Review    -


Review    -


Review By: Kristen Kramer,   nightsandweekends.com - June 25, 2009
  
"Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved crafts: beading, knotting, stitching, knitting…you name it. But, for some reason, I never really got the hang of sewing—and it wasn’t until a few months ago that I finally set up my garage sale sewing machine and finished my first project. Now that I’ve gotten past that first project, I’m eager to try new projects—like the bags and folders and things found in Sara Trail’s Sew with Sara.
Fourteen-year-old seamstress Trail has been sewing for a decade, so she definitely knows her way around a sewing machine. She even makes money doing it. In her book, Sew with Sara, she teaches new sewers (especially kids—but, really, any new sewer will do) the basics of sewing: the tools, the terminology, and even the parts of the sewing machine. Then she walks through every step of the process—from cutting to ironing to working with a commercial pattern (and everything in between).
Sew with Sara is filled with tips, tricks, cute journal entries, and simple patterns—like pillows, tote bags, MP3 player covers, and more. There are also tips for helping young sewers start their own sewing business. Whether they want to sell their handmade products or host sewing parties, young entrepreneurs will find plenty of helpful information here. They’ll learn how to present themselves and their products, how to find customers, and even how to create a contract.
Of course, I’m not planning to start a sewing business, but I still love Sara’s patterns. I may not be trying to look cool in math class, but I could definitely use a cool handmade folder or two. And who couldn’t use a closet full of tote bags—or a sofa full of fun throw pillows? They’re cute projects to keep or (better yet) to give as gifts—and they’re all pretty simple to make, too. Newbies like me (no matter what their age) will be able to follow along with Sara’s step-by-step directions. There aren’t a lot of confusing patterns to cut out and follow—because most of the projects are made using squares and rectangles, which are then folded and ironed and sewn to make gorgeous finished products. And that’s something that even the most hesitant of beginning sewers can tackle without much of a problem.
So whether you’re a sewing newbie who’s just looking for some cute, simple patterns (and a little sewing help) or you’re trying to encourage a young crafter to start his or her own sewing business, Sara Trail’s Sewing with Sara is a great place to start. The lessons are straightforward, the tips are helpful, and the patterns are cute and uncomplicated."

Review   American Quilt Retailer - July 1, 2009
“Sew with Sara and you'll be in good company! Thirteen-year-old Sara Trail is a fine example of what a bright, young entrepreneur can do! She's been sewing since she was four, and as a 13-year-old, she knows what other young people want and how to teach them on their own level, in their own language. She's very cool! The book has simple basics for beginner sewers and projects to appeal to this age group…”

Review By: Wenona Napolitano,   Crafting Green World - August 21, 2009
"...The book Sew with Sara: PJs, Pillows, Bags & More–Fun Stuff to Keep, Give, SELL! is a great way to get my daughter interested in sewing. Sew with Sara: PJs, Pillows, Bags & More–Fun Stuff to Keep, Give, SELL! is by a teenage girl, Sara Trail, who started writing this book when she was 12, that’s right 12...Sew with Sara is a great book for young girls (and older girls like me who still love checking out new fun and flirty ideas), it will inspire them to be creative, to sew and to possibly become little entrepreneurs because not only does Sara provide girls with fun projects she also helps them learn about selling the products and making money. She introduces you to the basics of sewing: terminology, tools and all, the business basics, and then the best part…the projects. Tote bags, pillows, scrunchies, pajama bottoms, cell phone and MP3 covers, aprons, pretty tops, even custom made school folders- just one glance at this book had my daughter interested and excited to learn how to make the stuff. The book is full of step by step how-tos and projects shown in fun fabrics that young girls will adore. I know my ten year old is super interested. Now we just have to get some sewing lessons."

Review By: Richelle Roth,   Luke Judge - May 12, 2010
"Gr 6 Up—In this companion to her sewing book, Sew with Sara (C&T, 2009), Sara Trail demonstrates three projects for crafty teens. Beginning with a trip to the quilt shop, she introduces basic sewing tools and explains how to select fabrics. She also discusses three types of sewing machines, though the projects use only the basic machine. Thirteen-year-old Sara gives step-by-step demonstrations on how to sew a denim handbag from a pair of old jeans, an over-sized fabric wallet, and a fold-over bag. All the projects have teen flair and the instructions are delivered in a teen-friendly manner. the visual instructions work well, with printed instructions for those new to the craft. Basic instructions on using a sewing machine are not given, so inexperienced viewers will need further training. Teens will enjoy this fun addition to craft collections."

Review   Michigan Bishop Sewing Council - April 1, 2010
“Two books I've read lately would be good resources for teens, or people who work with teens, to encourage them to take up our favorite pastime…sewing. The first book is Sew with Sara by Sara Trail. Sara, 13 years old at the time her book was published, narrates her book in a delightfully conversational tone. She relates her first sewing experience using her aunt's machine when Sara was only five years old! Sara has “hints” throughout her book that offer insight and help for the new sewer. She identifies parts of the sewing machine, and a variety of sewing tools. There is a glossary of sewing vocabulary, and how to use the projects in the book to make money…”