A Kid's Guide to Sewing: Learn to Sew with Sophie & Her Friends . 16 Fun Projects You'll Love to Make & Use

by Sophie Kerr, Weeks Ringle (Editor), Bill Kerr (Editor)

Overview

In this book by well-known modern quilters Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr along with their 11-year-old daughter Sophie Kerr, kids will learn how to navigate a sewing machine, make smart fabric choices, and use basic sewing tools. Sixteen kid-friendly projects run the gamut from clothes to bags to accessories while clear, step-by-step instructions from Weeks and husband/design partner Bill Kerr walk kids through the creation of each. Throughout the book, tips from Sophie offer design and construction advice from a kid's perspective. The book "grows" with the sewist, offering more complex projects as the reader's skills develop.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781607057512
Publisher:	C & T Publishing
Publication date:	08/01/2013
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	11 - 14 Years

About the Author

Weeks Ringle and her husband Bill Kerr are professional quilt makers and founders of Modern Quilt Studio (formerly FunQuilts). Bill and Weeks bring a modern twist to the great American quilting tradition with decades of quiltmaking experience and graduate design degrees. They live in Illinois with their daughter, Sophie. 11-year-old Sophie has been playing in her parents' studio and is happy to share lessons with her friends as she learns to sew.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents:
Hello from Sophie
A Word from Weeks & Bill (Mom & Dad)
Materials & Tools
Fabrics * Notions * Supplies * Tools
Your Sewing Machine
Getting to know the parts * Learning to use & maintain your machine

The Basics of Sewing
Safety * Cutting, pinning & measuring * Hand sewing * Planning
your project * Fixing mistakes

Projects: From Beginning to Advanced
Simple Pillow
Washable Pet Bed
Cuddle Fleece Scarf
Hairband
Zippered Pouch
Sleepover Bag
Fancy Ribbon Belt 2 Ways
Embroidered Pillowcase
Reversible Messenger Bag
Backpack Decorations
Quilted Placemats, Simple or “Crazy”
Pool Cover-up
Gini's Tiered skirt
Insulated Lunchbag
Cuddle Fleece Patchwork Throw, Simple or Fancy
Zippered Tote

Resources
About the Authors

Editorial Reviews

A Kid's Guide to Sewing made me smile. The projects are kid friendly, the photography is engaging, and the information age appropriate. I only wish I had this type of reference book when I started to sew!

Nancy Zieman

Sophie's expertise and kid credentials combine to create a book that is both factually substantial, and age-appropriate. The first portion of the book introduces the reader to the sewing machine, as well as the fabrics and notions needed to execute the projects. The information and the accompanying photos are clearly laid out and easy to follow. A girl who has no experience in sewing could absolutely get started on her own, even if her mom forgot to take Home Ec and has no idea how to operate a sewing machine!The writer also hits the right note with the selection of projects included in the book. They are simple to construct, starting with the easiest undertaking - a pillow - and working up to the most challenging - a zippered tote. Along the way, the reader learns to sew functional items, garments and even a quilt. The finished products are cool enough for a kid to actually want to use, unlike many DIY craft books for kids, where the items are an adult's goofy idea of what a kid might like.The author really earns her stripes in the straightforward, clear-cut approach to the instructions. No cutesy language, no steps under-illustrated; the reader gets a full explanation that invites personal creativity as well as skill-building. This book is squarely intended for machine sewing, while many kid craft books focus on hand-stitching, under the assumption, perhaps, that machine sewing is too complicated for kids. Sophie dispels that idea, and puts machine sewing within reach for her tween peers. This book is highly recommended for the self-starting girl who wants to learn to sew.

goodreadswithronna.com

Sixteen fun projects at levels from beginner to advanced await the adventurous young person with an interest in sewing in this colorful and educational resource. Learn about fabrics, supplies, machines and the basics of sewing while creating projects that will be admired, used and worn. Sophie's enthusiasm is contagious, and her tips for completing each project are helpful and kid-friendly.

Machine Quilting Unlimited

Written by 11-year-old Sophie Kerr (with help from mom and dad, Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr), this book is the perfect way to introduce kids to sewing. With 35 pages of valuable troubleshooting and safety tips, and 16 projects, including a lunch tote and messenger bag, your kids will be clamoring to go to the nearest fabric store.

Hobby Farm Home Magazine

A great starting point for teaching a child to sew using a sewing machine. This book is more focused on machine sewing than hand-sewing. It will probably remind you of the kind of projects you made when you first learned how to sew.

DuringQuiettime.com

Way to go, Sweet Q-bie! In this debut book written when she was 11, Sophie—daughter of Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr of Modern Quilt Studio - guides her young counterparts through the process of sewing. Feeling inadequate to review this book because of our age challenges, we asked junior editor Samantha Finch for feedback on why she pronounced this book "Awesome!"According to Samantha, Sophie is thorough and has lots of pictures to show what she means. And her projects are definitely doable, Samantha says. "She makes them simple. She doesn't make them so complicated," she says.As parents, we like that many of the projects, such as the Zippered Tote and Insulated Lunch Bag, are practical for kids. AND adults. And almost none are exclusive girlie-girl projects. Sophie obviously knows that boys like to sew too, and she's got plenty of guys pictured throughout the book, making things like belts and bags that can be enjoyed by ever kid. Lastly, her careful illustrations and picture really do make simple work out of sometimes intimidating tasks, such as installing a zipper. This is a solid choice to inspire the kids in your life to sew.

Generation Q Magazine

A Kid’s Guide to Sewing—16 Fun Projects You’ll Love to Make & Use, by Sophie Kerr with Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr, is one of the books from “Fun Stitch Studio”. What quilter doesn’t have a secret wish for their daughter, son or grandchild to carry on the quilting tradition. This book is a perfect book to help young ones learn more about sewing. They will learn to sew by following Sophie and her friends as they make kid friendly projects. Photographs and instructions will help them learn their way around a sewing machine. Sewing terminology and helpful tools are also featured. The photos are plentiful and the content is age appropriate. This is the perfect book for any young person with the desire to learn to sew. Consider giving it to someone in your family, it may start a spark for the love of quilting.

The Applique Society Newsletter

Eleven-year-old Sophie Kerr and her professional quiltmaker parents bring a stress-free and fresh approach to sewing for kids, making this a great reference book for young sewists. The bright photography of Sophie and her friends (male and female) sewing and using their projects is fun and engaging. The projects gradually increase in difficulty, but all are kid-friendly and presented with Sophie's first-person advice and tips. Plus, some of the projects are cute and clever enough to inspire even the most seasoned seamstress.

Sew News

This book comes from the new imprint of C&T Publishing, FunStitch Studio, and is designed to get young people interested and involved in sewing and home crafts. It focuses on Sewing 101, with tips on choosing fabric, using a sewing machine and navigating basic tools. There are fun projects to get any sewing novice interested.

Australian Quilters Companion

A Kid's Guide to Sewing is written by Sophie Kerr along with her parents, Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr. And who could write a book about kids sewing better than a kid? There are 16 projects in skill-building order from beginning to advanced and all of the instructions are in Sophie's voice - "Hi! My name is Sophie, and I am eleven." Any young sewist will love to read and relate to her thoughts and ideas. Her tips and suggestions are spot on for her audience. Here's a class just waiting to be held. Pick four or five of the skill-building projects and gather a group of 10- to maybe 13-year-olds. I can just hear the giggles and the pride of success!

American Quilt Retailer

Inspire the small person in your life to sew with A Kid's Guide to Sewing, by Sophie Kerr, with her parents Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr. The book starts out simple by explaining the materials and basics, and contains 16 projects to get young new sewers excited about the craft.

Stitch Gifts

This beginner to advanced sewing book has some of the coolest projects we've seen and will help you get the most out of your sewing machine.

Kiki Magazine

This book comes from the new imprint of C&T Publishing, FunStitch Studio, and is designed to get young people interested and involved in sewing and home crafts. It focuses on Sewing 101, with tips on choosing fabric, using a sewing machine and navigating basic tools. There are fun projects to get any sewing novice interested.

9/25/13 Australian Quilters Companion

Written by 11-year-old Sophie Kerr (with help from mom and dad, Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr), this book is the perfect way to introduce kids to sewing. With 35 pages of valuable troubleshooting and safety tips, and 16 projects, including a lunch tote and messenger bag, your kids will be clamoring to go to the nearest fabric store.

May/June 2014 Hobby Farm Home Magazine

A great starting point for teaching a child to sew using a sewing machine. This book is more focused on machine sewing than hand-sewing. It will probably remind you of the kind of projects you made when you first learned how to sew.

9/20/13 DuringQuiettime.com

A Kid's Guide to Sewing made me smile. The projects are kid friendly, the photography is engaging, and the information age appropriate. I only wish I had this type of reference book when I started to sew!

From the Publisher

A Kid's Guide to Sewing is written by Sophie Kerr along with her parents, Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr. And who could write a book about kids sewing better than a kid? There are 16 projects in skill-building order from beginning to advanced and all of the instructions are in Sophie's voice - "Hi! My name is Sophie, and I am eleven." Any young sewist will love to read and relate to her thoughts and ideas. Her tips and suggestions are spot on for her audience. Here's a class just waiting to be held. Pick four or five of the skill-building projects and gather a group of 10- to maybe 13-year-olds. I can just hear the giggles and the pride of success!

September 2013 American Quilt Retailer

Eleven-year-old Sophie Kerr and her professional quiltmaker parents bring a stress-free and fresh approach to sewing for kids, making this a great reference book for young sewists. The bright photography of Sophie and her friends (male and female) sewing and using their projects is fun and engaging. The projects gradually increase in difficulty, but all are kid-friendly and presented with Sophie's first-person advice and tips. Plus, some of the projects are cute and clever enough to inspire even the most seasoned seamstress.

April/May 2014 Sew News

This beginner to advanced sewing book has some of the coolest projects we’ve seen and will help you get the most out of your sewing machine.

12/16/14 Kiki Magazine

A Kid’s Guide to Sewing—16 Fun Projects You’ll Love to Make & Use, by Sophie Kerr with Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr, is one of the books from “Fun Stitch Studio”. What quilter doesn’t have a secret wish for their daughter, son or grandchild to carry on the quilting tradition. This book is a perfect book to help young ones learn more about sewing. They will learn to sew by following Sophie and her friends as they make kid friendly projects. Photographs and instructions will help them learn their way around a sewing machine. Sewing terminology and helpful tools are also featured. The photos are plentiful and the content is age appropriate. This is the perfect book for any young person with the desire to learn to sew. Consider giving it to someone in your family, it may start a spark for the love of quilting.

8/25/13 The Applique Society Newsletter

Sixteen fun projects at levels from beginner to advanced await the adventurous young person with an interest in sewing in this colorful and educational resource. Learn about fabrics, supplies, machines and the basics of sewing while creating projects that will be admired, used and worn. Sophie's enthusiasm is contagious, and her tips for completing each project are helpful and kid-friendly.

November/December 2013 Machine Quilting Unlimited

Way to go, Sweet Q-bie! In this debut book written when she was 11, Sophie—daughter of Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr of Modern Quilt Studio - guides her young counterparts through the process of sewing. Feeling inadequate to review this book because of our age challenges, we asked junior editor Samantha Finch for feedback on why she pronounced this book "Awesome!" According to Samantha, Sophie is thorough and has lots of pictures to show what she means. And her projects are definitely doable, Samantha says. "She makes them simple. She doesn't make them so complicated," she says. As parents, we like that many of the projects, such as the Zippered Tote and Insulated Lunch Bag, are practical for kids. AND adults. And almost none are exclusive girlie-girl projects. Sophie obviously knows that boys like to sew too, and she's got plenty of guys pictured throughout the book, making things like belts and bags that can be enjoyed by ever kid. Lastly, her careful illustrations and picture really do make simple work out of sometimes intimidating tasks, such as installing a zipper. This is a solid choice to inspire the kids in your life to sew.

November/December 2013 Generation Q Magazine

A Kid's Guide to Sewing made me smile. The projects are kid friendly, the photography is engaging, and the information age appropriate. I only wish I had this type of reference book when I started to sew! Zieman, Nancy

2013 July 1