I love sewing but didn’t really know where to start with my children when they said they would like to learn. We were #gifted a copy of My Big Book of Sewing published by CICO Kidz to try at home and both my children, aged 7 and 9, enjoyed looking through it. They quickly bookmarked the crafts they wanted to try – a pretty long list I thought!
My Big Book of Sewing
The projects are split into 4 chapters: Fashion Fun (cozy scarf, hat rosettes, summer skirt, phone case), For Your Home (lavender bags, felt egg cosies, stripy quilt, patchwork pincushion), Terrific Toys (sock monsters, felt mouse, rag dolls, clothes pin dolls) and Gift Ideas (glasses case, cat bag, wall tidy, pencil roll).
There are over 60 sewing projects, each one has a list of equipment, step by step instructions with illustrations and a photo of the finished project. They’ve each been rated out of 3 which is a quick and easy way to assess if the project is suitable.
How to make a Monogrammed Pillowcase
So far we’ve had fun making the Monogrammed Pillowcase which was a great first project for my 7 year old. We looked up all the different styles of the letter N we could find online and she picked one she liked. She drew it on a piece of paper before going over it in black pen. Then we slipped it inside the pillowcase so she could lightly trace over her letter and transfer it to the fabric.
We placed the pillowcase inside an embroidery hoop and she chose some different coloured embroidery threads for her letter. I threaded the needle for her and showed her how to do a simple stitch. She really enjoyed the process and had soon stitched her letter and crown. We were going to add a few little flowers but she couldn’t wait to use it on her bed that night!
Everything is well laid out in The Big Book of Sewing and the projects are easy to understand. We think it’s a lovely sewing book for kids. The stitch guide and templates mean the book would make a great gift for any child along with a little sewing kit.
My Big Book of Sewing: Over 60 fantastic projects to stitch and sew is published by Cico Kidz priced £9.99.
I used to sew with my mum as a child, we made owls, embroidered clothes and gave me some good knowledge to fix my own clothes. Something I am keen for my boys to pick up too. Perhaps this is the ideal way to start.
Aw she did a great job! I have no idea why it has never occurred to me that you could draw pencil to design a pattern before ha!
This is a great idea! Though I’ll admit, I can’t even sew a button so your children have certainly put me to shame!
Looks like it has some great ideas for sewing projects. I’d have loved something like that as a child.