I started buying How To sewing books as soon as I knew I was pregnant with Ella. It’s not only because I failed miserably at teaching Peter to sew when he was younger, oh no, it was simply an excuse to indulge my obsession with and addiction to craft books.
One such purchase from a couple of years ago has become the Very Best Sewing Book for Kids Ever, in my household at least:”Sewing School: 21 Sewing Projects Kids Will Love to Make”
I loved it so much I even reviewed it on Amazon (something I admittedly rarely take time to do, despite wishing I had more reviews of my book!)
As you can see, I let Ella have free reign over my stash. In this case, she chose a yard of the out-of-print Mendocino by Heather Ross to make herself a skirt. I helped with the hem, but I only had to rethread her machine once. (Ella has a habit on starting the sewing with the presser foot up, so we practice the Mantra: Down, then Sew on our way to the machine from the pressing board or pattern cutting area. The skirt took us the greater part of an afternoon this summer. That reminds me: Must Make Time For Sewing With Kids
She was (and is) so proud of her seahorse skirt! I made a scrappy flower to tack onto a top so she would have an “outfit.”
Do you let your kids into your fabric stash, or do you tightly control their access for projects? Did you start them with hand sewing? When did they start on the machine? Does the thought of a little one near a sewing machine scare you to death?
I’d love to know!
Your comments were broken, but I’ve hopefully fixed them! Gorgeous photos!!
What a great idea! I need to get that book. My oldest son’s first project was a pillow. He has now worn it down into a little square of cloth, but he loves it more than anything. Isn’t it sweet how proud they are of creating something themselves?? Your daughter looks so sweet in her skirt. And I completely approve of her fabric choice.
Thanks, Caila. I’ll have to post a photo of the unicorn stuffie she made as well. We used the crayon/iron into cotton/technique for the stuffie project for library bags for my students.
My mom got a kid toy machine for my 5yo but it really doesn’t work. We still made a nook for her in my sewing room for her own little table, machine, and work in progress. I tend to give her full access to the quilting cottons I have unless they’re for a client. She likes make what she calls pockets. She sews them by hand and is super proud of them. She sewed a hat for her 4yo brother a couple of weeks ago.