Beginner Sewing Projects & Project Resources

The final day of How to Teach Sewing in Your Homeschool {Whether or Not You Sew} is all about Beginner Projects & Resources for Projects.

Some Craftsy classes which are great for beginners:

Craftsy classes are an online venue (with an Apple mobile app) where the instruction is via video and you can view it as many times as you’d like. You can ask the instructor questions and the classes never expire. I almost never have to pay full price for a class. They always have one class or another on sale. We love Craftsy!

Bag Making Basics: Drawstring Bags & Bucket Bag– this one is a FREE class designed for beginners

Bag Making Basics: A Reversible Tote & Zipper Pouch– another free class for beginners

Sewing Studio– a great class for getting familiar with your machine and learning the basics of pinning, stitching, finishing, and pressing while doing a few projects.

Project Upcycle- we have enjoyed this class which takes older items and turns them into new things.

Sewing Machine 911– another free class from Craftsy which shows you how to use your sewing machine, how to troubleshoot, and how to keep it running trim.

Pinterest is a wonderful place to find sewing projects and ideas:

I have lots of Pinterest boards devoted to sewing. Feel free to follow any of them.

Sewing Skills– this board has techniques and tutorials for general sewing skills. This is a great sewing reference board.

Sewing Fun– this is where I pin ideas for myself and for R13. Some are more difficult than others, but lots of ideas for cute projects.

Sewing Camp– these are ideas mainly to consider for our sewing camp time. Lots of variety and fun for adolescent girls.

American Girl Dolls– there are a ton of doll clothes tutorials pinned here and these are some of R13’s best projects.

Quilting- obviously this board is for sewing that is quilting, but there’s all sorts of projects from beginner on up.

Yarn Fun– this if for yarn handicrafts like crocheting and knitting, but it relates and it’s a fun one! R13 is an avid yarn crafter. Her hand sewing has blossomed since those first years too and with it a love for handicrafts.

Beginning Sewing Books We Love:

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Sewing School: 21 Sewing Projects Kids Will Love to Make– fabulous hand sewing projects for young kids on up

Sewing School 2: Lessons in Machine Sewing; 20 Projects Kids Will Love to Make– the sequel to Sewing School which has machine sewing projects for the young and up.

Simple Sewing (Klutz)– nicely kitted hand sewing set from Klutz.

Simply Sewing (Kids Can Do It)– nice projects for beginners

Hearts & Trees Art and Handicraft kits– these are seasonal kits put together by Amanda at Hearts & Trees. She always has some hand sewing included with the kit.

Websites & Blogs, Plus Tutorials:

I asked R13 to send me some of her favorite blogs and tutorials to share with you. I added a few of mine in as well. Here we go.

Make It and Love It– these are her tutorials. We got a great little project from here for sewing camp one time. Valentine Tshirts.

Carrot Goodie Bags– by Betz White. R13 adores Betz White and received a great note back from her when R asked her about how she became a designer.

Spring Mini Tote– by Betz White. This is an upcycle project, but you can use materials you have on hand as well.

Easy Doll Dress from Skip to My Lou- she has quite a few tutorials R enjoys.

Gingercake- Lola Owl pattern. That’s what I11 made his owl with up there. Love this pattern! And was able to do it very well.

Max the Owl from Gingercake– another crazy cute owl patterns. Owls are HOT right now. Seriously.

Sewing School– the blog hosted by the authors of the book Sewing School. They are Kindergarten teachers who host a sewing school in their classroom and have summer camp. Of particular interest might be their advice on kids new to machine sewing. Also, they have lots of great hand sewing projects right on their blog.

I think this is plenty to get beginners started on the road to being independent with their sewing skills. Moms don’t be afraid to try it yourselves. Thank you for joining me for this series!

Please join the iHomeschool Network on a Hopscotch June 10-14, 2013 for some great topics from other homeschool bloggers!