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Children’s References
Below is a list of sewing books that you can use to teach children, tweens and teens how to sew by hand and/or machine. The books are grouped into categories: Doll Sewing, hand and Machine Sewing, Quilting, and Smocking. I have given you a short synopsis of each book, the ISBN, and the price. Most of these books can still be purchased in bookstores or Amazon. Some are available in Kindle or e-book editions. Your local libraries might also carry many of the books on the list.
As a sewing teacher teaching kids from 5 through adult to sew, I have used many of these books in my classes. If you have a favorite book that I have not mentioned, please let me know and I will add it to my list. Let’s get the kids sewing!
Bobbi Smith Fascination in Fabrics
Below is a list of sewing books that you can use to teach children, tweens and teens how to sew by hand and/or machine. The books are grouped into categories: Doll Sewing, hand and Machine Sewing, Quilting, and Smocking. I have given you a short synopsis of each book, the ISBN, and the price. Most of these books can still be purchased in bookstores or Amazon. Some are available in Kindle or e-book editions. Your local libraries might also carry many of the books on the list.
As a sewing teacher teaching kids from 5 through adult to sew, I have used many of these books in my classes. If you have a favorite book that I have not mentioned, please let me know and I will add it to my list. Let’s get the kids sewing!
Bobbi Smith Fascination in Fabrics
Doll Sewing
Hentzel, Erin. Sew in Style: Make your Own Doll Clothes. C&T, 2014.
Make, mix, and match super-cute clothes, bags, and jewelry for all your dolls.
Hinds, Joan
Joan Hinds has published a number of books for clothes for an 18” doll. Many
you might find on Etsy, Amazon, or in your library or used bookstore. Below is a list of books by Joan Hinds.
Doll Fashion Studio: Sew 20 Seasonal Outfits for your 18-Inch Doll
Sew the Contemporary Wardrobe for 18-Inch Dolls
Sew the International Wardrobe for 18-Inch Dolls
Sew the Essential Wardrobe for 18” Dolls
Sew Todays fashions for 18-Inch Dolls
Heritage Doll Clothes: Sew 20 American Outfits for Your 18-Inch Doll
Sewing secrets for Doll Clothing
Doll Costume Dress Up
Sew Baby Doll Clothes
All Dolled Up
Doll Clothes for Everyday Play
Action Wear for Dolls
Best Doll Clothes Book
Embroidery
Baumeister, Jeannie Downs. Jeannie B’s Book of Heirloom Embroidery Designs and Stitches. Book 1
Great diagrams and descriptions of embroidery stitches and designs.
$20.00
Brown, Christen. Embroidery Stitching: Handy Pocket Guide. C&T, 2018.
Quick and easy reference to over 30 embroidery stitches
ISBN-13: 978-1-61745-779-1 $7.95
Cressy, Judith. Bandana-rama: Wrap, Glue, Sew. C&T, 2014.
Give yourself a total Bandana makeover!
Make over your clothes and make new stuff with super cute and colorful bandanas.
Kim, Maryellen. Ribbon Girls: wind, weave, twist, & tie C&T, 2014.
26 easy projects that will get you crafting in no time!
Fab up all your stuff with just ribbons, buttons, and string!
Koolish, Lynn, Kerry Graham, and Mary Wruck. The Wonderful Colorful Wonder Wheel of Color. 2014.
Great book exploring color!
Ages 8 and up. Cute hand sewn stuffies for you to try!
McLauchlan, Shirley. Girls Get Stitching! C&T, 2013.
Personalize your clothes, your room, and your stuff!
10 embroidery stitches, 20 projects
Montano, Judith Baker. Embroidery and Crazy Quilt Stitch Tool. C&T, 2008.
Compact, take anywhere guide to more than 180 stitches and stitch combinations.
Use for hand embroidery, silk ribbon embroidery, and crazy quilting.
Nicholas, Kristin. The Amazing Stitching Handbook for Kids. C&T, 2015.
15 easy projects and 17 stitches show you how to personalize all your stuff!
Great illustrations.
Oldham, Todd. Kids Made Modern: All About Embroidery. Ammo Books.
Designer Tod Oldham explores one of the oldest art techniques used to decorate fabrics.
Sutcliffe, Kristen. Fabric Paper Thread: 26 Projects to Stitch with Friends. C&T. 2013.
Restitch, Repurpose, Reuse, and Get Crafty!
Vodicka-Paredes, Lenka and Asia Currie. Forest Fairy Crafts. C&T, 2013.
28 Projects to Create and Share.
Enchanting Fairies and Felt Friends from Simple Supplies.
Learn easy crafting skills like hand sewing, finger knitting, sewing buttons, beads and sequins and using patterns.
Vodicka-Paredes, Lenka A. Currie. Forest Fairy Crafts Through the Seasons.C&T 2008.
25 Enchanting Forest Fairies, Gnomes, and more to Create and Share.
Learn easy crafting skills like hand sewing, finger knitting, sewing buttons, beads, and sequins and using patterns.
ISBN -13 978-1617456619 $21.95
Hand and Machine Sewing
Benyon, Ali. Stitched Paper Art for Kids. C&T, 2014.
Paper your way to pretty things!
Mix and Match designs and colors to make fab stuff that is just your style!
Figueroa, Shelly. Ms. Figgy’s Garment School for Girls. C&T, 2015.
Learn to sew 15 Classic Pieces.
Create a totally new look by choosing different sleeves, necklines, and lengths on clothes you make yourself!
Step by step photos guide you through making a new wardrobe.
Tweens and Teens (11and up) Patterns included Sizes 10 – 16.
Colin, Jennifer Pol. Sew Creative. C&T, 2018.
13 Projects to Make Your Own with tons of techniques! Ages 8 and up.
Patterns can be found in the book or available online as PDF’s to
download and print on your computer.
ISBN -13 978-1-61745-685-5 $19.95
Gratz, Wendy with Jo Gratz. Creature Camp. C&T, 2013.
18 Softies to Draw, Sew, and Stuff.
Features different shapes, critters, and monsters that get your creativity going while learning to hand and machine sew!
Hardy, Emma. Sewing for Children. CICO Books, NY. 2010.
35 step-by-step projects to help kids aged 3 and up learn to sew.
Haxell, Kate. me and my sewing machine: a beginner’s guide. Stash Books, 2010.
All the info you need to choose your first sewing machine.
Detailed step-by-step techniques that make sewing simple.
Gorgeous projects to get you started.
Haxell, Kate.me and my sewing adventure: an intermediate guide. Stash Books, 2014.
Advance your skills in garment, home dec, and accessory sewing with this practical guide.
Detailed step-by-step techniques that make sewing simple.
Gorgeous projects to get you started.
Kerr, Sophie with Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr. A Kid’s Guide to Sewing. C&T, 2013.
16 Fun Projects You’ll Love to Make and Use
Ages 11 and Up
Kid friendly and easy to follow with lots of photos and illustrations.
Lan, Angela. #00TD: Outfit OF THE DAY. Stash Books, 2016.
From self-motivated, 14-year-old clothing designer and popular blogger behind lovespunk.com
6 fashion patterns, ideal for beginners, with styles geared toward tween and teens. Patterns included XS-XL.
In-depth garment sewing primer with 4 skill-building chapters for a professional, store-bought finish.
Customize it! How to alter patterns, choose the perfect fabric, and sew Fashion- forward
clothes.
ISBN – 13 978—1-61745-136-2 $24.95
Long, Abigail A. Modern Prairie Sewing. Stash Books, 2014.
20 beginner friendly projects
Follow a pattern, learn to sew, and have a lot of fun making bags, skirts, scarves, quilts, and so much more.
Low, Rachel. Girl’s Guide to DIY Fashion. C&T, 2015.
From mood boards to sewing your own fashion…this is your DIY Learn how to make hip clothes from a New York City- based author! Ages 8 and up.
Milligan, Lynda and N. Smith. Sewing Fun for Kids:Patchwork, Gifts, & More. C&T, 2006.
Project packed companion to Best of Sewing Machine Fun for Kids.
“…. colorful, kid-friendly and packed with information. The projects are easy, fun, and produce things that kids actually think are cool.”
Creative Needle
Maloney, Brenna. This is Mouse: An Adventure in Sewing. C&T, 2014.
Make Mouse and Friends.
Travel with Them from Africa to Outer Space!
25 easy projects show you how to make your own stuffed animals!
Mortenson, Melissa. Project Teen. Stash Books, 2014.
21 Projects, specifically for teens and tweens (ages 11+)
including quilts, T-shirts, tech covers, totes, accessories, and so much more.
Perri, Kate. Easy Singer Style: pattern-free fashions & accessories. Creative Publishing International, 2007.
Discover the basics of sewing and move on to making 15 great fashions, accessories, and room accents for yourself or friends.
Step by step photos for each project.
ISBN – 13 978-1-58923-312-6 $21.95
Plumley, Amie P. and Andria Lisle. Sewing School: 21 Sewing Projects Kids Will Love to Make. Storey Publishing, 2010.
Ages 5 and up
Great book for beginners.
21 Kid-tested projects that are fun with clear instructions.
Most projects are stitched by hand.
Book includes practical introduction for adults, a glossary, a list of recommended blogs, and sources of tools, supplies, and fabrics.
Plumley, Amie P. and Andria Lisle. Sewing School 2: Lessons in Machine Sewing; 20 Projects Kids Will Love to Make. Storey Publishing, 2013.
Ages 7 and up
Great book for beginners.
20 Kid-tested projects that are fun with clear instructions.
Graduate from hand-sewing to the endless possibilities of sewing with a machine.
Learn the basics- threading the machine, feeding the fabric—and then work your way through 20 fun projects that will carry your stuff, keep you warm, and decorate your room.
Plumley, Amie P. and Andria Lisle. Sewing School Fashion Design: Make Your Own Wardrobe with Mix- and- Match Projects. Storey Publishing, 2018.
Specially designed for kids ages 8 – 12
Master three basic garments- a top, shorts, and a skirt- then pick and choose from fashionable variations to create clothes that show off your personal style
Smith, Nancy and Lynda Milligan. The Best of Sewing Machine Fun for Kids. C&T, 2003.
13 kid-friendly projects teach children aged 7 and up how to sew.
Projects build on skills learned as kids work their way through the book.
Games, puzzles, and stitching practice allow kids to learn at their own pace.
Easy to follow instructions and safety precautions.
“Helper Star” notes offer guidance for the adults in charge.
Trail, Sara. Sew with Sara. C&T, 2009.
Teens and Tweens: Learn to sew for fun and profit!
9 beginner-friendly projects include PJ’s, pillows, a tote bag, a cell phone or MP3 player cover, an apron, a notebook cover, and more.
Ward, Alexa. Sewing for Kids: 30 Fun Projects to Hand and Machine Sew. Rockridge Press, 2019.
The perfect introduction for both children and grown-ups into the wonderful world of sewing.
Ages 6 and up!
Visit author at www.BrooklynSewcial.com
Wrigley, Annabel. We Love to Sew. C&T, 2013.
28 super cool projects to create your own style.
Great illustrations.
Lots of info for the beginner sewer!
Wrigley, Annabel. We Love to Sew: Bedrooms. C&T, 2014.
23easy-to-sew and no- sew projects in 5 unique styles; mix and match for a complete bedroom makeover.
Great illustrations.
Lots of info for the beginner sewer!
Wrigley, Annabel. We Love to Sew: Gifts. C&T, 2015.
Make 23 awesome gifts to give to your pals and family for their birthdays and holidays!
Great illustrations.
Lots of info for the beginner sewer!
ISBN 978-1-60705-997-4 $19.95
Anderson, Alex. Kids Start Quilting. C&T, 2002.
7 Fun and Easy Projects
Quilts for Kids by Kids
Tips for Quilting with Children
NOTE: Alex has wonderful books on quilting that would be great resources for help on any aspect of quilting
Nicoll, Allison. Sew It! C&T, 2014.
Make 17 Projects with Yummy Precut Fabric.
Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes, Charm Packs, & Fat Quarters.
17 easy projects teach you quiltmaking and sewing basics.
Plumley, Amie P. and Andria Lisle. Sewing School 2: Quilts. Storey Publishing, 2018.
Ages 8 and up
Introduction to patchwork, applique, and quilts.
Graduate from hand-sewing to the endless possibilities of sewing with a machine.
Authors teach a variety of techniques using both hand and machine sewing.
15 projects range from decorative to practical.
Walters, Angela and Cloe Walters. Get Quilting with Angela and Cloe. C&T, 2015.
Learn patchwork from top to bottom with 14 fun projects.
Loads of how-to photos and page references make it easy to find help.
ISBN 978-1-60705-955-4 $24.95
Country Bumpkin. A-Z of Smocking. Country Bumpkin. 2000.
A Complete Manual for the Beginner Through to The Advanced Smocker.
Durand, Dianne. Diane Durand’s Complete Book of Smocking. Prentice-Hall, 1982.
Provides a wealth of smocking tips.
Step – by-step directions and detailed photographs of stitch patterns for all projects.
Knott, Grace L. English Smocking Revised Edition. G. Lyons Litho LTD. 1976.
Profusely illustrated and includes helpful hints and suggestions for both old and new smockers.
Pullen, Martha. The Joy of Smocking. Martha Pullen Company, Inc. 1993.
A book of instructions written so clearly and simply that smocking will indeed be a joy to learn.
Wolff, Colette. The Art of Manipulating Fabric. Chilton Books, 1996.
Beautiful book showcasing three-dimensional manipulation of fabric.
Shirring, gathering, pleating, tucking, and quilting.
350+ diagrams support the extensive how-to’s