The Best Way to Teach Kids How to Sew

We know that kids learn best when they are having fun. It’s no different when you want to teach kids how to sew. Obviously, we must take into consideration the age of a child.  For example, it could prove very difficult to teach a four-year-old.  However, it would normally be much easier with an eight-year old.

How to Start 

In addition, we must think of what the final goal is.  Do we want the child to be able to make a shirt or a dress?  That would probably not be reasonable with an eight-year-old.  However, teaching that same child the parts of a sewing machine and the basics of operating it and how to do that safely are reasonable.  For example, a child can learn to thread the needle and sew a straight stitch.  

Choosing a Project

Indeed, there are many sewing projects a child can accomplish with a simple straight stitch.  For example, think of a pillow case or a cover for a doll’s bed.  Allow the child to choose the project.  In this way, he or she will be more interested in actually finishing it.

Making It Fun

Most importantly though, we must make it fun for the child.  We should allow him or her to choose the fabrics and designs.  Allow their creativity to flow.  Realise that he or she will make mistakes, so we must not be critical.  In addition, we must realise that a child’s attention span can be short and he or she will need to rest a bit.  They could take a break and go out to play.  Additionally, they would probably love a snack.  Finally, we must recognise when the child begins to lose interest, and therefore should keep the lessons short.

In conclusion, following these tips will keep the child interested and happy.  This will result in the child having great pride in the finished project.

Quilting Daily has a great article on how to teach kids how to sew.  

Wendi from Shiny Happy World also has several excellent posts on teaching kids how to sew, along with a fun free pattern.  Check out all these pages by copying and pasting them into your browser.

https://www.shinyhappyworld.com/2011/07/10-tips-for-sewing-with-kids.html

https://www.shinyhappyworld.com/2017/06/teaching-kids-to-sew.html 

https://www.shinyhappyworld.com/2012/06/sewing-camp-awesomeness.html

https://www.shinyhappyworld.com/2011/03/beanbag-toy-snakes-free-pattern.html

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