This is one of those books that I wish had been around when I was a teenager. The author, Sara Trail, is an enterprising 13 year old who has been sewing since the age of four and has turned her hobby into a money-making venture along the way. In this book, she shares her enthusiasm and business savvy with her readers in an engaging and articulate way.

Her target audience is teens and tweens who are interested in learning to sew and making money from their sewing. I am just old enough that the abbreviated chat style language is a wee bit annoying, but it is perfect for the younger set. The writing style is lively and the many photographs mixed with eye-catching graphics keep the reader’s interest. She writes as if she is speaking directly to the reader and entries from her personal journal are sprinkled in which lends a very personal feel to the text.

The first several chapters address the tools necessary for sewing and provide a brief introduction into the basics of sewing. I like that she gives suggestions on how to economize by borrowing a machine or visiting thrift stores for fabric. She also stresses safety techniques and includes her personal experiences with sewing injuries. The later chapters of the book address the sewing projects and her ideas for making money with them. The projects include a cellphone/mp3 player cover, an apron, hair scrunchy, a tote bag and a top, among others.

I was very impressed by her chapter on business basics where she discusses how to improve sales by dressing up the sales booth, making fliers, and presenting oneself to clients. She also includes a checklist for party planning (hosting pajama parties is one of her suggestions for making money). This chapter is fantastic because there is so much more to selling than providing a material good and in this area, she has obviously excelled. The skill of providing customer service does not always come naturally so it is wonderful that she lays it out so clearly in language that teens can relate to.

If you are interested in learning more about the book, you can click on the link below for the product listing at Amazon.

Sew with Sara: PJs, Pillows, Bags & More--Fun Stuff to Keep, Give, SELL!