“Just What the Children Ordered.”
A review of
Sewing School:
21 Sewing Projects Kids Will Love to Make.
By Amie Plumley and Andria Lisle.
Reviewed by Jeni Newswanger Smith
and Miriam Smith.
Sewing School:
21 Sewing Projects Kids Will Love to Make.
By Amie Plumley and Andria Lisle.
Hardback: Storey Publishing, 2011.
Buy now: [ Amazon ]
A few years ago I taught a beginning sewing class, 4-H style, for some 3rd graders. I shelled out the money for the approved text and set about teaching the kids all about their machines, how to make a straight line, how to backstitch, etc. The kids were somewhat interested, but what they really wanted was to get their hands on a machine. How I wish I had Sewing School by Amie Petronis Plumley and Andria Lisle back then! This book is delightfully hands-on. It’s written in a such a way that a child who can read can also do most things on his own with only occasional adult help.
When we received the book, Miriam (7) sat down to look through it. These are her words: “At first I thought I’d never make anything, because my mom sometimes forgets things. But it was easy because I didn’t need my mom’s help much. I want to make the doll skirt and one for me to match!”
There are so many things that impress me about this book. The pictures/layout/illustrations look as superb as any modern crafting book out there—in other words, it will appeal to craft-loving adults and children alike. It’s not cutesy or childish, but very appealing and child-appropriate. Another thing I love is the authors and photographer (Justin Fox Burks) use items that children have actually made. Any parent who crafts with children knows that the “finished object” pictures in books and on websites often differ incredibly from what a child is typically capable of producing. This leads to great frustrations for new crafters. The projects pictured in Sewing School were created by children—and they are lovely and child-like. Miriam wanted to do just about every project in the book!
The book begins with a nice section explaining different stitches and techniques. The explanations are clear and the pictures provide good and helpful illustrations for visual learners. But the most impressive thing is that although the authors provide such great projects and illustrations, the child is encouraged to make each craft her own: “All of the projects in the book are very basic. It is up to you to make them special…During the sewing process, it’s also important to ‘make it yours’ by sewing on notions and trims. You might get some ideas from the pictures in this book, or you might dream up something completely new.”
We’ve made a couple of crafts from the book. Miriam and her brother Alex made a Stuffie one night using their own drawings to make a stuffed creation. The next day their friends came over to make some, as well. Four children (aged 6-9) made simple, cute, stuffed toys with minimal adult help. Ah! Just what the children ordered—a hands-on learning experience!
My children are young, so we focused mostly on the beginner’s crafts, but there are sewing projects for all ages and sewing levels. Wallets, pins, bags, skirts, doll clothes, super-hero masks and glasses cases are just a few of the other appealing crafts.
The authors share their experience in an essay for adults, including directions for working with a larger group. Perhaps I should attempt that sewing class again, this time with a Sewing School approach. All we need is needle, thread, fabric, scissors and imagination!
C. Christopher Smith is the founding editor of The Englewood Review of Books. He is also author of a number of books, including most recently How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church (Brazos Press, 2019). Connect with him online at: C-Christopher-Smith.com
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Hey Jeni, I just checked this our from the library! It had too many hold on it for awhile, so I am excited to hear there are a few things we can do with our kiddos! Nice review!
Thank you so much for the wonderful review – I can tell you really got the book. I love the robots! Keep sewing Miriam!
Hi, Jeni and Miriam – thanks for writing about our book! Have fun “making it yours” with the Sewing School projects. And please tell Alex that we love his robot. Stay in school!