Sew Creative: 13 Projects to Make Your Own • Tons of Techniques

By Jennifer Pol Colin

Get kids excited about sewing with projects they will actually want to make, such as a critter coin pouch, chalkboard backpack, mermaid tail blanket, glow-in-the-dark light bulb, traveler neck pillow, dolman T-shirt with lace and embroidery, and more! Each of the 13 projects includes an element of fantasy and can easily be customized with sewing techniques, art supplies, and alternate pattern details. Plus, kids can personalize their projects with names, words, signs, mottos, or just an artistic touch!

• Language: English
• Publisher: C&T Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781617456862

Jennifer Pol Colin

Jennifer Pol Colin is a native of France. She now runs Little Print Fabrics Studio in San Diego, California, where kids and grown-ups love to sew creatively. mylittleprintfabrics.com

Book preview

Publisher: Amy Marson

Creative Director: Gailen Runge

Editors: Karla Menaugh and Liz Aneloski

Technical Editor: Linda Johnson

Cover/Book Designer: April Mostek

Production Coordinator: Tim Manibusan

Production Editor: Alice Mace Nakanishi

Illustrator: Linda Johnson

Photo Assistant: Mai Yong Vang

Photography by Jennifer Pol Colin, unless otherwise noted

Published by FunStitch Studio, an imprint of C&T Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 1456, Lafayette, CA 94549

dedication

To Marlène, Louisa, and Marilou

acknowledgments

I feel so grateful for the people who have believed in me and supported me throughout my sewing journey.

First, I would like to thank my students. Without you, I wouldn’t have learned how to sew and design so playfully. Many thanks are due to their parents who had confidence in me.

And because we all have to start somewhere, I will always feel very thankful for these people who gave me the first chance to teach what I love. Catherine and Gloria from the International School of Boston and Valérie from the San Diego French-American School, thank you.

Thank you to my friends, old and new, close and far, but most of all to my friend Barbara for supporting me when I opened my studio in San Diego; I didn’t know a lot of people and I barely spoke English. Thanks to her daughter Ava too; I could not have hoped for a better student!

Of course, I would like to thank my dear family, who supports me all the time. First, to my husband and best friend, Olivier—thank you for being so positive, optimistic, and encouraging. Thank you for being who you are.

Thank you to my three sweet daughters—sewists and little artists who are so spontaneous and involved in my work. You are my muses, my models, and this entire book is designed for and with you!

Thank you, Mom, for your unfailing support of all my entrepreneurial endeavors. Thank you for truly believing in me. I love you.

Finally, thank you to my two grandmothers, who are both so talented and have such generous hearts. I always think of you in your sewing rooms as I’m sewing.

Thank you to all the contributors without whom the projects wouldn’t look so nice: Dear Stella Fabrics, National Nonwovens, DMC Threads, and Coats & Clark. I appreciate the generous donations of great, high-quality fabrics and supplies.

Introduction

Sew Creative offers quick and simple projects, but also more sophisticated ones. You will find awesome projects for traveling, trendy clothing for everyday style, cool decor for your room, and useful accessories.

THIS BOOK IS DEFINITELY FOR YOU IF YOU ANSWER YES TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

Are you growing up and you want to affirm your own style?

Do you love to sew unique things and are you eager to discover new techniques?

Do you love arts and crafts?

Are you already a sewist with basic sewing skills?

If you have already gained confidence sewing by yourself this book is for you too!

You’ll develop your sewing skills through very useful techniques and explore all the ways to personalize your sewing projects by using art supplies for modern sewists and crafters. Each project includes step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow as you create your own design.

For most of the projects, you have the choice of several designs so you can make a version that matches your personality. Look at the gallery photos at the end of each project to explore or find inspiration to create your very own version. If you want to make your project simple and plain—no worries; customization is just an option. But I will always encourage you to make your creation special and unique, because you are special and unique.

Are you ready to come along with me on a sewing journey?

Let’s be creative and have fun!

—Jennifer

Fabrics and Supplies

get to know the fabrics

Most of the projects in this book are based on fabrics you could easily find in any fabric store. They are chosen for their neutral look, which makes them easy to customize.

Wovens

These come in millions of prints and solid colors and are made from threads going in two directions. The main direction is called the grainline or the length of grain, which is parallel to the selvage (the tightly woven edges where the manufacturer prints their brand name and the name of the designer). The other threads are woven crosswise, perpendicular to the selvage. Woven fabrics usually fray, so you may need to zigzag, baste or pink the edges.

QUILTING COTTON

Quilting-quality cotton is light- or medium-weight and is easy to use and sew. It is available in a huge variety of prints, usually 42–44˝ wide.

DECORATOR-WEIGHT COTTON

This cotton is much heavier than quilting cotton. Decorator cottons are usually 54˝ wide, which can be helpful for large projects. But the choice of prints is not as varied as quilting cotton, and the fabric can be a bit pricey.

CANVAS

Unbleached cotton cloth (cotton canvas) is my favorite heavyweight fabric. It’s ideal to paint on and use for lining. I love its neutral look. It comes in a 45˝ width and there is no real difference between the right or wrong side.

Knits

Although I use a nonstretchy sweater-knit fabric for the Dolman T-Shirt and Raglan Sweatshirt, most knit fabrics are stretchy. Often, you have to use a zigzag stitch at the seams to keep the elasticity of the fiber. Before you cut any knit fabric, check to see which direction has the most stretch and make sure the length of the garment does not run parallel to this direction.

Felt

Felt is ideal for crafting and sewing; it’s sturdy and its edges do not fray. Synthetic felt, which is made from recycled plastic bottles, can be found everywhere and in a variety of colors. Or you can choose felt in natural fibers such as wool and bamboo (my fave!). Felt can be found in the craft section sold by the sheet (letter size), or in the yardage department sold on 72˝-wide bolts.

Keep in mind synthetic felt melts, so always cover it with a cloth if you need to iron it.

Oilcloth

Oilcloth is regular cotton fabric fused with a thin layer of vinyl. It’s perfect for making water-resistant, easy-wash items. The selection in fabric stores is generally limited, but you can find more online. There’s also the option of making your own by ironing fusible vinyl to fabric, or asking a parent for a tablecloth made from oilcloth that you can cut! You can also use a solid-color vinyl totally made from plastic.

sewing supplies and tools

Basic Sewing Kit

1. Pins and pincushion

2. Fabric scissors

3. Thread snipers

4. Measuring tape