Pins and Needles - Increase your sewing skills

	Quan.	Description	Price
1.		Pins & Needles An Intermediate Sewing Book by JoAnn Gagnon - 80 pages Item No. BPN	$24.95
2.		Extra Pattern Sheets for Pins & Needles Item No. BPN-XP	$5.00
3.		Pins & Needles patterns for 18" dolls Stitch up matching outfits for you and your doll. Item No. PAT-PND	$8.95
4.		Pins & Needles PLUS 18" Coordinating Doll Patterns $$SAVE$$ Purchase Pins & Needles, An Intermediate Sewing Book, AND the 18" coordinating doll clothing pattern. Save $2.00. Retail - $33.90; You pay - $31.90 Item No. PN_PAT	$31.90 $33.90

All prices in US Dollars

A few of our projects:

Snugly and warm describes Polar Fleece which is so popular now. It is also surprisingly easy to sew! Fleece sewing patterns include a zipper front vest, and hooded jacket which has the option of stitching it as a pull-over style or with a zippered front. Wintertime accessories are not forgotten. The comfy mittens, wrap-around scarf, ear warmer, and two styles of the snow hat patterns are included in this book.

Fleece sewing patterns include a zipper front vest, and hooded jacket which has the option of stitching it as a pull-over style or with a zippered front. Wintertime accessories are not forgotten. The comfy mittens, wrap-around scarf, ear warmer, and two styles of the snow hat patterns are included in this book.

You will be introduced to serger sewing by making several outfits - T shirts and shorts for summertime wear, and sweat suits for cooler weather activities. A pieced heart border and the duck appliqué on the sweat shirts make these outfits fun to wear.

Sewing techniques taught in our front buttoned vest appliqué, include appliqué, buttons and buttonholes, lining and pockets. You will learn to sew on a waistband and to stitch soft pleats while stitching the culottes skirt. The blouse pattern has variations for puff or roll-up sleeves, rounded or pointed collars, and buttons up the front. The floppy hat completes the outfit in a fun way.

After learning to sew gathers, line a bodice, put in a zipper, and make a border on your jumper, you are ready to take these skills a step farther by adding piping and turning the project into a sundress. Also included is a pattern for a shawl collar jacket.

Pintucks, lace insertion, and machine embroidery are heirloom sewing techniques learned when you make a fancy bag and blouse. A variety of quilting projects are included. Log Cabin and Courthouse Steps piecing, strip quilting, appliqué, quick bias, and quilters grid are all techniques used in making game boards, coasters, placemats, wall hangings and Christmas sewing projects. 18" doll clothes patterns matching the projects in this book are also available.

		Sewing Tip--Sewing Machine Problems
		The first thing to do if you are experiencing problems with your sewing machine is rethread your machine. This generally takes care of most problems.
		Change your needles often...whenever you begin a new project. You may need to change three or four times before completing your quilt project.
		Keep your machine clean. using a soft brush, clean the lint from the lower part of your machine after each project. Lint collects around the bobbin casing and can cause problems.
		If using a twin needle for pintucks, be sure each thread goes on different sides of the tension disc when threading.
		Make sure your bobbin is correctly inserted. Never change the tension on the bobbin case.
		Keep your machine oiled. We suggest oiling every three months.

Check it out!

Instructional Slide shows:

Table of Contents, A project, and AppliqueInstructions from "Pins & Needles"

Pins and Needles - Table of Contents, Project & Instructions

"Pins & Needles" review by The Old Schoolhouse Store:

Once upon a time, all young girls learned the art of sewing from their mothers and grandmothers. It was a necessary skill and one that no homemaker dared be without. But sadly, this domestic art has fallen largely by the wayside in today's culture. Many mothers themselves lack the know-how to teach their daughters even the most rudimentary sewing skills, and they have no idea where to start. But thanks to JoAnn Gagnon and her excellent instructional manuals, help is on the way!

Ms. Gagnon has written a whole series of books on the art of sewing-for the novice all the way up to the seasoned seamstress. Her first book, Stitches and Pins, introduces beginning skills and simple projects. This review, however, will focus on two of her other books for the more experienced seamstress-Pins & Needles: An Intermediate Sewing Book and Pintucks & Lace: Using Heirloom Techniques on Today's Styles.

Pins & Needles is an 80-page, wire-bound manual that continues where Stitches & Pins left off. It covers more challenging sewing techniques, including waistbands, zippers, and set-in sleeves, while also briefly reviewing basic skills as needed. The format of the book is very easy to use, and I really like the way the instruction in the various techniques is immediately followed by projects designed to incorporate, practice, and perfect the skills that have just been learned. As always, "doing" is the best way to remember!

There are over 30 projects in this manual, including instruction in using a serger, quilting, heirloom sewing, polar fleece, and garment construction. And all patterns are in a handy pocket on the inside of the back cover. Sizes include Girls 8-16 and Misses 8-16. I especially liked the section on appliqué, as this is a technique that I've been interested in for quite some time. All projects are really nice and up-to-date-and there is something for every season!

My 15-year-old twin daughters have been taking sewing lessons for over six years, and I asked them and their sewing instructor to take a look at the manuals. They all agreed that with a good working knowledge of basic sewing skills, almost anyone could follow the step-by-step instructions in Pins & Needles. The directions are well-written, and the methods are well-presented and easy to understand.

Pintucks & Lace is a 96-page wire-bound manual that is designed to teach the experienced seamstress how to use a sewing machine to create heirloom-style clothing for today's wardrobe. There are over 24 projects to choose from (complete with sewing patterns), including a fancy gift bag, an exquisite sampler quilt, an embroidered tea cozy, a whole baby ensemble, and much more!

Of course, new and more difficult techniques must be mastered in Pintucks & Lace, such as puffing, turned appliqué, endredeaux, sharks teeth, pintucks, and more. For that reason, heirloom sewing may seem intimidating and out-of-reach for many seamstresses. But if you are already well-skilled in most areas of sewing, don't despair. According to the front matter of the manual:
In sewing heirloom you will apply heirloom techniques on the fabric first, and then cut out the pattern. You will be using lighter weight fabrics, special sewing machine feet, and starch and stabilizers as you complete a lot of precision details. Heirloom sewing is not difficult once you know the stitches and procedures, but it takes time, patience, and skill at the machine. The end result is well worth the time and effort to learn the techniques!
Once again, I asked my daughters and their sewing instruction for their opinions on Pintucks & Lace. They all agreed that while the manual's format is easy-to-use and the directions are clear and well written, this book is not for the novice. It is definitely for the seasoned seamstress who expressly wishes to learn heirloom sewing and can dedicate the extra time and effort required in order to master this lovely and historic art form.

Both books are soft-cover and retail for $24.95-a true bargain for all of the excellent instructions, projects and patterns that you receive. You can also visit the Bunkhouse Books website to find other resources, newsletters, patterns, ebooks, sewing supplies, and more. It's a veritable treasure chest!

Overall, I highly recommend these wonderful sewing manuals. If you're interested in learning this timeless and profitable domestic skill that has been passed down through the ages, be sure to check out Stitches & Pins and Pins & Needles. And who knows? Before long, you might just be ready to try Pintucks & Lace!