Children often show interest in something at an early age. If your kids like to hang around when you are sewing and often acting curious about how a sewing machine work, then it’s time you teach them how to sew. Teaching kids to sew can be tricky when you don’t know how to go about it.
The reason being, kids lose concentration quite easily. However, every child is different, and getting to understand them will help you to effectively teach them to sew.
Before you jump into teaching kids to sew, here are 5 golden rules for teaching kids to sew
5 Golden Rules For Teaching Kids To Sew
1. There is no wrong stitching in sewing.
Instead, this is a rule that encourages the kids to help them keep improving. Avoid undoing the messy stitches they make. Instead, correct them on another project by guiding them through. Once they see the better result, they will be keen to do it right all through.
2. Let them sew.
Kids like owing something cool. Don’t try to help them with a project otherwise, it won’t be as exciting and they can get bored easily. Instead, let them accomplish something great and be proud of it.
3. Allow the kids to make decisions.
Giving freedom to explore new sewing ideas and designs is very important when teaching children to sew. It helps improve their creativity and being open-minded about things.
Teaching kids to sew should be about improving their confidence and decision making, being patient, and problem-solving.
They can best achieve this when you allow them to be independent in making decisions.
4. No age limit for a kid to learn how to sew.
As long as a child has shown interest in sewing, then it’s time you teach him/her how to sew.
However, teaching kids of 5-9 years is a great period because they will be at a curious age to learn new skills.
5. Give them time to practice sewing.
If teaching a group, don’t encourage competition. Everyone wins as long as they get to finish the project. Here you will need to incorporate a lot of patience.
Since the kids cannot finish large projects at a go, help them break it down so that they sew in parts each time they have a session.
How To Teach Kids To Sew
Teaching kids to sew should be simple, fun, and engaging to make sure there is maximum concentration, and that they understand the concept of sewing.
Kids get distracted fast hence it’s good if you kick start by showing them to sew instead of too much theory.
Wondering if you should teach your kids to sew on a real sewing machine or just toy machines? Well, that depends on how well you know and trust your kids in handling sharp objects.
Getting your child a real machine is important because it will help him/her grow and learn real sewing, and improve their sewing skills. That’s why it’s important to always emphasize safety precautions when handling sharp objects.
For instance, explain to them why needles and pins should not be left lying around. Ensure that after using them they place all the needles in a pincushion. Guide them on how to carefully use a pair of scissors.
Make use of sewing terminologies when teaching kids. This is important because as they get better they will be able to troubleshoot any problem without having to ask for help.
Also, it is good for creating independence and not having to ask questions every time they hear a new word.
Nothing should be overlooked when teaching kids to sew. Let them do part of the work when you are there to guide them through.
Dividing labor gives them a sense of ownership making it easy to learn and understand. When they are in control of what they are doing, it becomes easy for them to remember the next time they want to sew.
Teaching Kids to Sew on a Machine
First, start by teaching them how to peddle the machine. You can remove the needle and thread to avoid tangling when nothing is being sewn.
This helps them control the sewing speed and create even stitches. Next, make them practice foot peddling until they are flexible enough to sew.
When teaching them how to make stitches, use a piece of paper. A paper is much easier to control for straight stitches. After learning how to control the speed and foot peddle, then it’s time to try on stitching on fabric.
Also, mention that they won’t need to pull or push the fabric through the machine and that they only need to guide it on the right stitching line.
Let them know that practice makes perfect and that they should not be afraid to mess up the stitching. Make sure they learn consistently don’t rush them but be patient and let them learn slowly.
They will master the techniques and eventually sew at a much better speed. It’s also safer when they first begin at a slower pace.
Let the kids finish their projects. Do not try to finish their work because it took so long. Only help when they want you to.
You will then need to form a teaching plan and the projects you will be handling when teaching kids to sew. However, these can be changed depending on how well the kids are learning.
If a project takes a long or short time, then you can adjust the time accordingly. Just don’t try to rush their lessons as they need to feel satisfied with the experience they get on each project.
Sewing Lessons For Kids
First, ensure you are familiar with sewing and you know how to use a sewing machine. Make sure the lesson plan and projects are simple, precise, and beginner-friendly.
It’s also good that the kids learn to sew with the sewing machine they will be using at home.
This prevents them getting confused when using different models of sewing machine. In addition, it helps interact with their machine often and hence learn to sew easily.
Below are some lessons to include when teaching kids to sew
1. Familiarize them with a sewing machine and its parts, and how each function.
This will help them learn to handle the machine. The lessons include safety measures to avoid accidents like placing the finger below the needle when sewing is dangerous.
Show them how the machine moves and how they will handle themselves while sewing.
2. Teach them to thread a sewing machine.
Threading a sewing machine is a fundamental skill to have for beginners. Even though they might not do it right, having them know that a machine works when it’s threaded is crucial.
They will keep learning each time and eventually manage to do it themselves. The key is to make sure they get independent ad they advance their skills, and this includes threading their sewing machine when doing their projects.
3. Teach them how to stitch a straight line.
Show the kids how to join two fabrics using a straight line stitch. To help them get it right, draw a stitching line using chalk or a fabric marker to guide them through.
4. Sewing zigzags.
Kids like decorations. So most times they will have to add a decorative stitch to their projects. Teaching them how to do a zigzag stitch will help them in such projects.
5. Adding gathers.
When doing projects like skirts, kids should learn how to add gathers.
6. Topstitching and adding a lining.
Let the kids make projects like a pencil pouch and tote bags. Explain to them why it’s important to add a lining to their projects.
7. Adding a zip.
Teach the kids how to sew in zips. You can help them learn by making projects like simple book bags, tote, or pencil pouch.
8. Hand sewing stitches.
Kids like stuffed animals. It would be fun if they made their favorite stuffed animal. Hand sewing comes in handy when closing the ends.
Teaching kids to sew by hand will help them complete such projects. Hand sewing is also ideal for slip-stitching pocket pillowcases or hemming.
9. You can now teach the child how to cut out patterns.
The first step is to explain the importance of fabric wastage. Kids tend to cut the fabric just any place they get their hands on.
Let them understand that the pattern needs to be laid on the fabric such that there is no excess scrap.
Summing Up
Teaching kids to sew takes time and requires a lot of patience. It’s even trickier as it is time-consuming and more involving. When teaching children to sew, make sure the teaching process is fun.
Creating unforgettable memories and experiences when teaching kids to sew is key to making them actually like sewing.
Get your kids to experience satisfaction and joy when sewing by including staff they care about. For instance, if a child likes certain themes on their items, include such features in the sewing projects.
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