Tips for Teaching Sewing for Kids
Getting your family to understand your passion is one of the most satisfying things in life. For crafty parents, particularly those that enjoy working with fabrics, it may be beneficial to teach children how to sew. Additionally, it can feel rewarding watching them complete their own projects.
The idea of teaching your kids how to sew may sound daunting. However, below are a few tips to make it fun and low-stress for everyone involved.
Assess Skill Level
The age at which children learn how to sew can play a significant role in developing their skills. Here is a basic timeline that shows the various steps you can take to introduce sewing to kids.
Ages 2-4
Threading large beads and lacing cards
Threading large beads and lacing cards
Ages 5-7
Embroidery, cross stitch, sewing with felt, and basic stitches
Embroidery, cross stitch, sewing with felt, and basic stitches
Ages 8 – 10
Introduce the sewing machine and beginner patterns and projects
Introduce the sewing machine and beginner patterns and projects
Each sewing student’s first lesson is important as it allows you to get a good feel for where they are at in their development. Some kids require several lessons to master the skills of sewing machines, while others only need one or two.
Introducing new concepts at an appropriate age can prevent children from becoming discouraged. The important thing is to remember that no two children are alike, so cater to each individual’s level.
Set Clear Goals and Benchmarks
One of the most important factors you can consider when teaching children how to sew is the development of patience. Building sewing skills can be very time-consuming and frustrating, so helping children break down their projects into manageable steps can help them feel more confident.
Have them complete projects in a specific time frame. This makes them feel good about their accomplishment and encourages them to continue working on their projects.
Practice Practice Practice
Getting good at sewing requires practice, which can take many hours.
For children struggling with a particular technique, try giving them several projects that involve the task they’re struggling with until they are comfortable. You can also record their progress by taking a photo of their work and returning it to them a year later.
Remember Mistakes Happen
The saying “Measure Twice, Cut Once” is a well-known phrase in the sewing world, and it’s good advice since mistakes are inevitable. The seam ripper was invented due to this fact.
While teaching children how to sew, it’s also important to teach them how to accept their mistakes. Even skilled seamstresses make them occasionally.
It’s also a good idea to give children a chance to solve their own sewing problems. They can learn from their mistakes and come up with a better solutions. Although they may have to start over once they make a mistake, this is a part of the process.
Originally published on Miriam Mades website.
