LESSON TWELVE

Pop Quiz

Now that you’ve had your sewing lessons, it’s time to put your skills to the test. Here are two projects to make for your sewing kit. If you can follow the instructions, you’ll get an A⁺!

A Book of Needles

What You Need

• Pattern for A Book of Needles
• Felt scrap
• Chalk
• Scissors
• Button
• Sewing needle
• Thread

Let’s Review

Before you begin, you’ll need to know how to:

• sew on a button

A NOTE FOR GROWN-UPS

While this is a simple project, young sewers might need help sewing on the button, particularly if this is the first time they’ve done it. Another option is to make the book without a button.

Instructions

1. 1. Print and cut out the pattern piece, or simply use chalk to draw a 5" x 3" rectangle onto the fabric one time.
   
2. 2. Cut out the felt piece with scissors.
   
3. 3. Now add a button. Sew the button onto one side of the felt. Sew it to the middle of the side.
   
4. 4. Fold the felt over the button.
   
5. 5. Use chalk to mark the felt on top of the button.
   
6. 6. Fold the felt on the chalk mark. Cut along the chalk mark to make a buttonhole.
   
7. 7. Add your needles to the inside of the book by sticking them through the felt.
   
   

MAKE IT YOURS

• Add “pages” to your book by sewing two books together.
• Embroider the front.
  
• Sew a pocket inside to hold your needle threader.
• Skip the button and the book will still be fine.
  

Apple Pincushion

What You Need

• Pattern for Apple Pincushion
• Felt scraps (red, green, and black)
• Chalk
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing needle
• Thread
• Stuffing

Let’s Review

Before you begin, you’ll need to know how to:

• sew a running stitch
• stuff a pillow

A NOTE FOR GROWN-UPS

This is a good first project. Sewers might need help when it comes to sewing through all the layered pieces of felt.

Instructions

1. 1. Print and cut out the pattern piece. Use chalk to trace it onto red felt two times.
   
2. 2. Cut out the two felt pieces.
   
3. 3. Draw a leaf shape on green felt with chalk.
   
4. 4. Cut out the felt leaf.
   
5. 5. Draw a stem shape on black felt with chalk.
   
6. 6. Cut out the felt stem.
   
7. 7. Put the leaf and the stem on one of the felt apples.
   
8. 8. Put the second apple on top of the first one with the leaf and stem in between.
   
9. 9. Time to sew. Push the needle through all the pieces of felt at the top of the apple.
   
10. 10. Sew around the edge with a running stitch. Leave an opening for stuffing the apple.
    
11. 11. Take your needle off the thread. Put your needle in your needle book to keep it safe until you need it again.
    
12. 12. Stuff the apple.
    
13. 13. Rethread the needle. Sew the opening closed. Now make a knot in the thread. Then cut the thread close to the knot.
    
14. 14. Time to put pins in your apple and add your pincushion to your sewing kit.
    
    

MAKE IT YOURS

• Change the color — now it’s an orange!
• Use cotton or fleece fabric.
• Change the shape and make a new pincushion, such as a banana or an eggplant.
• Use it as a fun little pillow instead of a pincushion.