Sewing with Young Children

Before I had children, I studied for an art degree, specialising in embroidery. Although I

 don't have time to do much of my own work now, I do really enjoy sewing with my children. Here are a few tips for sewing with young children (mine are ages 6 and under)....

 

• I have found felt to be the best material for little ones to sew with, and it comes in a variety of lovely colours. We get ours from Hobbycraft for 50p a sheet.
• Use thick, single stranded embroidery thread.
• Use a thick, sharp needle. The plastic blunt ones you get for children are no good unless sewing with binca or pre cut holes. Obviously, parental supervision is needed with sharp needles!
• Cut out the shapes before hand.
• Running stitch is the easiest stitch to master first.

 



 

• Adding buttons creates a really pretty finished piece. You can pick buttons up cheaply at charity shops; we buy our from Stockport market for a few pence each.

 

 

• Adding a ribbon hoop can turn simple sewing into a decoration.

 

 

• Add wadding to pad out your embroidery when making a 3-D piece.

 

 

•  Purses are very simple to make.

 

 

• Sew in an embroidery hoop to make a special gift.

 

 

 

 Happy sewing!