Making Fleece Crafts

Review by "TaniaHop"

I just picked up Judy Ann Sadler's "Making Fleece Crafts" at my local bookstore and am thrilled with the ideas and the thorough presentation. This 40 page paperback book contains ideas, patterns, and instruction for fifteen nifty (and EASY!) crafts. As the back cover says, "Fleece is warm, soft, stretchy, colorful, non-raveling, easy to wash, quick to dry and, best of all, simple to work with." It is an ideal fabric for beginning sewers -- both young and old -- and Judy Ann Sadler provides some fun and creative ideas in this book.

One of the things that is especially appealing is that this book offers ideas and techniques that are geared to a variety of levels of sewing experience. From the most simple no-sew scarf up through cozy pillows, funky hats, and cuddly beanbag animals there are many options presented. Many of the items can be glued instead of sewed, and the sewed items can usually be completed by hand or with a machine.

'Making Fleece Crafts' begins with an introduction to the materials needed (fleece, fabric markers, pins, needle and thread and/or glue) and an overview of basic sewing stitches such as the overcast stitch, the backstitch, and the blanket stitch. Then it goes on to describe simply and illustrate clearly the procedures necessary to create each of the following items: No-sew Scarf, Snake Scarf, Snuggly Neckwarmer, Cozy Headband, Pom-pom Hat, Dino-mite Hat, Jester Hat, Two-color Mittens, Slouchy Slipper Socks, Beanbag Pig, Fleecy Frog (my personal favorite), Blanket-in-a-pillow, More Blankets, Tassel Toss Cushion, and Plenty of Pillows.

The ideas are fun and creative, but I should stress that they are simple. The Slouchy Slipper Socks, for example, are made from one 12" x 22" rectangle of fabric in a tube-sock fashion, so they really do slouch in the front. The Two-color mittens are made by tracing around your hand, adding 1/2 " seam allowance, cutting two pieces for each hand, and stitching them together. If you are looking for intricate patterns and more complicated projects (like mittens with thumb gussets or fleece socks with a separate sole), you should perhaps look elsewhere.

My daughter (who is four-years old and enjoys hand-sewing) is looking forward to trying out some of the ideas as soon as possible. And though I had hoped for more intricate patterns for myself, I am just as eager to get started! The fabulous, fun, and zany patterns are an inspiration to even the most experience sewer!! I can tell that my daughter and I are going to put to good use the two garbage bags full of fleece remnants that we bought for $3.00 at a community resource center. Does everyone know what I am giving them for Christmas? We are even considering donating some hats, mittens, and scarves to a local shelter.

If you are looking for simple, fun and creative ideas, as well as clearly illustrated step-by-step instructions, definitely check this book out!! It would make a great gift for a younger sewer, too. I'd give it two thumbs up, but my hands are busy pinning fleece pieces! ;) I know I am going to look into other books in the "Kids Can Do It" series in the near future. Best of luck to you all in your fleece sewing projects!