Sewing for Children

CB367 Sewing For Kids 2nd ProofIW CB367_SEWING_KIDS_001-007_sewing 04/11/2009 14:11 Page 2 CB367 Sewing For Kids 2nd Proof

Emma Hardy

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CB367 Sewing For Kids 2nd ProofIW CB367_SEWING_KIDS_001-007_sewing 04/11/2009 14:11 Page 2 CB367 Sewing For Kids 2nd Proof

Emma Hardy


CB367 Sewing For Kids 2nd Proof

Published in 2010 by CICO BooksAn imprint of Ryland Peters & Small Ltd

20–21 Jockey’s FieldsLondon WC1R 4BW

519 Broadway, 5th FloorNew York, NY 10012

www.cicobooks.com

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Text © Emma Hardy 2010Design and photography © CICO Books 2010

The author’s moral rights have been asserted. All rights reserved. No part of this publication

may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,or transmitted in any form or by any means,

electronic, mechanical, photocopying, orotherwise, without the prior permission of

the publisher.

A CIP catalog record for this book is availablefrom the Library of Congress

and the British Library.

ISBN-13: 978 1 907030 23 9

Printed in China

Editor: Helen RidgeDesigner: Barbara Zuñiga

Photographer: Debbie PattersonIllustration: Stephen Dew and Kate Simunek

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ContentsIntroduction 6

Animals & Other CreaturesGlove Bunny 10Wise Old Owl 12T-shirt Creatures 16Sock Monsters 18Finger Puppets 20Spoon Puppets 22

Pretty PlaythingsMice & Toadstool 26Rag Dolls 30Doll’s Clothes 34Doll’s Bedding 38Fabric Tea Set 40Felt Cupcakes 44

Fashion FunEmbroidered Jeans 48Barrettes 50Appliqué T-shirt 52Flower Hair Ties 54Yo-yo Necklace 56

Bags, Books & Bedroom Bits ‘n’ PiecesTote Bag 62Bag Decoration 64Drawstring Bags 66Cat Bag 70Cardigan Pencil Case 72Felt Book Cover 74Pincushions 76Sewing Basket 78Needle Case 82Barrette Holder 84Appliqué Cushion 88

Dressing Up TimePirate Hat & Patch 92Horse & Sheriff’s Badge 96Cell Phone 100Animal Hat 102Tiara & Wand 104Clown Hat & Ruff 108Fairy wings 112

Techniques 115Templates 119Suppliers 127Index and acknowledgments 128



Published in 2010 by CICO BooksAn imprint of Ryland Peters & Small Ltd

20–21 Jockey’s FieldsLondon WC1R 4BW

519 Broadway, 5th FloorNew York, NY 10012

www.cicobooks.com

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Text © Emma Hardy 2010Design and photography © CICO Books 2010

The author’s moral rights have been asserted. All rights reserved. No part of this publication

may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,or transmitted in any form or by any means,

electronic, mechanical, photocopying, orotherwise, without the prior permission of

the publisher.

A CIP catalog record for this book is availablefrom the Library of Congress

and the British Library.

ISBN-13: 978 1 907030 23 9

Printed in China

Editor: Helen RidgeDesigner: Barbara Zuñiga

Photographer: Debbie PattersonIllustration: Stephen Dew and Kate Simunek

IW CB367_SEWING_KIDS_001-007_sewing 04/11/2009 14:11 Page 4 CB367 Sewing For Kids 2nd Proof

ContentsIntroduction 6

Animals & Other CreaturesGlove Bunny 10Wise Old Owl 12T-shirt Creatures 16Sock Monsters 18Finger Puppets 20Spoon Puppets 22

Pretty PlaythingsMice & Toadstool 26Rag Dolls 30Doll’s Clothes 34Doll’s Bedding 38Fabric Tea Set 40Felt Cupcakes 44

Fashion FunEmbroidered Jeans 48Barrettes 50Appliqué T-shirt 52Flower Hair Ties 54Yo-yo Necklace 56

Bags, Books & Bedroom Bits ‘n’ PiecesTote Bag 62Bag Decoration 64Drawstring Bags 66Cat Bag 70Cardigan Pencil Case 72Felt Book Cover 74Pincushions 76Sewing Basket 78Needle Case 82Barrette Holder 84Appliqué Cushion 88

Dressing Up TimePirate Hat & Patch 92Horse & Sheriff’s Badge 96Cell Phone 100Animal Hat 102Tiara & Wand 104Clown Hat & Ruff 108Fairy wings 112

Techniques 115Templates 119Suppliers 127Index and acknowledgments 128



IntroductionSewing is such a wonderful skill to learn and one that will beuseful throughout your life—whether you need to sew a button ona shirt or want to create lovely things for yourself and your home.

I was taught to sew when I was very young and spent many happyhours designing and making clothes for my dolls. Once I hadmastered the basic stitches, I loved being able to create things fromscraps of fabric and was proud to have made them myself. As I gotolder, I started to stitch my own clothes and have used my sewingskills in lots of different ways ever since. Now my daughters arelearning to sew and are enjoying it just as much as I did.

In this book you will find step-by-step instructions for 35 projects,ranging from very simple spoon puppets to more complicatedcreations like the lovely rag dolls. You need very few tools andmaterials to get started and most of the projects take only acouple of hours to complete. Many of the projects would maketreasured gifts for family and friends and I hope lots of theminspire boys to sew as well as girls.

There is a handy techniques section to help you with all the basicstitches, which you can either practie on scrap fabric or learn asyou go along. Start collecting buttons and ribbons, storing them injars and pots, and put aside old clothes in great colors andpatterns then recycle them into brilliant new creations. There areinstructions explaining how to make each project, but as youbecome more confident you may want to make changes and addyour own personal touches, creating designs that are truly uniqueto you.

There are very few hard and fast rules with sewing—you will findyour own way to do things. Try using different fabrics and threadsand stitch your own fabulous makes, letting your imagination runriot. Don’t worry about your first attempts not being perfect, withpractice your stitches will become neater and more even. Andremember, you want your sewing to have a wonderful handmadefeel so that everyone will know that you stitched it yourself!

6 Introduction


Introduction 7


n



IntroductionSewing is such a wonderful skill to learn and one that will beuseful throughout your life—whether you need to sew a button ona shirt or want to create lovely things for yourself and your home.

I was taught to sew when I was very young and spent many happyhours designing and making clothes for my dolls. Once I hadmastered the basic stitches, I loved being able to create things fromscraps of fabric and was proud to have made them myself. As I gotolder, I started to stitch my own clothes and have used my sewingskills in lots of different ways ever since. Now my daughters arelearning to sew and are enjoying it just as much as I did.

In this book you will find step-by-step instructions for 35 projects,ranging from very simple spoon puppets to more complicatedcreations like the lovely rag dolls. You need very few tools andmaterials to get started and most of the projects take only acouple of hours to complete. Many of the projects would maketreasured gifts for family and friends and I hope lots of theminspire boys to sew as well as girls.

There is a handy techniques section to help you with all the basicstitches, which you can either practie on scrap fabric or learn asyou go along. Start collecting buttons and ribbons, storing them injars and pots, and put aside old clothes in great colors andpatterns then recycle them into brilliant new creations. There areinstructions explaining how to make each project, but as youbecome more confident you may want to make changes and addyour own personal touches, creating designs that are truly uniqueto you.

There are very few hard and fast rules with sewing—you will findyour own way to do things. Try using different fabrics and threadsand stitch your own fabulous makes, letting your imagination runriot. Don’t worry about your first attempts not being perfect, withpractice your stitches will become neater and more even. Andremember, you want your sewing to have a wonderful handmadefeel so that everyone will know that you stitched it yourself!

6 Introduction


Introduction 7


n


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Animals & OtherCreatures

Chapter 1

Glove Bunny 10

Wise Old Owl 12

T-shirt Creatures 16

Sock Monsters 18

Finger Puppets 20

Spoon Pupp ets 22

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Animals & OtherCreatures

Chapter 1

Glove Bunny 10

Wise Old Owl 12

T-shirt Creatures 16

Sock Monsters 18

Finger Puppets 20

Spoon Pupp ets 22

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Finger PuppetsCreate your own farmyard with these felt finger puppets.Use the templates at the back of the book and sew pigs,horses, chickens, sheep, cows, and ducks, or use yourimagination and add your own features to the basicpuppet shape to make a host of different characters. Goreally wild with a set of jungle animals or design yourown aliens and monsters. The possibilities are endless!

Materials

Paper and pencil, to make thepattern pieces

ScissorsFelt in different colorsPinsPinking shears Needle and thread

1. Using the template on page122 and following theinstructions on page 116, cutout a paper pattern for the mainbody of the puppets you wish tomake. Fold a piece of felt intotwo, giving you two body shapes,and pin the pattern onto it. Cutout the shapes with scissors,but use pinking shears for thebase of the sheep to give it a

jagged edge. Remove thepins and patterns.

2. Cut out any additional papershapes, such as a beak or mane,from the templates on page 122.If you are making a sheep, usepinking shears to cut out theface. You can either pin themonto felt or draw around themif that is easier. Cut a length ofthread and tie a knot at one end.Thread the needle and usesmall stitches to sew the beakonto the chicken, the bill andfeet onto the duck, patches onthe cow, and the mane onto thehorse. Finish with a knot at theback of the felt. Sew noses ontothe cow, pig, and horse, and theface onto the sheep.

3. To sew eyes onto youranimals, stitch French knots(see page 118). Start at the backof the felt with a knot andfinish with a knot. For thesheep, sew the eyes onto theface piece. Use French knots aswell to sew nostrils onto thenoses of the horse, pig, and cow, and onto the face piece of the sheep.

4. For the horse, cow, or sheep,position the ears on theunderside of the front of thepuppet (the bit with the face on).Do the same for the chicken’scomb (the red bit!). Pin the frontof the puppet to the back pieceof felt, making sure the ears (orcomb) are in place. Working fromthe back, sew running stitch (seepage 116) around the puppet butnot across the bottom. Finishwith a knot at the back andtrim the thread. Remove thepins. For the pig, sew on its earswith small stiches, starting andfinishing with a knot at the back.

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Finger PuppetsCreate your own farmyard with these felt finger puppets.Use the templates at the back of the book and sew pigs,horses, chickens, sheep, cows, and ducks, or use yourimagination and add your own features to the basicpuppet shape to make a host of different characters. Goreally wild with a set of jungle animals or design yourown aliens and monsters. The possibilities are endless!

Materials


ScissorsFelt in different colorsPinsPinking shears Needle and thread

1. Using the template on page122 and following theinstructions on page 116, cutout a paper pattern for the mainbody of the puppets you wish tomake. Fold a piece of felt intotwo, giving you two body shapes,and pin the pattern onto it. Cutout the shapes with scissors,but use pinking shears for thebase of the sheep to give it a

jagged edge. Remove thepins and patterns.

2. Cut out any additional papershapes, such as a beak or mane,from the templates on page 122.If you are making a sheep, usepinking shears to cut out theface. You can either pin themonto felt or draw around themif that is easier. Cut a length ofthread and tie a knot at one end.Thread the needle and usesmall stitches to sew the beakonto the chicken, the bill andfeet onto the duck, patches onthe cow, and the mane onto thehorse. Finish with a knot at theback of the felt. Sew noses ontothe cow, pig, and horse, and theface onto the sheep.

3. To sew eyes onto youranimals, stitch French knots(see page 118). Start at the backof the felt with a knot andfinish with a knot. For thesheep, sew the eyes onto theface piece. Use French knots aswell to sew nostrils onto thenoses of the horse, pig, and cow, and onto the face piece of the sheep.

4. For the horse, cow, or sheep,position the ears on theunderside of the front of thepuppet (the bit with the face on).Do the same for the chicken’scomb (the red bit!). Pin the frontof the puppet to the back pieceof felt, making sure the ears (orcomb) are in place. Working fromthe back, sew running stitch (seepage 116) around the puppet butnot across the bottom. Finishwith a knot at the back andtrim the thread. Remove thepins. For the pig, sew on its earswith small stiches, starting andfinishing with a knot at the back.

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70 Bags, Books & Bedroom Bits ‘n’ Pieces

Cat BagThis handy little bag is a nice and simple project tomake that will be much admired by everyone who seesit. Made from fleece fabric, it uses very simple stitchesand is a good starter project. Why not design your ownbag. You could choose a dog, mouse, or rabbit, addingwhiskers and floppy ears to make a funny face.

1. Using the templates on page120 and following theinstructions on page 116, cut outpaper patterns for the bag, nose,and ears. Fold the fleece fabricin half and pin the bag patternto it. Cut out. Remove the pinsand pattern. You will have twobag shapes. Pin these together,right sides facing. Cut a lengthof embroidery floss (thread) andtie a knot at one end. Threadthe needle. Sew backstitch (seepage 116) all the way aroundthe curved edge, leaving the topopen. Finish with a knot, andtrim the floss. Remove the pins.

2. Turn the bag the right wayout. Fold over the top edge ofthe bag to the inside by about 1⁄2 in. (1 cm) and pin in place.Starting with a knot in coloredembroidery floss and workingfrom the inside of the bag, sewrunning stitch (see page 116) allthe way around the top of thebag. Remove the pins as yousew. Finish with a knot insidethe bag. Trim the floss.

3. Take another piece ofembroidery floss and tie a knotat one end. Starting from theinside of the bag, sew runningstitch around the curve of thebag. Finish with a knot insidethe bag. Trim the floss.

4. Pin the paper pattern for thenose onto felt. Cut out. Removethe pins and pattern. Cut alength of floss in the secondcolor, and tie a knot at one end.Thread the needle. Starting andfinishing with a knot inside thebag, sew the felt nose onto thecenter of the bag using runningstitch, ensuring you only sewthrough the front layer of thebag. Trim the floss. Embroider amouth shape in backstitch inthe same color, starting andfinishing with a knot inside thebag. Finish with a knot on theinside. Trim floss.

Materials


ScissorsFleece fabricPinsEmbroidery floss (thread) in

2 colors and needleFelt for the noseScrap of fabric for the ears2 buttonsRibbon for the handleRibbon for the bow

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5. Pin the pattern for the earonto a fabric scrap. Cut out two.Remove pins and pattern. Pin theears to the bag. Starting andfinishing with a knot inside thebag, attach the ears with runningstitch. Remove pins. Sew buttonson for the eyes (see page 118). Forthe handle, cut a 39 in. (100 cm)length of ribbon. Sew each endonto either side of the bag witha few stitches. Make a ribbonbow and sew it onto the bag,making a few stitches in the bagand then sew through the backof the ribbon a few times. Finishwith a few small stitches.


70 Bags, Books & Bedroom Bits ‘n’ Pieces

Cat BagThis handy little bag is a nice and simple project tomake that will be much admired by everyone who seesit. Made from fleece fabric, it uses very simple stitchesand is a good starter project. Why not design your ownbag. You could choose a dog, mouse, or rabbit, addingwhiskers and floppy ears to make a funny face.

1. Using the templates on page120 and following theinstructions on page 116, cut outpaper patterns for the bag, nose,and ears. Fold the fleece fabricin half and pin the bag patternto it. Cut out. Remove the pinsand pattern. You will have twobag shapes. Pin these together,right sides facing. Cut a lengthof embroidery floss (thread) andtie a knot at one end. Threadthe needle. Sew backstitch (seepage 116) all the way aroundthe curved edge, leaving the topopen. Finish with a knot, andtrim the floss. Remove the pins.

2. Turn the bag the right wayout. Fold over the top edge ofthe bag to the inside by about 1⁄2 in. (1 cm) and pin in place.Starting with a knot in coloredembroidery floss and workingfrom the inside of the bag, sewrunning stitch (see page 116) allthe way around the top of thebag. Remove the pins as yousew. Finish with a knot insidethe bag. Trim the floss.

3. Take another piece ofembroidery floss and tie a knotat one end. Starting from theinside of the bag, sew runningstitch around the curve of thebag. Finish with a knot insidethe bag. Trim the floss.

4. Pin the paper pattern for thenose onto felt. Cut out. Removethe pins and pattern. Cut alength of floss in the secondcolor, and tie a knot at one end.Thread the needle. Starting andfinishing with a knot inside thebag, sew the felt nose onto thecenter of the bag using runningstitch, ensuring you only sewthrough the front layer of thebag. Trim the floss. Embroider amouth shape in backstitch inthe same color, starting andfinishing with a knot inside thebag. Finish with a knot on theinside. Trim floss.

Materials


ScissorsFleece fabricPinsEmbroidery floss (thread) in

2 colors and needleFelt for the noseScrap of fabric for the ears2 buttonsRibbon for the handleRibbon for the bow


5. Pin the pattern for the earonto a fabric scrap. Cut out two.Remove pins and pattern. Pin theears to the bag. Starting andfinishing with a knot inside thebag, attach the ears with runningstitch. Remove pins. Sew buttonson for the eyes (see page 118). Forthe handle, cut a 39 in. (100 cm)length of ribbon. Sew each endonto either side of the bag witha few stitches. Make a ribbonbow and sew it onto the bag,making a few stitches in the bagand then sew through the backof the ribbon a few times. Finishwith a few small stitches.


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Sewing for Children