Teach your older kids (not preschoolers!) to sew for it is a useful craft that they can benefit from throughout their lifetime. They will be able to make basic repairs on their clothing without having to depend on you all the time.
Introduce them to the following hand sewing projects and let them have fun.
Handmade Stuffed Animal
For this hand sewing project you will need the following materials:
- White paper
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Pins
- ¼ yard of cotton fabric
- Needle
- Thread
- Cotton or Polyester Stuffing
- Other Optional Accessories such as Buttons, Ribbon or Felt
On the white paper draw the basic outline of your preferred stuffed animal. (You can download a specific pattern and have it printed for this project.)
Make a cut out of your paper pattern and have it pinned to the fabric. To ensure that the pattern is properly fitted, fold the fabric in half before you have the pattern pinned to the fabric’s double thickness.
Trace the paper pattern outline and cut it out to come up with two pieces of the fabric.
Put the two pieces right sides jointly before you pin them together.
Sew both pieces while you leave a two-inch gap at the bottom.
Turn the sewn fabric right side out. You can then fill it with stuffing to the desired fullness.
Sew the gap completely shut.
You can add the optional accessories to decorate the stuffed animal.
Pet Bed
If you have a pet dog, then you can let your kids make a pet bed project.
From a fabric, you cut out two shapes such circles, squares or rectangles. Make sure that they should be the right size for your pet.
Place both cut pieces with the right sides together. Sew them all the way while leaving at least two inches on one specific side for stuffing purposes.
Turn the sewn fabric right side out. Stuff it adequately before you stitch it shut.
The other useful hand sewing projects that you can let your kids make are pillowcases, place mats, curtains, tablecloth, tank tops, tube tops and tee shirts.
Your sons will then be equipped with basic repair skills where sewing is concerned, while your daughters will have a boost of pride and self-confidence in being able to sew well.
With hand sewing projects, you teach your kids a lifetime of usefulness from a very simple craft.