…to the companion page to the How to Teach Sewing to Kids eBook! Here you’ll find all the links to many of the projects I suggested in the book and the exact tools I used in my sewing classes, as well as some of my favorite sewing books for kids and teens.
These are two machines I’d recommend for sewing with children. Prices have gone up significantly in the years since the pandemic, so don’t forget to always look for older metal machines at thrift stores and estate sales. Those machines can be great and will last forever! But if you want to buy some new, I recommend these two models.
These are a few of the tried and true tools I used in my sewing classes. I like good prices and sturdy design! You may find better prices by using coupons at your local shops, but these are the brands to look for.
Seam Ripper (this is my favorite one because it’s actually sharp!)
Glue Gun with Dual Temp (to help prevent burns)
Tacky Glue (hands down the best craft glue!)
Chaco-liners, my favorite marking tool.
The eBook includes large lists of project ideas that I sewed with the students in my classes. Many of them are patterns and tutorials here on my site or YouTube channel, and a few are patterns I purchased from others. Here they are in alphabetical order. If a project is listed in the book, but not linked here, I made that pattern up and did not publish it (sorry from my past self!)
Zipper Pouches, lined
Zipper Pouches, unlined
This is one of my favorites for sewing with the youngest children! It has several sweet hand sewing projects and just lots of good little patterns that appeal to kids.
Sewing School is a series now! These are great projects for multiple ages with some creative ideas I didn’t find everywhere else. It’s written towards kids too, which they obviously like. Sewing School Quilts is my second favorite in the series.
Another excellent series, these books have modern project with great photography, making them appealing to kids. I’d say the projects in most of this series are on the girlie side. Also loved by my students: We love to Sew Gifts, We love to Sew Bedrooms and We Love to Craft Christmas.
I love this book because it has doable projects that are either simple clothing or creative accessories, plus upcycling ideas for existing clothing, which gets kids thinking creatively and frugally.
I LOVE this book, it’s one of my top favorites and has the best creative projects, even if you’re not a teen! Very cool projects that are fun to personalize and that teens won’t find dorky, ha!
This book has lots of clothing projects that teens love because Angela Lan wrote it when she was a teen herself! For ages 12-16.
I’ve had this book since before I even had kids, but it was a favorite in my sewing classes. Such cute projects, scrap friendly, can be hand sewn, and these projects jut have the cutest personalities!
“I have been teaching sewing for a few years at a homeschool co-op. Previously, I taught at a 4-H group but have hesitated to teach in my home. I bought the book and am now ready to give it a try. My young adult daughters do a lot of theatre, so a class on making costumes would be perfect, too. The book has a lot of practical information and creative ideas told in Nikki's fun, down-to-earth voice . Get her book if you are at all interested in teaching sewing!” — Julia D.
