Spring can bring rainy days or days of warmth sunshine and new growth. Either type of day is a wonderful way to get your youngest ones into the world of sewing. Don’t limit sewing to fine needle and thread work. Young fingers need practice and larger sewing projects. Encouraging fine motor skills and creativity is beneficial no matter what the age or sewing ability!
Sewing Buttons
Do you want to introduce your preschooler to sewing? Or maybe you are looking for a craft that doesn’t include glue and glitter?
For this craft you will only need a bowlful of large buttons (15-30…depending on how many kids and their interest level!), sheets of plastic canvas and lacing cords (such as lacing cords from a lacing card, or clean shoelaces).
You can tie a knot in one end of the cord and show your child how to lace the cord through the plastic canvas and then through the button. This craft easily introduces sewing to your preschooler, as well as promotes coordination and concentration. If you’re interested in expanding your sewing skills further, you might consider taking embroidery classes to learn more advanced techniques and create even more intricate projects.
Fun AND learning…what more could you ask for?!
Paper Plate Weaving
If you have kids that are little bit older (9-12) whom you would also like to introduce to sewing in a fun and accessible way – try this Paper Plate Weaving craft!
No need for fabric or a real sewing needle, this craft calls for two paper plates (glued together), a few skeins of yarn (different colors if you like) and a plastic needle. Cut notches into the edge of the paper plate, about every ½ inch.
Then loop the yarn around the plate, anchoring the yarn in each of the notches, until each notch has a piece of yarn through it creating a “web.”
Tie the end piece to the back of the plate. Then have your child thread the plastic needle with a piece of yarn of their choice and tie the end of the yard to the middle of the “web” and start weaving!
If they want to switch the color of the yarn, just tie a new piece to the end of the current piece and keep weaving!
When your child has finished weaving, they can snip the ends of the “web” and tie them together in pairs to make sure it doesn’t unravel.
Congratulate your child on their awesome job and see how quickly they get hooked on sewing!
Felt Shape Mobile
Your teens can join in on the sewing fun with this hand-sewn craft that they can display…or gift to their friends!
For the felt shapes, let your teen be creative…hearts, stars, emojis etc. The supplies you’ll need for this craft are: felt in 5 different colors (approximately 10×20 cm large), scissors, water soluble pen or chalk, embroidery thread in black and various colors, embroidery needle, bakers twine, and paper straw.
Cut out a paper template of your shape, fold a piece of felt in half and pin the paper template on it.
Cut out the shape, so you have two shapes – continue to do so with the rest of the colors. Your teen can embellish the shape (with embroidery thread/sequins/beads etc) and then use a contrasting color of embroidery thread to stitch the shape together.
Leave a little gap open to stuff the shape with toy stuffing and then finish stitching close. Your teen can personalize their creation with custom woven labels, which would make them extra special if they are given as a gift or exchanged with a friend!
Thread a needle with the bakers twine, then thread it through the top of the shape, trip one end short (tie a bow if you like), then thread the long end through the straw and double knot it to secure it.
Attach the rest of the shapes in a similar manner, hanging them at different lengths. And it’s done – your teen can admire their handy work!
Easy to Sew Reversible Apron
Spring time means a fresh start and trying new things! Your teens or more advanced young sewers can make this simple reversible apron – and then experiment with a new recipe….
For the apron you will need 2 yards of fabric (1 yard of each color), coordinating thread, pins, scissors, sewing machine and an iron. If you have a pattern – use that – if not, use an old apron to create your own pattern.
Once you have your pattern cut, lay one of your pieces of fabric (folded in half, fold side to the edge of the pattern) and cut it out. Repeat with the second piece of fabric. Use the scraps of fabric to make the waist ties and the neck strap.
Fold the scraps of fabric and half and iron. Sew the straps along the long side and short side and iron again.
Then place your two pieces of fabric together, good side facing in – then pin them together – then pin the straps in place.
Sew around the edges, except for one, and flip inside out and finish sewing. Iron and you’re done! Now your young sewer can wear their creation to make a delicious cast iron skillet dessert the whole family will enjoy!
No matter the time of year, working together on a creative project is a wonderful time to spend with your children. Enjoy the skills that are learned, the projects that are made, and most of all enjoy the time spent together!
