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You are here: Home / Crafts for Kids / Giving the Gift of Sewing to a Child

Giving the Gift of Sewing to a Child

December 11, 2012 by Jodi 9 Comments

Not content with brainwashing my own children into loving sewing, this Christmas I’ve decided reach out to my nieces, aged 7 and 9, as well. For their gift, I’ve put together a complete sewing kit. In my mind, this will make me the coolest auntie ever. I hope the girls (and their mom) agree. We shall see. The cornerstone of the gift is the book Sewing School: 21 Sewing Projects Kids Will Love to Make*. I picked up this book at the recommendation of Abby Glassenberg, and from what I’ve seen, this book will be perfect for my nieces. Most sewing books are geared towards machine sewing, but this one has mostly hand sewing projects. It takes a knowledgeable adult to get a child started sewing on machine, but even non-sewist parents could help a child get started with hand sewing. Also, I like that the most of the book was addressed to the child, not to the parent. Children are the most proud of projects that they take the lead on. (Remember Gianna’s mermaiden?) Based on how my kids poured over their cousins copy, I imagine I will be purchasing another for them.

My goal was to make it as easy as possible for the girls to start doing projects from the book. We live far apart so I can’t sit down and help them. I figure if their mom doesn’t have to hunt down the supplies, they will be more likely to actually do it. Based on the books recommendations, I put together a set of sewing tools.

  • size 22 chenille needle – fat needles with large eyes, good for little hands
  • needle threader – The authors recommended the LoRan threader and I concur. It has worked great for my kids.
  • craft thread – This is a little different from embroidery floss because it doesn’t separate.
  • measuring tape
  • bodkin – for threading ribbon and elastic
  • scissors – brand new and sharp. I was tempted to write “FABRIC ONLY” all over them like I do mine. hehe.
  • pins (not pictured)
I packaged all of these up into a recycled plastic zippered pouch.
Then, I added some notions from my stash that they would need for the projects in the book.
  • poly-fill
  • ribbon
  • elastic
  • and( most importantly) BUTTONS, what sewist doesn’t enjoy a pretty button?
Finally, and this was the most fun part, I pulled fabrics from my stash that would work with the projects in the book. I bundled them up by type and labeled them. I didn’t want to assume they or their mom and dad knew the difference between fleece, felt, and cotton. 
I can hardly wait to pop this package in the mail.
What do you think? Will they like it? Did I forget anything?
 
More resources for teaching children to sew:
  •  Sewing with Kids Series on Whipstitch – Series of lessons, designed for kids ages 3-8, that teach sewing skills and good character traits.
  • Teaching Kids to Sew by ikatbag – Advice from one of the most knowledgeable and respected seamstress mama on the internet.
  • Sewing School Blog – By the authors of the book, even more sewing activities to do with kids.

 

Filed Under: Crafts for Kids Tagged With: beginner, book, buttons, child, christmas, cotton, f abric, felt, fleece, kid, kit, learning, notions, present, projects, sewing, sewing kit

Previous Post: « Christmas Bathrobes
Next Post: I Am Failing At Christmas »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Natalie says

    December 11, 2012 at 2:23 pm

    What an amazing idea. I hope this leads to a life of sewing for them.

    Reply
  2. Susan says

    December 11, 2012 at 2:35 pm

    Very nice idea!!

    Reply
  3. Charity says

    December 11, 2012 at 6:30 pm

    The only addition I can think of would be an air- or water-soluble marker. I would have loved this kit as a kid! I had one for machine sewing, but I needed help with it, so I never completed a single project from it.

    Reply
  4. Shell says

    December 12, 2012 at 12:13 am

    Brilliant, what a great idea. This reminded me of one of my favourite childhood gifts from an aunt, my plastic sewing box, hand sewing needles, tape measure etc. I was 12, already sewed, but so so impressed to have all my own “real” sewing things – not kiddy things or raiding my Mum’s. I still use the same ones today (I’m now thinking time to buy new hand sewing needles though!) Thanks for sharing the other links too 🙂

    Reply
  5. Jennifer says

    December 12, 2012 at 4:19 am

    wow what an absolutely brilliant gift idea.

    Reply
  6. Rachel at Stitched in Color says

    December 15, 2012 at 8:52 pm

    What a fabulous gift! I don’t think you forgot a thing. My daughter (8) has been sewing from that book like a crazy girl. It’s such a good one. Like you said – so great that it’s address to kids in kid language.

    did I say I love the gift?

    Reply
  7. Daphne says

    March 14, 2014 at 2:45 am

    Absolutely love your valuable hinds. In fact I love your whole website. What a lovely idea to perfect those little handles that are sometimes troublesome.

    Reply
  8. Sarah says

    December 10, 2014 at 3:50 am

    Hi! I’m wondering if this is a gender neutral book at all or is it really aimed at girls? Thank you 🙂

    Reply
    • Jodi says

      December 10, 2014 at 7:56 am

      It’s gender neutral! I just happen to only know girls that are the right age.

      Reply

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Jodi - Sewing Advocate - Mother of 7 - Lover of Swings and Deadlifts - Catholic

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