My First Sewing Machine

Praise

Booklist (American Library Association)

The sewing machine and its accompanying home economics classes were once something to be feared, with many complicated moving parts and instructions. Today, the instrument and its directions have been simplified and streamlined, as Bijasson’s guide, translated from French, demonstrates.
Labeled for ages seven and up, the guide focuses on Bijasson’s 30 projects while ignoring some basics of the machine (there are no details about sewing machine parts, diagrams, and troubleshooting, for example). The projects, though, are easy-to-make home and kitchen items (tissue box cover, apron) and wearables (skirt, scarf, T-shirt revamp). Patterns feature a color photograph of the finished item, with some cutting and overall diagrams and short instructions. With some parental guidance recommended, this will excite sewing-obsessed kids.— Barbara Jacobs