cover image We Love to Sew: 30 Pretty Things to Make: Jewelry, Headbands, Softies, T-shirts, Pillows, Bags & More

We Love to Sew: 30 Pretty Things to Make: Jewelry, Headbands, Softies, T-shirts, Pillows, Bags & More

Annabel Wrigley. C & T/Fun Stitch Studio, $22.95 paper with lay-flat binding (176p) ISBN 978-1-60705-632-4

Wrigley has aimed her first book at the same market that her business, Little Pincushion Studio, attracts: girls between the ages of 8 and 12 who want to learn how to sew. This book, despite a cluttered design that packs too much information onto each page, is a great beginner’s guide. The lay-flat binding is a nice touch for young hands. It should be noted that a number of the projects involve no sewing whatsoever, such as a set of pom-pom earrings that are adorable, but involve only gluing. That said, there are few duds in the book’s projects, from an opening array of cut-and-sewn felt flowers to a more complicated flag quilt project. The aesthetic is young and fresh, but not overly pink or bejeweled—a nice change of pace. Wrigley reminds her young readers to get help for the more complicated projects, and though a trusty adult sewist should probably be nearby, ready to give clarifying instructions for all but the simplest projects, this book is an excellent addition to the young seamstress’s bookshelf. Full color photos. Ages 8-14. (Mar.)