Gifts: Craft Books for Kids

See and Sew, By Tina Davis
See and Sew is a charming yet practical how-to hand sew book geared towards younger children (with adult assistance). What I like about this book is the in depth information on tools, fabric selection, stitches, and safety. There are step by step illustrated instructions for basic sewing and embroidery stitches along with templates for monograms in a variety of fonts. The book is filled with charming and colorful vintage style illustrations and the projects are not only perfect for beginners they are also really cute and fun and to do. Projects include a strawberry potholder, elf slippers, sock doll, and drawstring bag. There are also instructions for how to make sewing cards for the youngest sewer.


Kids Learn to Knit, by Lucinda Guy
In Kids Learn to Knit, children ages 5 and up will learn how to knit and purl using large, colorful, clearly illustrated step by step instructions from the basic stitches to how to read a chart. What I love about the book are the cute colorful mice and wolf characters on each page and the projects. The projects are perfect for younger children who want to make something super quick and fun; you won't find any long, boring garter stitch scarf patterns here. Each project allows the child to make something using a technique they've learned including the knit stitch (colorful flags), purl stitch (stuffed dog), stockinette stitch (stuffed owl), and shaping (butterflies and a bag).


The Best of Sewing Machine Fun for Kids, by Lynda Milligan
The Best of Sewing Machine Fun is a great introduction for kids to learn how to use a sewing machine. The book includes quizzes and riddles to help children learn the basics of the machine fun. There are exercises, puzzles, and patterns designed to help a child build and develop their sewing skills. The children begin by sewing straight lines with a threadless needle then work their way through dot to dot and maze activities to gain confidence using the machine. There are 13 fun projects to sew their own greeting cards, shaped animals, games, pillow, and even a soft cloth hamburger.