Teach basic sewing techniques to children as young as the preschool years. Hand sewing teaches fine motor skills while machine sewing skills help the child develop useful real life skills. Older individuals learn sewing skills to create their own fashions, recycle material to make quilts or for the purpose of starting a new hobby.
Pin cushions
Designed for younger individuals who wish to learn sewing, this craft teaches basic hand sewing skills and fabric bonding techniques. A square or circle of fabric is sewn using a basting or running stitch around the edges and then stuffed with cotton. The thread is then pulled gently to gather the fabric until it is closed around the cotton and drawn tightly. The ball is then glued into a bottle cap to allow the ball to sit flat on any surface. Once the glue is dried the pin cushion is ready for use.
Table Runners
Create unique and interesting table runners with squares of fabric cut from old clothing, leftover pieces of cloth or bandanas. This basic project only requires the sewing of straight lines and can be completed without any prior knowledge of machine sewing. This project is suitable for older children or adults who are learning to sew as small children may not yet be able to guide the fabric and maintain the straight lines needed. Once sewn, the seams are ironed flat on the back of the table runner and it is ready to place on a table.
Pot Holders
Using two squares of fabric the same size, a beginner learns to sew straight lines, pivot around corners and add tabs. An iron is used to press hem edges under before sewing, making the project more beginner friendly. The tab allows teaching of straight line sewing using short segments. Adding bias tape binding to the edges of the potholder enables the novice sewer to learn pinning and mitering techniques and how to pivot the machine to sew around corners. Corners of the potholder can be square or rounded, allowing for different corner techniques to be learned.
Organizer
Combining straight stitching, pivoting techniques and layering fabrics this project is a cinch for older children or adults. The novice need only be able to cut and sew a straight line to make any size organizer with pockets. The pocket is cut shorter than the organizer backing fabric. The pocket layer is placed on top of the backing fabric and pockets are sewn onto the layers. Pockets can be evenly spaced or uneven depending on the organizers purpose. The organizer is finished off with bias tape which only requires lifting the presser foot to pivot at the corners and a small fold in the tape to make a miter.