This got me thinking about teaching the kids more about sewing...
At what age should we start? Hand sew or machine sew first?
Both my little ones had already done some “sewing” - they love playing with lacing boards, play buttons and threading beads. We have also played with wool and binca (the cross stitch/tapestry fabric for children).
They are currently enjoying hand stitching using wool and polystyrene pizza trays (more on that in another post).
To encourage kids to hand sew - take a look at my Stompy's Craft Simple Stitches kits (wool, felt shapes and binca kits) aged 3+.
So that's a start on hand sewing.... what about sewing machines?
My youngest (just turned 3) will sit on my lap and help me feed fabric through the machine (as long as I am doing straight stitching – nothing complicated). Although she is very young, she knows not to put her fingers near any of the moving parts (or to try to change my stitch type mid flow!!).
So that's a start, she is very keen and is learning lots just by watching.
My 5 ¾ year old is obviously a lot more able. Whilst she was poorly the other week, we decided we would make a calico door angel together. She cut out a pattern, drew and cut out the pieces of fabric. She then stitched the arms, legs, wings and inner bean bag whilst I controlled the foot pedal. I finished the main sewing of the angel as it was quite fiddly getting all the limbs tucked in whilst sewing.
Then before she could loose interest, as it was all getting “too difficult!” I designed some paper worksheets for her to practice on.
Do you let them loose on a proper sewing machine?
Sometimes children's versions of tools just do not cut the mustard. Even something simple like sewing needles, I tried some kids plastic needles but really didn't like them (perhaps the ones I bought were just too cheap and nasty!). Now we use large metal needles (Knitters Sewing Needles Size 14 -with blunt ends) and children get less frustrated.
It's pretty much the same with sewing machines.... I've looked at toy machines (and read lots of reviews on the internet), and personally I wouldn't waste my money buying a toy machine. Teach them to use a proper machine – and learn to respect it for the tool it is.
Finger safety is paramount, so show them clearly where it is safe and not safe to put fingers. Stay with them to guide and help.
Get them into good habits – we switch off the machine when we not using it – as it is easy to forget that your foot near the pedal (or that little sibling might be under the table).
Keep cables out of the way, they are great trip hazards!
So you have decided to let them loose on YOUR sewing machine – what next?
Practice on paper first...
Paper is so much cheaper than fabric
At first I set the machine up on a small kids table so that she was sitting comfortably and could easily reach the foot pedal. Her first attempt was super speedy with no control and she couldn't stop at the marked end point. But within 10 minutes and raising her heel by propping it on a book, she had control of both keeping to the stitch line and the speed she was going. That afternoon she sat and completed all the worksheets and was duly presented with a certificate at the end. One chuffed bunny!
This weekend my eldest then decided to teach her little sister (3 years old) how to use the sewing machine. Using the paper worksheets, she showed her sister where to put her hands and how to gently guide the paper through the sewing machine. The eldest then controlled the foot pedal, going nice and slowly. Great team work! I was really impressed by what they had both achieved.
Then set the sewing machine up for them...
To keep the enthusiasm going, set the machine up for them, and thread the needle. It saves lots of frustration in the long term.
Their first project...
Choose a pattern together, there are loads of great simple patterns out on the internet for bean bag toys, pillows, hair bands, bags etc
Then let them rummage in your fabric stash (but make sure you hide your favourite fabrics, as they seem to have a sixth sense for finding your most expensive stuff!). Felt or fleece is great as the raw edges don't need finishing off.
Cut the pattern out of card (cereal boxes are great) as it is easier for them to draw around. If you need to CUT 2 FABRIC PIECES you may want to cut 2 cardboard pattern pieces out to help with positioning on the fabric.
Show them how to position the pieces on the fabric. Discourage them from cutting pieces out of the middle of the fabric, this is my pet hate (which is not helped by cbeebies Mister Maker – grrrrr!!) Show them how to efficiently cut out their fabric.
Draw around the cardboard patterns leaving a seam allowance between each piece. This drawn line gives them real lines to sew along, instead of trying to sight the fabric edge against the presser foot edge.
Then draw a secondary line - the seam allowance – about 1 to 1.5 cm away from the stitch line.
Note - It is a lot easier for kids to cut just one layer of fabric at a time.
You'll probably want to do any pinning as there is no getting away from the fact that pins are sharp! And how ever old you are they still 'smart' if you prick yourself. I do the pinning, and I do not pin directly on the sewing line, this means that they don't have to worry about getting pins out of the way as the are sewing along.
Now just let them have fun.
Don't mind those clashing fabrics combinations, mismatched cottons, wobbly edges or dodgy corner, as my eldest says to me “who's sewing project is this mummy!”
What ever they make and what ever it looks like – it will fill you with pride!
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