My First Sewing Kit by Alex Crafts, Perfect for Beginners, Arts and Crafts Colorful and Fun Sewing Projects to Learn the Basic Skills of Sewing (Ages 7+)

Please let me start by saying that I have not actually USED this product yet. I purchased it as a gift for a friend's daughter who turned five, and before I gave it to her, I opened it up and photographed the things inside, so you can look at those pictures and the notes I wrote on them for even more information. However, I was so pleased with the quality and overall FUN-ness (to coin a word) of this product, that I am now back to purchase one for my own daughter who will be turning five soon. However, although I haven't yet used it, I can supply the following information: 1. The Box: The box it comes in is a little cardboard suitcase, brightly colored and patterned, with bright red stitching sewing it together. It has a typical suitcase-type handle made of metal and plastic that folds down flush against the box for easy storage, and those nifty metal clasps that one finds on tackle boxes or boxes for art supplies. It is easy for little people to open and close. The box is sturdy enough to keep using for the sewing kit, as long as you don't sit on it or anything. 2. The Supplies: Upon opening the box, you see a very FULL kit. It does not look like a thing or two overpackaged in a huge box; the box is stuffed. It contains the following: -a paperback booklet explaining the projects along with sewing basics; -a package of stuffing (which is probably not enough to do more than one or two of the projects, but will get your little one started, at least until you can get to Michaels or have Amazon ship you the stuffing of your choice); -a packet of felt of various colors, cut into various shapes, such as animals, as well as rectangles; -A packet of a few scraps of quilting cotton in bright colors and patterns; a sewing kit containing: -a cheap plastic thimble (worthless, but it's unlikely that a five-year-old would use a thimble anyway, especially with felt); -a paper measuring tape; -a pair of inexpensive sissors (I don't truly know how well these will cut fabric, though for snipping threads they seem like they would be fine); -a "toy" tomato pincushion (I say "toy" because, although it will hold pins without a doubt, it is not stuffed very full, it is made of a lightweight cotton batiste or similar fabric, and it does not come with the usual emory strawberry for sharpening your needles, but after all, this is a FIRST SEWING KIT - not a "Last-You-a-Lifetime Sew-a-Rama Sewing System"); -a wheel of large-head multicolor pins; -a few sewing needles; -many standard skeins of DMC embroidery floss in bright colors; -a packet of ribbons and trims, etc - again, not very many but enough to get a kid started with a project or two until mama has time to go through her scrap bag and find more things. All of these items fit very nicely into the box, as I said - it neither looks chintzy and over-packaged, nor is it stuffed so full you cannot close it once opened. The kit is priced VERY nicely for what you get. My daughter was so excited about giving it to her friend, and kept saying how much she wanted one of her own, and the friend also seemed very excited to receive it. All that said, here are my few criticisms: 1.) Pink, red, orange, etc color theme is very specifically aimed at girls. Well, I think little boys might enoy making stuffed animals and doo-dads, too. Alex could either make a similar kit geared to little boys, or make an effort to make the box, materials, and trims more gender neutral. 2.) A few things in the kit are a little cheap - I'm thinking of the thimble and the paper tape measure. It might be better to leave these things out, as even without them, the kit is quite complete. The cheap quality of these few little items alost detracts from the high quality of the rest of the product. 3.) The kit says "age 7 and up"; Although a 7-year-old might enjoy it, I think it is quite age appropriate for a five-year-old, as long as assistance will be provided. In fact, I might say that a 7-year-old should have something a little more advanced than this. But then, it all depends on the child - mine is very good with crafts and things of this sort, and has done some sewing before. You have to decide for yourself. I wouldn't give this to a ten-year-old, though. All in all, this product is great and I highly recommend it. Please look at my customer images for closeups of the included items and the box, and for more notes about the product. Enjoy!

My nine year old absolutely loves this set and so do I. The cute case is a nice addition and holds the product well. It isn’t the sturdiest material, but it holds up. Just make sure to not over stuff it or handle it roughly and it will be fine. From the reviews I figured it would break or would be more flimsy but nope. The instructions are a not very clear to understand. My daughter and I looked more to the pictures than the words. I bought another book that goes more into detail and elaborates better. Overall, we are enjoying the set. It comes with everything you need to get started on cute projects and they are super easy for a child to do. I’d recommend for any curious kid or adult to try.

I bought this for my daughter who just turned seven. She loves the kit! The animals are adorable and the kit is good quality and great way to start a sewing kit to keep for years to come. The only downside, is that for younger child, an adult must be heavily involved so if you are planning to buy this for someone to keep her child busy, you need to know that. My daughter did some simple straight stitching, loved doing the stuffing and of course wanted to choose all of the accessorizing. But I did the bulk of the sewing and especially sewing on the little details, for example the dogs tongue and ear. A chopstick came in handy for stuffing the Narrow parts. Overall a great kit, but needs adult involvement I would say Until age 12? But also a great way to bond with a younger child and teach sewing skills. Photo of our creations attached! I think they are cuter in person than on the box!

This is an awesome project kit and starter sewing kit for young kids. The box is like contact paper on cardboard (great that it's not plastic) with a metal handle & latch. The needless are like darning needles (maybe smaller) and the fabrics are mostly pre-cut felt with a few pieces like bed sheet material. Lots of colors and generous amounts fluff for the inside of stuffed animals. Our busy 7 year old sat right down the day after Christmas and did the elephant independently. I think it would be great even for 3 siblings ages 5-12 to sit down and work on together because thereare 3projects... just buy a 3rd needle separately. It even comes with the small sewing scissors (supervise any under 6). I recommend this set to a wide age range and any gender.

This isn’t a paid advertisement, Legitimately, This kit is amazing. Here’s why. My daughter struggles with her focus, ability to sit still, and confidence. I bought her this kit and the colors and textures of everything in it kept her very engaged. She focused intensely and created her first “hand made” stuffed animal. Not only did she get a huge confidence boost, she found a crafting hobby she enjoys and is taking at her own pace. She also developed a better appreciation for things and her toys now that she realizes the work that goes into making something beautiful. I just wish I would have bought it for her sooner.

I forgot I got this for my daughter until she pulled it out last weekend and asked to do it. I thought it would be way above her level, since she's 6. She made a dog. She picked out all of the felt pieces she wanted on it, picked out the colors for the thread, and did almost all of the sewing. I threaded the needle and helped her fit it together, and then I cleaned up some bad stitches, but that's it. I also helped her stuff it, and I did the button eyes because she asked me to, but I'm sure she could do it herself. Overall, a very adorable kit that lets kids be creative but gives them enough guidance to make cute projects. Win.

This is a great gift for a child that wants to learn to sew. They instructions are easy to follow. There are several projects to create. The included projects are "girly" but you can find "boyish" stuffed toys to make from felt online. There is more than enough thread to make additional projects, but there was only enough stuffing to make the cat. Our 7 year old daughter needed help getting the needle threaded & tied when finished. This is a great activity for time with your child.

The projects are cute, but this is definitely not going to be a "teach yourself to sew" kit for a kid. The instructions are... absolutely horrible. Be prepared to have an adult who knows some sewing basics to help. I wish I had thought to take a picture of the instructions to post here before I'd thrown them out. They're primarily pictures with stitch marks, and a couple of words in 4-5 different languages. In some places they're outright confusing. For example, the pocket purse. There's a picture showing to fold the top of the fabric over and stitch it, making a hem. then fold the fabric in half and it shows where the stitches should go to make the pocket ( a U shape), but it also shows the stitch line from the hem you've made in that image... so it LOOKS like it's telling you to sew the top of the pocket closed. And my daughter started to do just that, trying to follow the directions, because she's young and inexperienced didn't have the forethought to think it through. Luckily I saw and caught it and we talked it through. There's no instruction at all for using the needle threaders (though it does include one) or the thimble. And the instructions for unravelling the thread seem to say to cut through the loop of thread, as in... rather than cutting the knot to access an end, just cut through the whole thing - cutting all of your thread. I can't even fathom why... I like that the pieces are pre-cut, and I do think the projects are cute. They're simple enough that they can be made without a huge time commitment, giving new sewers a confidence boost since they'll quickly have a completed project. The supplies included are a bit hit or miss. The plastic thimble is trash, I had trouble even cutting the thread with the included scissors, not to mention the fabric for the purse. And the needles are too small for the included thread, my daughter had a horrible time pulling it through the fabric once the needle was through. The suitcase type kit is cute and colorful, once she's finished all the projects in here I'm sure it'll be come the home to some other toys. Overall, I think it's overpriced for what it is. She's having fun with it though, and that's what's important to me. And the convenience of having pre-cut projects is great.