Lynda Milligan and Nancy Smith are the creators of the I’ll Teach Myself series, designed to introduce sewing to a younger generation. Although they have now retired, they continue to share their passion by designing patterns and teaching classes.

Here is a book that makes learning to use a sewing machine great fun even for the youngest child.  With plenty of games and activities to help them get to grips with even the more complex tasks fast this book is a sure-fire winner – no wonder this is the second edition! I wish this book had been around when I learned to sew.  It is filled with colorful child-friendly activities making ordinary things like identifying sewing machine parts, sewing around complex shapes, safety rules and more fun.  There are lots of projects too from making greetings cards and Christmas tree decorations to wallets, appliqué motifs, bags, and a soft toy burger!  A panel of young stitchers aged 7-17 have suggested and tested out everything so you can be sure that it hasn’t just been dreamed up by experienced adults.  Techniques covered include sewing on paper as well as fabric, working with patterns, using fusible web and freezer paper, pressing, filling and looking after the machine.  I particularly like the way the book has been laid out, with good-sized print, colorful diagrams and some amusing cartoons as well as puzzles, check lists and photographs of finished items.  Laid out in this way everything looks fun and do-able, not too daunting and has a purpose once made up.  Another point in the book’s favor is that the items to make are not “girly”.  This is a book a boy can enjoy using too with monsters, an owl, peace sign, Christmas shapes and more all being very unisex.  A winner all round!

• I'm bored. What can I do?" A Note to Helper Stars About This Book Let's Go! Discover Stitching Mouse Pivots Climb the Peaks and Ride the Waves Patti's Puzzle Your Machine Place the Parts Safety First! Stitch Along Tangled Threads Word Search Thread the Machine Building Blocks Sewing Basket Dot-to-Dot Stitching Paper-Backed Fusible Web Crossword Puzzle Driver's Training Paper Shapes Wildcards Create a Card Custom Envelopes Machine T.L.C. Soft Shape Heart Soft Shape Peace Sign Button-Up Owl How Did You Do? Crazy Cords Possibilities Pocket Super Sewer's Secret Code Mix and Match Monster Cover-Ups Up With Letters Fish N' Stitch Backpack Sewing Sillies Don't Let UP Bag It Burger Bites Word Search Treasure Pouch Fred's Thread Answers to Puzzles