Sewing with Felt

by Buff McAllister

Easy stitches, colorful felt, and unique craft ideas come together in a book that kids will embrace again and again. Basic stitches are a snap to master when beginners start with easy-to-use felt. With the help of step-by-step instructions, clear diagrams, and eye-catching photographs, boys and girls can create vest and hats, place mats and coasters, play mats and puppets, and many other decorative and useful items for themselves, family, and friends. Projects are labeled according to four levels of difficulty (very easy, easy, a little harder, and challenging), allowing sewers to achieve quick success and then learn more as they go. This inviting, simple-to-use guide to the basics of sewing includes patterns and tips for easier stitching, as well as extra ideas so kids can add their personal touches.

Genres: Nonfiction, Crafts

Spiral-bound

First published September 1, 2003

Reviews

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful project book for kids. There is a large variety of projects that are actually things kids might want to make, not just the standard finger puppets, bookmarks, and stuffed toys, although there are those as well. Some of the other things to make include a vest, a Christmas tree skirt, a roadway playmat (those things are pricey to buy!), dollhouse furniture, mobiles, garlands, semaphore flags, and sewing accessories. Most of the items would appeal to both boys and girls.

I really appreciated the multicultural aspect. For example, there were three different Hanukah projects including a menorah with removable flames so it's interactive. There was also a wallhanging based on the artwork of the Cuna people, Native Americans who live off the coast of Panama, and the doll has medium dark skin and black hair.

The book has some great features like being spiral bound so it can easily lay flat, an index (which is not something I see often in a kid's book), and a grid over the pattern pieces which I think helps with scale and placement. I particularly like the levels of difficulty ranging from very easy to challenging with most projects being labeled easy. The very easy are

The instructions in the beginning aren't the best I've ever seen, but they're sufficient if the child is older or there's an adult to assist. Most of the projects are nice enough to give as gifts which I think would motivate some kids who might otherwise not be as interested in the projects for themselves.

All in all, I think this is a great project book for elementary to middle grade kids with a wide variety of projects and difficulty levels to keep them interested. Even as an adult, I would make some of the items in this book.

4.5 stars (the .5 star is because the colors are kind of washed out/drab and I'd like the instructions a little less wordy and a little more illustrated).

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book for young crafters. With help, little ones could make many of the projects and once they are 8, kids could make most of them independently. Some of the projects are a little odd or dated but the average child would probably find a handful to make.

[Meredith Henning · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one has lots of very kid-friendly projects, lots of fun!

[AJ Conroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with creative inspiration. Better than the similar books I found next to it on the library shelf.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

SES - sewed drink coaster