by Amie Petronis Plumley and Andria Lisle
Contents
About This Book: An Introduction for Adults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Welcome to Sewing School 2! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Lesson One: How to Use This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Lesson Two: How to Choose a Sewing Machine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Lesson Three: In Your Sewing Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Lesson Four: Sewing Machine School Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Lesson Five: Finding Out about Fabric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Lesson Six: Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Lesson Seven: Ready, Set, Thread . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Lesson Eight: Get Your Machine Stitches On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Lesson Nine: It’s Time to Sew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Lesson Ten: Turn the Good Side Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Lesson Eleven: Stuffing and Topstitching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Lesson Twelve: Bring Your Project to Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Lesson Thirteen: Pop Quiz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Stitching Sampler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Square Pins Pincushion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Sewing Machine Cozy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
In My Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Secret Message Pillow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Welcome to My Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Sleepy Bear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Wall Pocket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Stripy Quilt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Let’s Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
Cookie Coin Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Tag Along . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Art-to-Go-Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Zippy Pouch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
eHold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Time to Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Hip Hip Hooray! Bunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Quiet Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
Etc. Backpack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Superstar Microphone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Rock On Guitar . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
The Great Outdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
Snack Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
Extra Pocket & Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Portable Tree Stump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Water Bottle Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
Patchwork Scarf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
skill builder 1: Hand Sewing Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
skill builder 2: Oops! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153
More for Grown-Ups: Sewing with a Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Find It Yourself : Resource Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158
An Introduction for Adults
Sewing School 2 inspires children and teaches them how to sew on a sewing machine. It features step-by-step directions, simple language, and child-created examples of contemporary projects, all made on a sewing machine.
Children are fascinated by the sewing machine. And once they learn how to safely operate one, they can easily create any of the projects in this book with minimal supervision or help. These projects build on prior knowledge, or “step-up projects.” Each project includes a reference for adult support, called “A Note for Grown- Ups,” which will provide detailed guidance on steps that might require adult assistance. The step-by-step directions are written at a secondgrade comprehension level, with projects designed for sewers ages seven and older.
Please don’t purchase a toy sewing machine and expect your child to be able to use it to make the projects in this book. Toy machines are usually plastic and poorly made, which will only frustrate young sewers. If you’re looking for a kid-friendly sewing machine, we like the sturdy and practical Janome Sew Mini Sewing Machine. Children can also use adult sewing machines. If you’re buying a used machine, you might want to take it to a repair shop for routine maintenance before your child begins to use it, as there is nothing more frustrating than using a sewing machine that doesn’t properly work!
If your sewer is very young or particularly inexperienced, start by moving the sewing machine pedal to a tabletop and allowing the child to press it with one hand to make the needle go. Show your child how to raise and lower the presser foot, and gently guide the fabric while you remain in control. After a few sessions, your child should be able to handle rudimentary sewing skills on his or her own.
Other than a sewing machine, this craft requires only a few inexpensive tools. You’ll mainly need fabric, thread, and a pair of scissors, plus an assortment of trims and notions, depending on the project. (For our tried-and-true recommendations, refer to the Resource Guide in the back of this book.)
Be sure to discuss safety with your sewer. Stress the fact that a sewing machine is not a toy. Emphasize the importance of asking for adult help when needed, particularly when it comes to replacing a sewing machine needle or using an iron. Help find an out-of-the way work space to set up the sewing machine. Letting a child have unsupervised access to a sewing machine might feel a little bit perilous.
Only you can decide how much freedom your young sewer deserves. Generally speaking, if a child is mature enough to treat a sewing machine with respect, there is no reason for you to hover.
As children learn to sew, they improve their fine motor skills and learn how to focus and follow directions. Once they start sewing, some children will repeatedly ask mid-project, “What’s next?” Refer your sewer back to the book, which has detailed written and photographed steps. Try to step back and let them discover new skills, figure out how to fix mistakes, and learn the “whys” of sewing as they become more selfsufficient.
Young sewers learn vital lessons that will help them in other facets of life, such as how to follow directions, not to skip important steps, and, with many of the projects in this book, how to complete a project that might take more than one day. They will gain self-esteem as they create something complex out of simple materials, and their imaginations will flourish.
When it comes to the projects in this book, encourage your kids to “Make It Yours” by devising their own design details and changing shapes and details as they wish. By learning that there are many different ways to complete a project, they will gain confidence in their abilities and take their inventiveness to new levels. We purposely kept our examples of each project simple, so that young sewers can elaborate on their own.
Regardless of your own sewing skills, we hope that you have fun crafting with your child. Don’t get hung up on straight seams or even hems, especially in the beginning. One of our rules for young sewers and their helpers is “Nothing has to be perfect.”
Imperfections give each project an individual flair and a uniqueness that cannot be found in any massproduced merchandise. Sharing the gift of sewing is one of the greatest, most creative things you can do for your child. It is a skill that will last a lifetime and might even be passed down to future generations, too.