See the podcast show notes on my website here if you are viewing these show notes in a podcast app.

Visit the Easy Sewing for Beginners pattern shop here!

In this Easy Sewing for Beginners Podcast I chat to Emily Thompson from Nap-Time Creations all about sewing with knit fabrics!

You can also listen to this podcast through iTunes!

**This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may get a commission if you choose to click through and make a purchase. It doesn’t cost you any extra if you make a purchase and I sincerely thank you!

What We Talked About in the Show:

• How knit fabric is different to other fabrics
• The best needle to use when sewing with knit fabrics and the difference it can make to your sewing
• Which presser foot to use when sewing with knit fabrics
• The different stitches to use when sewing with knit fabrics and why you shouldn’t use a regular old straight stitch!
• A great tip for getting starting for knit fabric
• Do you need to prewash knit fabrics?
• Sewing hems on knit fabrics with a regular sewing machine – twin needles  (and yes you can get a twin stretch needle) and woolly nylon
• Emily’s Facebook sewing group Nap-Time creations Sewing Group
• See the Facebook video where Emily sews a pair of pyjamas from start to finish….and her daughter in the background is just the cutest!
• Emily’s Pattern shop where you can find her patterns and here you can find her FREE ones
• Emily’s sewing story
• Rose’s adoption story

Resource Recommendations

Emily’s Recommendations

• Woolly nylon
• Serger/overlockers for sewing knit clothing

Domenica’s Recommendations

• Clear elastic

Sewing Pinspiration

Emily’s Pinspiration

• Sew Can Do’s Ways to sew knits without a serger
• Craftsy’s Sewing durable seams on knit fabrics

Domenica’s Pinspiration

• Pop up fabric container 
• Casserole carrier

The best place to find Emily is Nap-Time Creations or her Facebook group.

Happy listening everyone!

Domenica

The post ESFB 009: Chatting with Emily Thompson – Tips for Sewing with Knits for Beginning Sewers appeared first on Easy Sewing For Beginners.

I love sewing books! They offer so much in the way of inspiration for the next sewing project and are even lovely just to browse through. I recently ran a kids sewing workshop and found a whole stack of books with sewing projects for kids. I was especially interested in the books that also teach kids how to sew in the form of built in lessons. There are so many out there! I narrowed the collection down to 6 (hard task!) based on the layout, lessons, use of photo illustrations and the kids sewing projects provided in the books.

I’ve chosen books that any child could pick up and follow by themselves (depending on reading and comprehension skills, of course), but these books would be perfect for any parent wanting to teach their child to sew and are wanting a little bit of guidance. So let’s check them out!

This post contains affiliate links (meaning I receive a small commission if you make a purchase through my link and it doesn’t cost you any extra) and I truly thank you if you choose to make a purchase through any of them ?

My Top 6 Books With Sewing Projects for Kids Along with Great Lessons to Learn How to Sew

1. Sewing School by Amie Petronis Plumley and Andria Lisle

My personal favourite! Sewing School is the first book from Amie and Andria (you can check out their blog here) and it has a focus on teaching children to hand sew. The book offers twelve lessons to work through that teaches skills from threading a needle to stuffing a softie and there’s even a little pop quiz at the end of the sewing lessons. The step by step photo illustrations are really well set out and easy to follow. The book is bright and enticing for young readers and offers 21 sewing projects to try out some of the new skills learnt in the lessons. There’s a good range of sewing projects that include things to hug, hold, give, wear and recycle or repair. I love the Take-It-With-You Project. It’s a cute little cozy blanket with a little softie pocket pal. Awww! The pattern templates are stored in a pouch at the back of the book and do not require any enlarging. A big tick from me!

So this would be the first book to check out if your child is showing an interest in learning to sew. You can take a look inside the book on Amazon here.

2. Sewing School 2: Lessons in Machine Sewing by Amie Petronis Plumley and Andria Lisle

Sewing School 2 focuses on teaching children to sew with a sewing machine. The layout and structure is very similar to the first book with thirteen lessons for children to learn the essential skills needed for using a sewing machine. I even reviewed the sewing machine that they used in this book! It really is a cool little machine. If you’re looking for videos to learn how to use a sewing machine I’ve put together a mini video course here. There are 20 projects to try in this book ranging in projects to keep in the bedroom, bags and pouches, games and things to take and use outside. The wall pocket project would have to be my favourite from the book. It might help the kids keep their rooms a bit tidier! Boys or girls would both love the project ideas in this book. Again, the pattern templates are provided in a little pouch at the end of the book.

This book is a great book to progress to if your child loves the first book or wants to move straight onto learning how to use a sewing machine. Take a look inside the book on Amazon here.

3. Creature Camp by Wendi Gratz with Jo Gratz

Wendi Gratz was one of the first online sewing teachers I had when I was first learning how to sew. I fell in love with her style of teaching through video and the softies that she created. You can check out her great website here with loads of free lessons and tutorials. Anyway, So when Creature Camp was published I jumped at the opportunity to add it to my sewing book collection. This book focuses on teaching children how to sew softies with a combination of hand sewing, embroidery and machine sewing skills. There is an initial ‘Basic Skills’ chapter and then other advanced skills are taught throughout the book along with the softie sewing projects. There are a total of 18 softie projects to try and the pattern templates are provided and don’t need enlarging. This book is actually a really good reference book for adults wanting to learn how to make softies as well. Wendi provides great instructions for creating 2D softies as well as 3D softies with a ball or cube shape construction as a couple of the examples. There’s even more advanced skills like sewing gussets, adding zippers and making reversible creatures. I absolutely love the reversible butterfly project in this book!

So this kids sewing book is not only a great book for kids who want to learn how to sew softies, but a great book for adults too! I picked up a few extra tips from this book, that’s for sure. Take a look inside the book on Amazon.

4. Let’s Sew by DK Books

Let’s Sew is one of those books that I happened to come across in the Library one day and was pleasantly surprised by it. It contains a ‘Getting Started’ section, which focuses on the basic skills needed for hand sewing followed by 12 easy sewing projects for kids. The projects can be really simple like creating sewing cards, but also includes a more challenging sock horse sewing project. This book would be perfect for parents looking for simple sewing projects to do with a preschooler and older children would be able to follow the projects independently as the book has an easy to follow layout. All the pattern templates are full size and provided at the end of the book.

This book probably is limited to children up to 10 years of age, but is a great starting point with bright photo instructions and simple sewing project ideas. Take a look inside the book on Amazon.

5. Crafty Dolls by Jane Bull

Crafty Dolls is the perfect book for any child wanting to know how to make a doll (called Lottie Rag Dolls in the book) and an assortment of clothes to go with her. There is a stitch guide at the end of the book and other skills needed for hand sewing a doll are provided throughout the book along with the full size templates. This is a bit of a different layout to the other books that have the stitch guide and other basic skills in the front of the book, but it still has great photo illustrations to demonstrate how to do each stitch or skill. I love the extra projects for how to make mini dolls, doodle dolls (which is drawing onto fabric and then sewing the drawing into a cushion shape) and finger puppets too! The book also has a section on knitting dolls as well, so a little added bonus!

This book would be perfect for any child wanting to learn to sew and make their own collection of dolls while they’re at it! Take a look inside the book on Amazon.

6. Stitch by Stitch: A Beginners Guide to Needlecraft by Jane Bull

I have quite a few Jane Bull books in my collection! Stitch by Stitch includes a range of hand crafting skills including embroidery, needlepoint, patchwork, applique, knitting and crochet so it’s not just about learning how to sew. There are about 30 or more projects to try in this book so to me it’s a valuable book with so many skills to learn from it. Each section starts with great photo illustrations to teach the skills needed for the different needlecrafts. The sewing projects in the book are based more on decorating and embellishing existing bags or clothing, but includes a few sewing projects like a small tote bag and needle case. I do love the stitching doodles in embroidery hoops idea though! The projects would be great for children 7 and up and the instructions are set out in a clear, easy to follow format. All the templates are provided in the back of the book.

A great book to learn from if your child is wanting to get a taste of different types of needlecraft and be inspired to create their own designs from the projects and ideas in the book. Take a look inside the book on Amazon.

The internet and Pinterest are great, but sometimes I just want to sit down and check out sewing books to learn and be inspired by. It helps me to focus and not get stuck in a time sucking search for ideas and inspiration online (happens all the time!!!). I hope these book suggestions have helped you narrow down a book or two you might like to get for your child who is interested in learning how to sew.

A little tip: I tend to use my public library collection to check out books I’m interested in buying these days. If I like the look of it after I’ve borrowed it and had a browse through, then I buy it. It’s saved me a ton of money and I’m not stuck with a whole heap of books that I didn’t end up liking. The books above are definitely winners!

Have you come across a great book with sewing projects for kids that is also great for learning how to sew, too? If so, I’d love to hear about it! let me know in the comments section down below.

Until next time, happy sewing!

Domenica

The post Top 6 Books With Sewing Projects for Kids appeared first on Easy Sewing For Beginners.

See the podcast show notes on my website here if you are viewing these show notes in a podcast app.

In this Easy Sewing for Beginners Podcast I chat to Trixi Symonds from Coloured Buttons all about her sewing adventures and her newest creation, Sew A Softie Day!

Hear more about Sew A Softie and how you can participate. If there was anything that we talked about during the show that you would like to find out more about, then keep on scrolling to find the podcast notes!

You can also listen to this podcast through iTunes!

**This post contain affiliate links, which means I may get a commission if you choose to click through and make a purchase. It doesn’t cost you any extra if you make a purchase and I sincerely thank you!

What We Talked About in the Show:

Sew A Softie Day – Find out more and get involved through the Facebook group

Find all the bloggers who are getting involved with Sew A Softie Day and links to their tutorials (if they have been published)

Participate in Sew A Softie Day by posting your photos of your handmade softies or of you participating in Sew A Softie Day to Instagram with the Hashtag #sasday2016 Don’t forget to share your creations in the Facebook group as well!

You’ll be in the draw to win the fabulous prizes Trixi talks about!

You can find Trixi’s Zenki softie tutorial over at Coloured Buttons from the 1st July.

Trixi’s Tool Recommendation

Wax/Chinagraph pencil.  This pencil is great for drawing on the felt and will easily rub off when you’re finished. I’m getting one to try it out!

My Resource Recommendation

The Sewing School Book by Amie Petronis Plumley and Andria Lisle – A great book for any child looking to get into hand sewing. You can check it out on Amazon or if you live in Australia I recommend checking out Book Depository.

Thanks for listening and happy sewing,

Domenica ?

The post ESFB 007: Chatting with Trixi Symonds – Sew A Softie Day and Hand Sewing appeared first on Easy Sewing For Beginners.

On this episode I’ve invited my good friend, Janine, on the podcast to talk all things fabric. Janine has a passion for sewing and has been sewing since she was 7 years old. She has taught sewing through Home Economics at a secondary level for six years now and previously studied sewing at an industry level through TAFE (that’s Technical and Further Education). Janine is my sewing guru and has saved me many a times when my sewing ventures have not gone to plan.

This podcast was supposed to be published before Christmas, but I ran out of time! So that’s why we’re wishing you a Merry Christmas even though it has been and gone

in this podcast episode we chat about (with lots of ums and ahhs, sorry):

• the different types of natural and synthetic fabrics you may come across
• Sewing Jargon you night come across when reading patterns such as selvage, bias, etc.
• Prewashing fabric
• Scissors for cutting fabric
• Needles for different types of fabrics – and I was completely wrong about what the numbers mean for the needle sizes :/ One number is the American sizing and the other number is European sizing. If you scroll down to the bottom of this article it explains the number system really well.

My Recommended Resource

The Sewing Book – A great resource for any sewer to have handy. I made a quick video review of this book a while ago. You can find it here.

Janine’s Recommended Sewing Tool

Snips – these little things are awesome

Can’t wait to learn more about my new overlocker/serger as well! I hope to make some videos for you all soon!

Happy listening and a Merry belated Christmas!

The post ESFB 006: Getting to Know Fabric and More appeared first on Easy Sewing For Beginners.

In This Episode

• Where I’ve been for the last two months
• Getting back into the habit of sewing
• A great Craftsy class for beginner sewers
• a quick tip to prolong the life of your tension discs

Keep scrolling to find links to things I’ve talked about in this episode…

See a cute pic of Jordan (and Elyse) on my previous blog post

Leo Babauta’s website Zenhabits.net

The Power of Habit book – Find it on Amazon* or The Book Depository*

How to Create a Habit Flowchart PDF from The Power of Habit showing you how to create a habit

Listen to an interview with Charles Duhigg on The Good Life Project Podcast with Jonathan Fields

Check out the recommended Craftsy class for beginning sewers

This is the other Craftsy class similar to the first one

Happy Listening

The post ESFB 005: Where I’ve Been for Two Months; the Habit of Sewing; Craftsy Class and More appeared first on Easy Sewing For Beginners.

In This Episode:

I interview my local sewing machine technician to get some helpful tips and advice for how to maintain and care for your sewing machine at home.

I’m out and about interviewing Malcolm Vaughan from Vaughans Shoe Store and Sewing Centre in my local area. He has been servicing sewing machines for 25 years, so lets just say he knows a bit about sewing machines! Wait until you hear what his most interesting thing was that he found inside a sewing machine during a service. It’s gross and will leave you wondering how it even got in there!

Do You Still Have Unanswered Questions?

This podcast episode has inspired me to create a video and printable resource guide for maintaining and caring for your sewing machine at home so if you have any other questions on this topic then contact me here and let me know or leave your questions in the comments section below and I’ll do my best to answer them in the video tutorial or resource guide that will be coming in the near future.

The Podcast is Now Available in iTunes! Yay!

It can be annoying listening to the podcast from the website so now you can listen to it from your smartphone or tablet device wherever you are. You can now download the podcast from iTunes. You can find it here. If you’re not sure how to listen to podcasts on your smartphone or tablet device then leave a message in the comments below and I’ll create a video to show you how.

Happy listening!

The post ESFB 004: Tips for Maintaining Your Sewing Machine at Home – An Interview With My Sewing Machine Technician appeared first on Easy Sewing For Beginners.

In This Episode

• A new easy sewing project from me
• A softie sew along from Abby Glassenberg with a cool prize
• A recommended resource for one of my favourite magazines
• An update on my sewing machine buying guide
• A recommended sewing podcast that you should listen to

You can now subscribe to this podcast in iTunes! Click here.

Links to Things Talked About in the Podcast

A New Easy Sewing Project

My new easy sewing project along with the video tutorial and downloadable PDF can be found here.

Send me photos people!

Softie Sew a Long

Hosted by Abby Glassendberg. You can read more about Abby here.

You can find the blog where Abby talks about the sew along here.

Find the pattern for the Peanut Baby here.

Upload your photo to Abby’s Facebook Page to enter the competition.

You can see Abby’s awesome softie patterns here.

Here are my peanut babies!

My Magazine Recommendation: Sew-It  Today Magazine

Find the subscription details for this magazine here.

An Update for the Sewing Machine Buying Guide

Find the downloadable buying guide and more in depth details on this blog post.

A Recommended Sewing Podcast

You can check out the Modern Sewciety website here.

Find the podcast on iTunes here.

 And More Great News!

My podcast will be available in iTunes and other podcast directories very soon. Yay! I’ll let you know when that all happens.

If you want to know as soon as the podcast is available, or to keep up with Easy Sewing for Beginner updates in, sign up using the form below.

Until next time, happy listening to podcasts while sewing

The post ESFB 003: A New Easy Sewing Project, A Sew Along and More appeared first on Easy Sewing For Beginners.

The second podcast is here! This is the place to find all the notes and links from the episode.

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

In This Episode

What to consider when buying your first sewing machine – features to look out for
Podcast recommendation – about sewing, of course!
An easy sewing project for you
Quick sewing tip
Resource recommendation – my favourite sewing foot attachment that I wouldn’t live without
Links to Topics in the Podcast

Download the printable Guide to Buying Your First Sewing Machine with features to look for and questions to ask when buying your first sewing machine.

Find the easy sewing project mentioned in this podcast, How to Sew a Lanyard, here.

My sewing podcast recommendation – American Patchwork and Quilting Podcast

A quick sewing tip from my blog – An inexpensive solution for storing your bobbins and thread

My resource recommendation – the walking foot and see the comparison video here

If you have a feature or question that you think should be added to the sewing machine buyers guide, or if you have any other questions or comments, then you can leave it in the comments section below or contact me here.

Don’t forget to sign up for my fortnightly newsletter so you never miss out on new podcast from Easy Sewing for Beginners!

Until next time, happy listening to podcasts while sewing

The post ESFB 002: What to Consider When Buying a Sewing Machine and More appeared first on Easy Sewing For Beginners.