Wish List: Toddler Sewing

For the past few years, I've gotten really into the notion of toddler sewing.  By getting the youngest children exposed to the fine motor and creative aspects of sewing, they will be ready for sharp needles and craft thread when the time comes.   Here are some gift ideas for these budding sewers!

If you have a young child in your life, give the gift of sewing!  A lacing set is a perfect beginning.  I got all excited about these beautiful wooden lacing sets.  While I have not used them personally, they appear to be just what a toddler sewing needs!  I like the wooden "needle."

If you want to go beyond the lacing set, make your own Toddler Sewing Kit.  I made this one for my son a few years ago, and it still gets used.  We have changed out some of the materials as he has grown, but he loves having his own kit!

You can also use some of the ideas from my Toddler Sewing Club to make little project kits.  They are perfect for 2-3 with parent support and can be more independent from older kids.

Toddler Sewing Club

Toddler Sewing Club

for boys and girls ages 2 & 3 and their parents

Friday, December 7, 9am

Miss Lee's at Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal School

RSVP at enroll@gslschool.org

I am super excited to be leading a Toddler Sewing Club with my fellow kindergarten teachers at my school.  If you live in Memphis and have a 2 or 3 year old, we hope that you can join us!  At this "Mommy and Me" event, we'll be making a sweet Christmas ornament.  Many of the materials are similar to what I used in Frankie's Toddler Sewing Kit.

If you aren't in Memphis, I'll be sure to report on how everything went and give tips for hosting your own Toddler Sewing Club!

You know, you're never too young to start sewing!

Toddler Sewing Kit

Frankie has a sewing kit of his very own!  He often wanders into the craft room while Phoebe and I are busy sewing, cutting, and creating and will ask to cut some fabric or play with the ribbon box. Lacing cards are OK, but that's not "real sewing."  

So, for his 4th birthday I put together a simple kit with materials and tools that I thought might give him something to do while I'm sewing as well as help him start sewing.

In his kit (a large, repurposed tin), is:
*a pair of scissor
*lots of colorful fabric
*an 8-inch hoop
*burlap for the hoop
*plastic needles
*yarn for sewing

So that the yarn wouldn't get all tangled, I pre-cut lengths of yarn, tied a knot at the end, threaded the needles and wound them around wooden spools.  Frankie liked unwinding the yarn.

I also found some good ideas for toddler sewing here.  We started out small, but I'm sure we'll adding new notions and such soon.

Such concentration cutting fabric into little bits.  You already know that sewing and cutting are wonderful fine-motor skills.  I also see in my classroom how sewing helps to focus children and allows them to slow down and really concentrate on something.  The kids that are bouncing off the walls one minute will be calm and centered as soon as they begin a project.  It's magic.

Frankie and I happily sewed and cut for about an hour - that's a long time for this little guy!  He also experienced such a sense of pride - he was really sewing - "just like you and Phoebe!"

Toddler Sewing Club: Story Necklace

Toddler Sewing Club for 2's and 3's

Tuesday, March 18, 9am

Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal School, Memphis, TN

free fun for you and your child

RSVP at enroll@gslschool.org

Can you guess what story we'll be retelling at Toddler Sewing Club??!!  I am so excited to make these cute The Very Hungry Caterpillar Story Necklaces at the next Toddler Sewing Club

 Can't join us?  No worries, I'll tell you how to make your own story necklace after the event.

Toddler Sewing Club: Sunglasses Case

Fun was had making cute sunglasses holders at Toddler Sewing Club!  Sewing with 2's & 3's, I wanted to keep with my kid sewing philosophy:  make something useful, and let kids add their own creativity to the project.

The pattern is the Eye-See-You Case from Sewing School.  Using foam sheets, the glasses cases were prepped before the kids sewed.  I cut out the pattern and punched holes around two of the cases at a time.  This way, all the holes matched up.  Next, I tied a lacing string around the top hole and added a plastic needle.

The kids loved sewing the cases.  Everyone had a parent on hand to help out, but the kids really did a great job by themselves!  Once the case was sewn, the lacing string was tied off and trimmed.

Fun was had decorating the cases with foamies and stickers.  Those foam stickers require some fine motor skills to get the backing off!  Of course, everyone got a chose a pair of star-shaped sunglasses to put into their case. 

Kids Sewing Gift Guide: Sewing Kits

For any sewer, a good sewing kit is a must!  It keeps all essential tools close by and in order.  Plus, for a kid, a personal sewing kit is an invitation to create.

I personally have not found the perfectly stocked kid's sewing kit ready to buy in any store.  Instead, I make my own by putting together all the kid tested tools and supplies recommended in Sewing School.   Look in the sidebar under "In the Child's Sewing Basket" for ideas.  You could also take a pre-made sewing kit and add a few extras.

Find a good container to store the kit in.  Tins, little boxes, and even Chinese take-out containers work well.  One of the cutest sewing boxes tutorials I've seen is by Chez Beeper Bebe.

 Have a little one?  Last year, I made a cute Toddler Sewing Kit for my 4 year old son and he still loves it!

If you don't feel like putting together all of your own supplies and live in Memphis, you can pick up one of my kits at the Brooks Museum Holiday Artist Market, Trolley Stop Market, Sew Memphis, or The Cotton Museum.  They come in a cute Chinese take out box.

Toddler Valentine Sewing

My Sewing Club co-teachers and I hosted another Toddler Sewing Club for Valentine's Day today at school.  The little "Pocket Full of Love" project turned out so, so cute!  The sewn paper heart pockets are filled with a pretty heart - just right for giving.

At this "Mommy and Me" event, we had a little over a dozen kids kids from 21 months - 4 years.  I was so pleased that the project was doable for every age level.

To begin, Katie read a sweet Valentine book and then I explained the project.  Then, we got to sewing! 

Make a Pocket Full of Love too!

Pre-cut 2 pieces of cardstock into a heart shape.  They need to match.  Paper clip the hearts together at the top and bottom and then punch holes all around the bottom portion, leaving the top of the heart open.  Leave the paper clips on the heart.  This way, it won't get messed up while sewing. (If you are doing this project with older kids, they may be able to do this part by themselves.)

Time to sew!  Tie the end of a lacing yarn (you can use a piece of yarn) onto a top hole.  We used plastic needles so they kids feel like they are really sewing.  The tipped lacing yarn is great because it fits into the needle, but doesn't come out easily - perfect for beginning sewing!  Some kids needed help going from hole to hole, but most were independent.  When finished sewing, tie off the loose end an cut off any extra yarn.

Color and decorate the heart.

The pocket is just right for slipping in a little paper heart, candy, or sweet nothing.

One mom discovered that you could use the loose end of string to make a handle!

Toddler Sewing Club: Sunglasses Case

Toddler Sewing Club for kids ages 2 & 3

Friday, April 26, 9:00am

Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal School

Memphis, TN

RSVP at enroll@gslschool.org

Join us for our final Toddler Sewing Club of the year.  At this fun Mommy and me event, we'll be stitching up a cute sunglasses case complete with a pair of star-shaped shades!

Not able to make it in person?  Don't worry - I'll give you the how-to after the club meeting.

Toddler Sewing Club: Valentines' Day!

Toddler Sewing Club

for boys and girls ages 2 & 3 and their parents

Friday, February 8, 9am

Miss Lee's at Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal School

RSVP at enroll@gslschool.org

We had so much fun during our first Toddler Sewing Club that we had to do it again.  This time, we'll be stitching up a little "Pocket Full of Love" - a sweet stitched heart filled with a tiny Valentine.

If you live in the Memphis Area and have a 2 or 3 year old, we hope that you can join us for this fun "Mommy and Me" event at GSL School.  If you are too far away, don't worry!  I'll report back and give all the details so you can make one at home too.

Silly Spider Web

I am excited to stitch up these Silly Spider Webs with a group of 2 and 3 year olds at the next Toddler Sewing and Storytime.  The little beads add color and double as "bugs" that the spider caught.  They are so easy and fun to make.

I was also thinking that they'd be a perfect craft at a Halloween party!

Materials:
Any size of embroidery hoop (I used a 7in)
burlap (we used orange)
lacing strings or yarn
plastic needles
pony beads
plastic spiders
hot glue
Halloween-themed ribbon

If you are sewing with younger children or a large group, it's best to go ahead and fill the hoop with fabric.  Once you have the fabric in there tight, just trim around the back.

Thread a ribbon with a lacing string, tie a knot a the end, and get to sewing.  Encourage the kids to sew all around, any which way.  Every so often, stop and add a pony bead "bug" or two or three to the web. When the string runs out, knot it off in the back and start again with a new string.

When the web is finished, hot glue a plastic spider to the web.  Add about 12 inches of Halloween-themed ribbon to the top for a hanger.

If you live in the Memphis area, we'd love to have you join us at Toddler Sewing and Storytime!  It's on Tuesday, October 27, 9am, at Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal School.  RSVP and info at enroll@gslschool.org.  This fun event is free for kids ages 2 and 3 and their grownups.  Costumes are optional!

Happy Halloween!

Toddler Jack-O-Hoops

What a cute lil' pumpkin head!

At Toddler Sewing Club, we made these adorable Jack-O-Hoops.  Modeled after the ones we made last year, I just changed up the materials to make them toddler-friendly.

 Materials Needed:
*Embroidery Hoop - about 8 inches (really, any size is fine, but this is what we used)
*Foam sheets (you can also purchase these individually at craft stores)
*Orange burlap
*Plastic needles
*Lacing strings (you could also use yarn here, but I like how the lacings strings make it hard to unthread the needle)
*Green ribbon for "stem"

To prep the project, put the burlap into the embroidery hoop and then trim the excess fabric around the back.  Next, cut out a bunch of fun mouth, eyes, and nose shapes from the foam pieces.  Punch at least 2 holes in each piece.  I used a standard hand hole punch and had no problems with this.  Older kids can make their own face shapes.

Before sewing on the face, I encouraged the kids to make a lot of different funny faces with the shapes. We talked about our ears, eyes, noses, mouth, and hair.  They had fun identifying the parts and making faces.  Once the perfect face was chosen, we started to sew!

 Parents helped by holding the shapes in place while the toddler did the sewing.  Older kids were more independent.  I love the look of concentration on these little sewers!

To finish it up, poke a length of ribbon (about 2 feet) through the metal fixings on the hoop and knot at the top.  A perfect stem!

Toddler Sewing: For the Birds

Toddler Sewing Club for kids ages 2 and 3

Tuesday, January 14, 9:30am

Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal School, Memphis, TN 

free fun for you and your child!

register at enroll@glschool.org 

 

At this fun parent and child event, toddlers will delight in making these cute bird feeders sewn up with love and Cheerios!  It's never to early to learn the joy of sewing for others. 

If you are unable to join us, I'll be sure to post the how-to and highlights from the event!

Toddler Sewing: Thankful Bunting

 What a super fun time we had at Toddler Sewing this week!  Wish you could have joined us. Have no fear, here's some pictures to get you going and creating some Thankful Bunting with your little crew.

Before getting started, we read a few Thanksgiving themed books and talked about all the wonderful things big and small that we are thankful for.

 The full tutorial for making Thankful Bunting is here. Materials Needed:  card stock, crayons, silk leaves, ribbon about 3/8 inch wide, plastic needle, scissors, hole puncher.  Before starting, cut your card stock to about 8inch squares.  Punch holes along the top of the card stock squares.  Next, cut 2 slits into the silk leaves so that you can thread them.

Ok, let's get crafting!

 First, draw and color the card stock with things that you are thankful for.  Many families made individual flags for each family member. Some drew handprints which was quite cute.

 Crafting together!  This was totally a parent and child activity.  I love how everyone got involved and had fun.

 After the flags are drawn, it's time to sew it all together.  Little ones do so well with plastic needles to help guide through small holes.

 Let children find the holes and then "pull, pull, pull" the ribbon through.

Thanksgiving memories being made!  This week, we had a great group filled with grandparents, uncles, babysitters, and moms.  The kids were so proud of their accomplishments and had fun learning a new skill.

Happy Thanksgiving!