Learning to Sew for Kids

Sewing is a life skill that can be learned at an early age.

Learning to sew is a lifelong skill that children can be taught at an early age. A young person who is learning to sew should learn with emphasis on the basics and the fundamentals of sewing. Sewing is a skill that is learned from hands-on experience. It is okay to make mistakes when sewing, as most beginners will--especially children. Sewing can develop into a hobby or even a passion if the proper skills and techniques are learned at a young age.

Things You'll Need

• Needle
• Thread
• Fabric

Instructions

1. Practice threading the needle. Threading the needle is the most basic function involved with sewing and should be the first skill learned by all beginners. To practice threading the needle, the beginner should hold the needle in his right hand perpendicular to the ground. In the left hand he should be holding the end of the thread. Ask the child to lick the thread to make sure that it is rigid and will fit nicely through the eye of the needle. Have him feed the thread through the eye. Once the thread is through the needle you can take the thread out and keep practicing.

2. Practice sewing straight lines in a piece of fabric by hand. With a piece of old fabric, take a pencil and draw a straight line on it. Now have the child push the needle up through the bottom of the fabric and right through the pencil line. The thread should be pulled tight. The child should then push the needle down through the fabric along the pencil line and pull the thread tight. Repeat this process until you are at the end of the line. Try to keep each stitch small, but more importantly, keep them the same size throughout.

3. Take on a small project such as creating a teddy bear. Cut out two identical pieces of fabric in the shape of a bear and give them to the child who is learning to sew. Have the child stitch along the outer edges of the two pieces of fabric, sewing them together. When finished with the stitching the child can flip the fabric inside out and stuff it with cotton. By making something that can be enjoyed a young boy or girl who is learning to sew will stay motivated to keep practicing and be eager to try more projects.

Tips & Warnings

• Show a kid who is learning to sew how to thread a needle before letting him do it.

• Starting unsuccessfully on projects before learning the basics can discourage a kid from wanting to sew.

References

• TeachKidsHow: Teach Your Child How to Sew

Resources

• Free Craft, Quilt, & Fashion Design Patterns & Ideas For Kids to Sew