Simple Sewing: 30 Fast and Easy Projects for Beginners

by Katie Lewis

Unleash your creativity and become the successful do-it-yourself sewer you've always wanted to be! Using the tips, techniques, and 30 assorted sewing projects in this guide, you'll be able to create custom household items and gifts in no time. From baby bibs and tote bags to Christmas decorations and children's toys, every project in this book will build your sewing skills while adding a tasteful handmade touch to your home.

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 11, 2013

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

This is Katie^^Lewis, where ^=space.

About Katie Lewis:
KATIE LEWIS graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Home and Family Living. She started writing on her blog, The Red Kitchen, in 2008 where she regularly publishes fun and easy craft and sewing tutorials. She currently lives in Columbus, Ohio, where she teaches local sewing classes for beginners.

Reviews

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've done a little bit of sewing, but I usually get stuck on the simplest of patterns. I get confused about what to do next and usually have to unpick parts of it. I really loved this book because there were 30 great and useful projects that were written in a way that is so easy to understand. There are pictures for each step so that I could be sure I was doing things the right way. There is a section at the very beginning where basic sewing things are explained and that was helpful.

I received a copy for review and immediately sat down and looked through the book. My younger two kids were looking through things with me and we decided to make the hand warmers for their friend gifts for Christmas this year. I was surprised at how easily they came together and they were really cute. My kids loved filling them with the rice.

I used the flannel scraps to make little doll blankets with the pattern in the book. It was also explained very well.

I wanted to wait and review this book until I had a chance to try more patterns, but with Christmas coming this week, those projects are on hold for a week or so, and I decided to go ahead with the review.

This book is a great find for those looking for fun projects with easy to follow steps and minimal stress.

[Pamela N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title says it all

I look forward to using this book to make some items for myself and my family.
What I especially liked about this book was the beginning of the book, aimed at beginners, with definitions of terms, process, and materials.
The photos are clear, and colorful as well as enticing.
I'm eager to get going on the first project!

[dina locher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sewing made Easier

I chose this book because it had small sewing projects for beginners.
Lots of fresh new Ideas and small sewing projects that don't take slot
Of time to complete, makes you feel like you really accomplished something
That sewn well and things for gift ideas or things you can use yourself!
Clear easy to follow instructions!

[HELEN CLAWSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great info for a beginner. Detailed instructions, patterns, all described in full. I was a very good seamstress in my younger years but having started sewing again at 82, this book has really helped me brush up on minor details that I had forgotten.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beginner Only But Good

Perfect for beginners who want to make some fun things…lots of great instruction and pictures. Most of these items can be found online though. Unfortunately I’m looking for a little more advanced and a little more unique.

[Valerie Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good starter projects

Great ideas for your children or the grand babies, or even a friend, very sweet items to make. I personally want to make the warmers for our toots on a chilly winter night.

[Morana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Download patterns not available

Simple patterns but all of the links to downloadable patterns go to a defunct webpage showcasing Spam.

While the pictures are great for some, the downloadable patterns are needed for others

[sharon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Beyond lame!

This basically either a square or rectangular piece of fabric assembled in a slightly different way from ideas available all over the Internet. Glad it was free.

[Tammy L. Fenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and Easy

Yes, very simple but great practice to improve or refresh your sewing skills. Could make these simple gifts for friends.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review with pics on the blog: Books and Things

This book is really a good beginner book if you haven't sewn before. I will add that it is a good book if you have. I really enjoyed the simple projects in this book. Yes, I could have probably figured them out on my own, but you have all the dimensions for the projects here and you don't have to figure them out! Oh and this would also be an excellent book to teach someone how to sew.

I took a couple of projects from this book and added my own bit to them. I think anyone with a bit of sewing knowledge could do the same. It makes it more fun. :)

I give this book 4 stars. It was a great jumping off place for someone like me who likes to fool around with simple projects. It's also great for those just starting to sew. I don't have any great skills (I have aunts who blow me away with their skill) but I do enjoy sewing for enjoyment and crafts. Plus, these are going to make good stocking stuffers. :)

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before getting this book for Christmas, the extent of my sewing was done in High School. And believe me, I was no master. I asked my parents to get me "Simple Sewing," because of all the good reviews I read on Amazon. I'm happy to say, this book completely lived up to my expectations. Although most of the projects in this book are squares, there's a nice variety helpful for any beginner. Each project presented step by step PHOTO instructions, which benefited me because I'm a visual learner. And by each step I mean every step of the way, including how to pin your pieces before you even START stitching.I made the place mats, hand warmers, hairbows and a little catch all basket for my desk at work. I love this book and I'd recommend it to any beginner looking to build a solid foundation of sewing skills!

[Vilo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book! Full disclosure, the author is a friend. But the book blew me away with how beautiful it is--I knew it would be good but I keep picking it up to browse through. It just makes you want to sew (which is a hard sell for me, not being terribly domestic). The projects are not only fast and easy but they are creative, useful, and easily varied to be individual for the individuals you sew them for. There is a toy section! And I am definitely sewing a beautiful cover for a notebook to make it special.

[Tasha Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Ideas

Great Ideas

this is a great book for quick ideas and little projects. I am a beginner on a machine and found it very easy to make several things for my children!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has so many great projects and they don't shy away from Christian ones either. The pictures are really good and the instructions are very clear. I highly recommend this book!