The Best of Sewing Machine Fun for Kids

About Lynda Milligan

In 1982 Nancy Smith and Lynda Milligan joined forces to establish Great American Quilt Factory, Inc. The store, in Denver, Colorado, specialized in quilting patterns, fabrics, classes, and supplies. Four years later, Nancy and Lynda began designing patterns for quilts, stuffed animals, and dolls. In 1985 they formed DreamSpinners, the pattern division of Great American Quilt Factory, Inc. In 1987 the business needed more space and moved to a location on East Hampden Avenue in Denver. Subsequently, DreamSpinners continued to grow and eventually became the largest independent patterns company in the United States. In 1988 Nancy and Lynda created Possibilities as a book publishing division. To date, Possibilities has published more than 80 titles. In 1992 the I'll Teach Myself series was created to introduce sewing to a younger generation. Although Lynda and Nancy have retired from the retail store, they continue to publish books and patterns, and design fabric collections for Quilting Treasures.

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Here is a book that makes learning to use a sewing machine great fun even for the youngest child.  With plenty of games and activities to help them get to grips with even the more complex tasks fast this book is a sure-fire winner no wonder this is the second edition!

I wish this book had been around when I learned to sew.  It is filled with colorful child-friendly activities making ordinary things like identifying sewing machine parts, sewing around complex shapes, safety rules and more fun.  There are lots of projects too from making greetings cards and Christmas tree decorations to wallets, appliqué motifs, bags, and a soft toy burger!  A panel of young stitchers aged 7-17 have suggested and tested out everything so you can be sure that it hasnt just been dreamed up by experienced adults.  Techniques covered include sewing on paper as well as fabric, working with patterns, using fusible web and freezer paper, pressing, filling and looking after the machine.  I particularly like the way the book has been laid out, with good-sized print, colorful diagrams and some amusing cartoons as well as puzzles, check lists and photographs of finished items.  Laid out in this way everything looks fun and do-able, not too daunting and has a purpose once made up.  Another point in the books favor is that the items to make are not girly.  This is a book a boy can enjoy using too with monsters, an owl, peace sign, Christmas shapes and more all being very unisex.  A winner all round!