibly from what a child is typically capable of producing. This leads to great frustrations for new crafters. The projects pictured in Sewing School were created by children—and they are lovely and child-like. Miriam wanted to do just about every project in the book!
The book begins with a nice section explaining different stitches and techniques. The explanations are clear and the pictures provide good and helpful illustrations for visual learners. But the most impressive thing is that although the authors provide such great projects and illustrations, the child is encouraged to make each craft her own: “All of the projects in the book are very basic. It is up to you to make them special…During the sewing process, it’s also important to ‘make it yours’ by sewing on notions and trims. You might get some ideas from the pictures in this book, or you might dream up something completely new.”
We’ve made a couple of crafts from the book. Miriam and her brother Alex made a Stuffie one night using their own drawings to make a stuffed creation. The next day their friends came over to make some, as well. Four children (aged 6-9) made simple, cute, stuffed toys with minimal adult help. Ah! Just what the children ordered—a hands-on learning experience!
May 20, 2011
I got this book from my local library this week. I sat down immediately and read through the entire thing. It was very inspiring. I really loved the tips for teaching large groups of children to sew and there are charming little quotes from young sewists peppered throughput the book.
Projects are easily identified by stars indicating difficulty level. There was also a lot of great pictures which made the projects easy to follow. Most projects are for hand sewing. I think this is a crucial skill to learn for all ages. But if you were looking for a book to introduce kids to sewing on a sewing machine, this is probably not your best bet.
My only minor issue was that many of the projects were not quite as cute as they could have been. With minor adjustments many of the projects could have been much more polished, without increasing the skill level. However, the authors do encourage putting your own creative touch on their plans so I would probably just amp up the cuteness when making some of the projects myself.
After finishing the book I emailed a group of Moms with daughters (and maybe sons) between the ages of 4-8 and invited them to a Mother/Daughter Sewing School party. I think it will be tons of fun to be creative during the Summer months and teach my girls a very important skill.
I will definately be purchasing this book. Highly recommended.
Projects are easily identified by stars indicating difficulty level. There was also a lot of great pictures which made the projects easy to follow. Most projects are for hand sewing. I think this is a crucial skill to learn for all ages. But if you were looking for a book to introduce kids to sewing on a sewing machine, this is probably not your best bet.
My only minor issue was that many of the projects were not quite as cute as they could have been. With minor adjustments many of the projects could have been much more polished, without increasing the skill level. However, the authors do encourage putting your own creative touch on their plans so I would probably just amp up the cuteness when making some of the projects myself.
After finishing the book I emailed a group of Moms with daughters (and maybe sons) between the ages of 4-8 and invited them to a Mother/Daughter Sewing School party. I think it will be tons of fun to be creative during the Summer months and teach my girls a very important skill.
I will definately be purchasing this book. Highly recommended.
July 21, 2011
I haven't actually tried any projects from this book yet, but so far this is the best child sewing book I have found at the library. This book actually shows pictures of kids sewing and finished kid sewn projects are photographed, showing the reality of what the finished product might look like, not what it looks like when an adult with 20+ years of sewing experience makes the project- how refreshing!
Many of the projects seem geared towards kids 8 and under and include a lot of plush stuffed items such as dolls and pillows. If you are looking for a beginning sewing book, this is it. If you are looking for directions on sewing clothing, look elsewhere.
Many of the projects seem geared towards kids 8 and under and include a lot of plush stuffed items such as dolls and pillows. If you are looking for a beginning sewing book, this is it. If you are looking for directions on sewing clothing, look elsewhere.
August 14, 2011
I really liked this book. But I really like teaching my children the right way to do a project, which sometimes (most of the time) makes something that is supposed to be fun turn into a tedious drudgery. This book, while not teaching what I would call proper finishing techniques, is a fantastic resource and starting point for children. My 7 year old can figure out the basic instructions, and works on her reading by working through many of the instructions. My 10 year old is inspired by the projects to just make something without me fiddling over her unfinished raw edges and lack of topstitching. Overall, a great how to for young sewers!
November 11, 2012
This book didn't seem too bad. Lots of pictures and covering a lot of tasks.
However, this still ends up with a lot of "stuff", something I am trying to prevent. Really, how many pillows and stuffed objects do you need? And then it ends with repairing clothes and stuffed animals... not really something I feel confident doing so why would I give those tasks to a 6YO? But I think she's like doing some of these projects so it might be a happy starting place for her. However, it is only at the end where the projects start needing a sewing machine... and it is the machine that she really wants to use.
So I am putting this one on the "maybe" list for the kid for Christmas.
However, this still ends up with a lot of "stuff", something I am trying to prevent. Really, how many pillows and stuffed objects do you need? And then it ends with repairing clothes and stuffed animals... not really something I feel confident doing so why would I give those tasks to a 6YO? But I think she's like doing some of these projects so it might be a happy starting place for her. However, it is only at the end where the projects start needing a sewing machine... and it is the machine that she really wants to use.
So I am putting this one on the "maybe" list for the kid for Christmas.
January 25, 2011
Fabulous, simple DIY sewing projects for kids ages 5 to 12. The book does a great job of highlighting projects of varying skill levels. All the projects photographed for the book were created by kids, so they have this charming, whimsical, "not perfect" look to them. A pocket in the back holds lots of patterns and templates.
I wish I had discovered this book before Christmas because I definitely would have gifted it to at least one crafty family.
I wish I had discovered this book before Christmas because I definitely would have gifted it to at least one crafty family.
August 1, 2011
I bought this book on the recommendation of a friend (thanks Susie). It is great! Espeically for someone like me that knows the basics of sewing but wasn't quite sure how to teach them to my kids. This book gives you step-by-step instructions and terminology, and demonstrates how to make 21 different projects that the kids are excited about. We are really enjoying it- even my boys! Who knew that Will could hand-stitch such meticulously tight stitches? Highly recommend it.
January 21, 2012
What can I say, so far this is the best book Ive found to teach little kids some basic sewing! Yowza! It totally knocked my leg warmers off when at the back of the book,it provides REAL patterns. Now I appreciate the enlarge to 200% patterns,but I really really like that they have their own.
My suggestion is that if you buy this book,take those little patterns out and laminate the hell out of them,cause that's what mama does!
My suggestion is that if you buy this book,take those little patterns out and laminate the hell out of them,cause that's what mama does!
October 25, 2013
Very well done. It's written at a second grade reading level, but children as young as five can successfully learn these basic steps and complete the projects. My 7 year old can follow a project start to finish with very little help. Wonderful illustrations and guides for all the basics of hand-sewing. The projects are ones that children will actually want to make. Pattern templates included in the book for all 21 projects.
March 7, 2013
One of the better sewing how-to books specifically for kids. The projects are progressive build on the skills learned in each previous project. It is primarily focused on hand sewing however, and while it does contain some machine projects it does not give enough instruction about machine sewing. My girls are excited about doing many of the projects in this book.
June 12, 2016
My favourite thing about this book is the photos that accompany the instructions. They actually look like they have been made by children.
So many "kids activities" are done by adults, and accompanying photos display an unrealistic result. With this book I could actually see what the child would be capable of achieving, and it helps remind me to step back and let the kids do it.
So many "kids activities" are done by adults, and accompanying photos display an unrealistic result. With this book I could actually see what the child would be capable of achieving, and it helps remind me to step back and let the kids do it.
February 3, 2011
اشتريت الكتاب من احد المواقع الالكترونية لتعليم بناتي الخياطة وجدت الكتاب مفيد وممتع جدا استمتعت انا وبناتي في تنفيذ بعض الافكار وطبقت بنتي الكبرى بعض الافكار لبيعها في معرض الاعمال والمشروعات الصغيرة السنوي الذي تقيمه مدرستها انصح بتقديمه كهديه للبنات من عمر 6 الى 15 سنه
April 28, 2011
This is very well put together. I would have loved this book as a kid and I think my creative kids will enjoy getting inspiration from it as well. I liked how the stiches weren't perfect in the photo to show it in a real light.
August 14, 2016
This book had some great project ideas for kids. Ronan liked the wallet and the make your own stuffie idea. I think the outside apron (for tools and gardening supplies) may be a project that gets made in the coming years. Found at my library.
September 14, 2012
LOOK AT THIS!!! So 5 stars! Got it from the library and it is perfect for the sewing projects my kids want to do, and the mom who doesn't know how to sew. :) LOVE LOVE LOVE. There is nothing you can't learn with a good book.
January 10, 2013
Perfect for the purpose for which it was bought - to teach some kids a few sewing skills over the six weeks of lunchtime enrichment that my kids' school sponsors every year. Cute patterns, good breakdown of lessons.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews