Posted on 02/12/2018
If I had a dime for every time I heard someone say that they "can't sew," I'd, well, have a lot of dimes. Even if you don't have a sewing machine or the desire to start making your own clothing or window treatments, you can learn — and teach your child — basic hand stitching. Keep in mind that sewing isn't just for decorative art; it's a very practical skill that can be used to repair clothing, avoiding waste and needless spending. At once green and frugal, it's quite in line with today's values.
Of course, sewing does require a sharp needle and thread, so be cautious in presenting young children with this craft. You may also want to thread the needle for them or use a needle threader to avoid frustration. If you don't think your child is ready quite yet, you may want to begin with these string-based crafts instead.
Pre-Sewing Skills
Preschoolers likely won't have the coordination to start sewing fabric, but once they understand the concept of connecting dot-to-dot, they can learn needle use with lacing cards and safety pins. Either commercially made lacing cards or DIY lacing cards can be used: the basic idea is to use a sturdy surface with holes already punched in them in a specific pattern. You'll need to use thinner string or yarn than what's typically provided with lacing cards, and simply tie the yarn to the closed ring of a small safety pin. (Alternatively, you could use plastic needles.) Preschoolers can also learn to attach buttons or beads as they "stitch."
Beginning Sewing Skills
From lacing cards, kids can move on to either plastic canvas or wood with pre-drilled holes. Once kids can go in and out of pre-made holes, they can learn to sew buttons onto fabric. While that might not sound like much fun, it can be when those buttons are arranged to form a shape, like this Button Tree! An embroidery hoop is helpful, especially for beginners, because it helps keep the fabric taut.
Basic Stitching Projects
School-aged children can be introduced to Basic Stitches with felt and embroidery floss. Felt is relatively inexpensive, and kids can start with projects like this Travel Tic Tac Toe board and then move on to pieced projects that requiring stitching multiple pieces together and filling them with stuffing. From Throw Pillows and Play Food to Christmas Ornaments and beyond, the possibilities are nearly endless.
Basic stitches can be combined with buttons to create items like these Button Flowers, which can be attached to pins, hair clips, or other items. Stitching doesn't have to happen on fabric, either; it can be used in paper crafting, like for this Road Trip Embroidery project.
Once kids have mastered basic stitches, you can ask them which direction they'd prefer to take their stitching skills. You can find many pre-made kits for embroidery, fabric piecing or applique, and cross stitch. Beginner kits usually have applique pieces already cut out or lines for stitching pre-printed on the fabric.
The Bedroom Source
Located near the Roosevelt Field Mall on Long Island, The Bedroom Source is your source for the best collection of children's and teen bedroom furniture. From flexibly configurable Maxtrix furniture to fashionable Smartstuff collections, The Bedroom Source offers high end furniture and professional design assistance to create the bedroom of your child's dreams.
Contact the friendly staff at The Bedroom Source by calling (516) 248-0600 or by submitting our online contact form. We're a local family owned mom & pop store. When you shop with us, you're dealing directly with the owners. We professionally assemble everything we sell. We deliver to Nassau, Suffolk, the 5 Boroughs, Southern Westchester, Southwestern Connecticut & Northern New Jersey.