The Mary Frances Sewing Book 100th Anniversary Edition

Teach a child to sew with Mary Frances and her friends. This 100th anniversary edition of a delightful book introduces hand-sewing skills in story-instruction format through making a complete wardrobe for American Girl and other 18" dolls. Discover a treasure trove of timeless doll clothes patterns that can also be adapted for machine sewing by experienced sewists. . You will meet Sewing Bird, Tommy Pin Cushion, Scissors Shears and others as they lead the reader through a series of lessons and a great adventure to Thimble Land. The student begins by making basic hand-sewing stitches on 11-count Aida cloth with a blunt tapestry needle. The perfectly square weave of this fabric makes it easy to create neat and regular stitches.. Beginning skills are taught with simple projects including a doll's laundry bag, apron and handkerchief. The student will learn about needles, thread and fabric; how to fold fabric for cutting; and how to store their pattern pieces.. The Mary Frances Sewing Book 100th Anniversary Edition includes full-size patterns for doll clothes to fit an 18" doll. The patterns are placed at the back of the book on 8.5" x 11" sheets that can be removed for use or reproduced with a copy machine. Scroll down to Videos to see doll clothes made from this book.. Features:A unique quarter-fold cutting method for fewer pattern pieces, less seaming and an easier learning curve for beginners400 charming black & white illustrations4 color photos (back cover)20th century sampler23 new black & white photos of American Girl dolls wearing garments made from patterns in the bookStitches taught include:Even and uneven basting, running stitch, back stitching, overcasting, overhanding, catch stitching, hem stitching, slip stitching, cross stitching, buttonhole stitch and blanket stitch. . Techniques taught include: Hand sewing, gathering, hemming, felled seams, French seams, casings and drawstrings, attaching closures and ribbon rosettes. . 24 full-size doll clothes patterns include:Nightgown, Bathrobe and KimonoMorning Dress, Afternoon Dress, Sun Dress, Party Dress and Wedding DressPinafore, Blouse, Skirt, Shorts and RomperWinter Coat, Rain Coat, Cape, Stole and ShrugHats, Muff and GaitersThe Mary Frances Sewing Book 100th Anniversary Edition has been restored, updated, and expanded for the 21st century to include a new introduction, addendum, larger format, enhanced graphics, general directions, a fabric and notion list for each project, 23 new photos and resized patterns for doll clothes that fit American Girl and other 18-inch dolls.. Sewing is an important skill that can be learned at a young age. Every project teaches skills that can be mastered in a short while—and practiced for a lifetime.. Order your copy today to create a one-of-a-kind wardrobe for a doll.