my first sewing book

CB501 My First Sewing Book Proof 1

s

IW CB501_SEWING_001_007 8_CBXXX_BLAD_SPREADS 21/03/2011 13:58 1 CB501 My First Sewing Book Proof 1

my firstsewingbook

35 easy and fun projects for children aged 7–11 years old

Edited bySus

anAk

ass

CICO kidz

IW CB501_SEWING_001_007 8_CBXXX_BLAD_SPREADS 21/03/2011 13:59 Page 3

© CICO Books


s

IW CB501_SEWING_001_007 8_CBXXX_BLAD_SPREADS 21/03/2011 13:58 Page 2 1 CB501 My First Sewing Book Proof 1

my firstsewingbook

35 easy and fun projects for children aged 7–11 years old

Edited bySus

anAk

ass

CICO kidz

IW CB501_SEWING_001_007 8_CBXXX_BLAD_SPREADS 21/03/2011 13:59

© CICO Books


Published in 2011 by CICO Kidz

An imprint of Ryland Peters & Small

519 Broadway, 5th Floor, New York NY 10012

20–21 Jockey’s Fields, London WC1R 4BW

www.cicobooks.com

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Text copyright © CICO Books 2011,plus the project-makers listed on page 128

Design, photography, and illustrationcopyright © CICO Books 2011

The authors’ moral rights have beenasserted. All rights reserved. No part ofthis publication may be reproduced,stored in a retrieval system, ortransmitted in any form or by anymeans, electronic, mechanical,photocopying, or otherwise, withoutthe prior permission of the publisher.

A CIP catalog record for this book isavailable from the Library of Congressand the British Library.

ISBN: 978-1-907563-71-3

Printed in China

Editor: Susan Akass

Designer: Elizabeth Healey

Illustration: Rachel Boulton and Hannah George

See page 128 for photography credits.


Introduction 6

CHAPTER 1:

TERRIFIC TOYS

Juggling animals 10

Wise old owl 14

T-shirt creatures 18

Sock monsters 22

Felt mice 24

Toadstool 27

Felt cupcakes 30

Cowboy horse 32

Rag dolls 34

Doll clothes 38

CHAPTER 2:

FASHION FUN

Button badges 44

Book bag 46

Hair barrettes 50

Flower hair tie 52

Drawstring bag 54

Cat bag 57

Felted bag 60

Cardigan pencil case 62

Embroidered jeans 64

CHAPTER 3:

DELIGHTFUL DECORATIONS

Kissing doves 68

Tree treasures 70

Barrette holder 72

Hanging felt stars 75

Ric rac fairy 78

Christmas stocking 81

Lavender bags 84

CHAPTER 4:

GIFTS AND CARDS

Felt egg cosies 88

Embroidery card 90

Finger puppet card 93

Glasses case 96

Garden tote 98

Sausage dog draft excluder 101

Needle case 104

Patchwork pincushion 107

Sewing basket 110

Sewing techniques 114

Templates 120

Index, acknowledgments,

and suppliers 128

Contents


© CICO Books


Once you have caught the sewing bug there will be no stopping you; you will just want to keep onsewing and this book is full of ideas to help you get creative. In My First Sewing Book there arefour chapters—Terrific Toys, Fashion Fun, Delightful Decorations, and Gifts and Cards. Thematerials you use to make them need not be expensive—many projects in the book are made byreusing old clothes. So make sure no clothes, even odd socks or shrunken woolens, get thrownaway in your family before you have checked them out for possible ideas!

To help you get started, we have graded all the projects with one, two, or three smiley faces.The level one projects are the easiest. The stitches used are very simple and there is not

much sewing to do. The level two projects need you to use some different stitches andthey are a little longer, but are still quite easy. The level three projects are a bit morechallenging, for when your sewing skills are really getting good.

There’s a list of all the stitches and techniques you will use at the start of eachproject and the pages where you can find instructions if you need them. There’s also a list of materials. Since many of these are used in lots of the projects, it’s good toput together a sewing box that contains the basics.

Introduction

Project

levels

TOP TIPS

In all projects, remember these top tips:

1. When cutting out patterns, especially rectangles, try to pin them

onto the fabric in line with the tiny threads you can see in the fabric

(on felt it doesn’t matter).

2. When using patterned fabrics, check which is the right side and

wrong side of the fabric—you will be able to spot the difference. Be

careful to follow instructions about right and wrong sides.

3. Always secure your thread so it doesn’t pull out. With yarn (wool)

and floss (embroidery thread) tie two knots on top of each other at

the end of the thread. When using cotton thread sew a few small

stitches on top of one another. Do the same when you finish.

Level 1

These are very easy: no complex

stitches and not much sewing.

Level 2

These use some more complex

stitches and are slightly longer

projects, but are still quite easy.

Level 3

These are longer, more challenging

projects which might require some

adult help with using an iron.


Your sewing box

We suggest you put together a sewing boxthat contains:

A pencil

A pen

A ruler

A tape measure

Squared paper (e.g. from a math book) formaking patterns

Plain paper for tracing templates

Scissors for cutting paper

Sharp scissors kept especially for cuttingfabric

Pins

Needles, including some big ones with bigeyes

A needle threader (this will save you a lot oftime!)

Cotton thread, embroidery floss (thread), andyarn (wool) in different colors

Fiberfill (stuffing)

Glue

You also need to start a collection ofdifferent materials, so look out for:

Buttons—especially pretty ones. Cut them offclothes that are too worn out to pass on orlook out for boxes of them in charity shopsand garage sales.

Ribbons and braids—look out for them ongifts or on boxes of chocolate. They willalways come in useful.

Fabrics—some you will have to buy, but often,small left-over pieces (remnants) are sold verycheaply. A collection of different colored felts isa must and you can buy these at craft shopsor online. Remember to save pieces of fabricfrom clothes that are too worn out to pass onand keep leftover scraps from other projects.Ask any adult sewers you know to keep anyleftover fabric for you. They are sure to want toencourage a new sewer!


© CICO Books


Once you have caught the sewing bug there will be no stopping you; you will just want to keep onsewing and this book is full of ideas to help you get creative. In My First Sewing Book there arefour chapters—Terrific Toys, Fashion Fun, Delightful Decorations, and Gifts and Cards. Thematerials you use to make them need not be expensive—many projects in the book are made byreusing old clothes. So make sure no clothes, even odd socks or shrunken woolens, get thrownaway in your family before you have checked them out for possible ideas!

To help you get started, we have graded all the projects with one, two, or three smiley faces.The level one projects are the easiest. The stitches used are very simple and there is not

much sewing to do. The level two projects need you to use some different stitches andthey are a little longer, but are still quite easy. The level three projects are a bit morechallenging, for when your sewing skills are really getting good.

There’s a list of all the stitches and techniques you will use at the start of eachproject and the pages where you can find instructions if you need them. There’s also a list of materials. Since many of these are used in lots of the projects, it’s good toput together a sewing box that contains the basics.

Introduction

Project

levels

TOP TIPS

In all projects, remember these top tips:

1. When cutting out patterns, especially rectangles, try to pin them

onto the fabric in line with the tiny threads you can see in the fabric

(on felt it doesn’t matter).

2. When using patterned fabrics, check which is the right side and

wrong side of the fabric—you will be able to spot the difference. Be

careful to follow instructions about right and wrong sides.

3. Always secure your thread so it doesn’t pull out. With yarn (wool)

and floss (embroidery thread) tie two knots on top of each other at

the end of the thread. When using cotton thread sew a few small

stitches on top of one another. Do the same when you finish.

Level 1

These are very easy: no complex

stitches and not much sewing.

Level 2

These use some more complex

stitches and are slightly longer

projects, but are still quite easy.

Level 3

These are longer, more challenging

projects which might require some

adult help with using an iron.


Your sewing box

We suggest you put together a sewing boxthat contains:

A pencil

A pen

A ruler

A tape measure

Squared paper (e.g. from a math book) formaking patterns

Plain paper for tracing templates

Scissors for cutting paper

Sharp scissors kept especially for cuttingfabric

Pins

Needles, including some big ones with bigeyes

A needle threader (this will save you a lot oftime!)

Cotton thread, embroidery floss (thread), andyarn (wool) in different colors


Glue

You also need to start a collection ofdifferent materials, so look out for:

Buttons—especially pretty ones. Cut them offclothes that are too worn out to pass on orlook out for boxes of them in charity shopsand garage sales.

Ribbons and braids—look out for them ongifts or on boxes of chocolate. They willalways come in useful.

Fabrics—some you will have to buy, but often,small left-over pieces (remnants) are sold verycheaply. A collection of different colored felts isa must and you can buy these at craft shopsor online. Remember to save pieces of fabricfrom clothes that are too worn out to pass onand keep leftover scraps from other projects.Ask any adult sewers you know to keep anyleftover fabric for you. They are sure to want toencourage a new sewer!


© CICO Books

CB501 My First Sewing Book Proof 1IW CB501_SEWING_008_009 8_CBXXX_BLAD_SPREADS 21/03/2011 12:24 1 CB501 My First Sewing Book Proof 1

CHAPTER ONE

Terrific toys

Juggling animals 10 Wise old owl 14

T-shirt creatures 18 Sock monsters 22

Felt mice 24 Toadstool 27

Felt cupcakes 30

Cowboy horse 32

Rag dolls 34 Doll clothes 38


© CICO Books

CB501 My First Sewing Book Proof 1IW CB501_SEWING_008_009 8_CBXXX_BLAD_SPREADS 21/03/2011 12:24 Page 8 1 CB501 My First Sewing Book Proof 1

CHAPTER ONE

Terrific toys

Juggling animals 10 Wise old owl 14

T-shirt creatures 18 Sock monsters 22

Felt mice 24 Toadstool 27

Felt cupcakes 30

Cowboy horse 32

Rag dolls 34 Doll clothes 38


© CICO Books

CB501 My First Sewing Book final proof

Photocopy the templates on page 124 at double the size, thencut out paper patterns for the owl’s body, foot, wing, eye,pupil, beak, and feathers. Fold the fabric for the body in half,pin the body pattern to it, and cut around it. Remove the pinsand pattern.

Pin the two body piecestogether, right sides together.Cut a length of thread and

thread the needle. Starting with a fewsmall stitches to hold the thread inplace, sew the body together with

backstitch—but leave the bottom edge open. Finish with a few small stitches. Trim the thread and remove the pins.

Wise old owl

In this project, you will use:

Backstitch (see page 115)

Slipstitch (see page 117)

Running stitch (see page 115)

Using a pattern (see page 114)

You will need:

Scissors

24 x 11 inches (60 x 30 cm)fabric for the body

Scraps of fabric for the wings

Felt for the feet and feathers

White and black felt for theeyes

Orange felt for the beak

Pins

A needle and thread


Needle and embroidery floss(thread) in different colors,including black and orange

1

2

This wise old owl is a real hoot! He’ll sit on the end of your bed and stare atyou with big, friendly eyes. Make him bright and colorful by using one

patterned fabric for his body and another for his wings. You could even makehim from a favorite worn-out dress or blouse (but ask first).

Twit TWOO!

IW CB501_SEWING_014_17_CBXXX_BLAD_SPREADS 31/03/2011 16:23 Page 14

© CICO Books

CB501 My First Sewing Book final proofof IW CB501_SEWING_014_17_CBXXX_BLAD_SPREADS 31/03/2011 16:23 Page 15

© CICO Books

my first sewing book

Documents

cico kidz

cico books

embroidery

small stitches

complex stitches

sewing box

longer

stitches