Sewers no longer have to be hemmed in by traditional patterns. The Sew What! series introduces a whole new sewing style and#8212; free-form, improvisational, and self-expressive. With no prior experience, crafty young women can now create simple, colorful wearables using not much more than a tape measure, some fabric, and a basic machine.

In this adventurous new world of sewing, it's all about the fabric, and fleece is the perfect choice for the creative sew-what woman. Soft, luxurious, incredibly forgiving, and relatively inexpensive, fleece is the fabric of a new generation. It doesn't fall apart easily, needs no edge hemming and comes in bright colors and contemporary patterns. And fleece isn't just for outerwear any longer! Lighter weights and finer finishes are wonderful choices for creating snug, casual indoor clothing.

Designers Carol Jessop and Chaila Sekora have created 30 fleecy projects with endless possibilities for personal variations. Plush hats, scarves, wraps, and jackets fulfill the original purpose of fleeceand#8212;superior outdoor warmth when cold weather hits. Yoga pants, a robe, and adorable baby accessories, including booties, buntings, and blankets, are excellent projects for fleece so thin, it's hard to believe it's fleece. And what collection of fleece projects would be complete without a few dog accessories? Doggie Do Rags, a collar, and a jacket are simple projects, quick to sew and guaranteed to please the most discriminating canine.

A creative approach, playful photographs, and super-simple instructions give sewers the confidence to try every project and experiment with personal touches and embellishments. Sewing is officially fun again. Those cumbersome old home-ec patterns are truly a thing of the past!

Give Fleece a Chance! Feeling hemmed in by fragile fabrics and complicated patterns? Versatile, forgiving fleece allows you to skip right past difficult linings, traditional seam finishes, and tedious ironing. So choose a project, add a touch of personal flair, and SEW YOUR OWN STYLE!

Carol Jessop designs clothing, books, and magazines, always trying to andquot;make things pretty.andquot; She is an avid collector of other people's castoffs and junk, incorporating them into her eclectic homedecorating style. She lives in Vermont with her dog, Penelope, and is a part-time snowboard instructor.Chaila Sekora is a self-made fashion guru who loves clothes and is always up-to-date on the latest fashion. She lives in Vermont with her impressive collection of high heels.