Last year I took simple quilts to our children's class at church and had them tie them. Several were young and didn't even know how to tie, but they learned quickly and were SO excited to donate those quilts to kids in need ❤
I used to teach art, so when my great-grandchildren asked me to teach them to knit and sew (because I made them those bags and they love them) this year (ages 6 1/2, 4 1/2 ...that half makes a big difference, they are like 40 in dog years...3 and one ) the hand sewing is definitely on my list. They are all like little old ladies, so the three oldest will be fun to play with...I have art play with the youngest set up. Thanks so much for reminding me of hand sewing. I so love your videos and approach to life.
I teach two kids' classes for eight of our 19 grandkids. My sewists range from age 8 to 17.) (Since they are my grandkids, I don't charge, of course, and the classes are actually costing us money, but the endeavor is well worth the investment.) I am amazed that two of our 12-year-old grandsons get a kick out of the classes too. Our first projects was, believe it or not, paper pieced. I had a stack of MSQC paper squares, and the kids used my longer scraps and sewed them diagonally to cover the squares. Then I trimmed the squares with my rotary cutter (magic). They backed them with scrap batting, did some simple crosshatch lines (quilting), and, together, we chose the best parts to make into small, rectangular pin cushions. You're right about stuffing, that was their favorite part. Closing up the edge was a different challenge, and I just kept my mouth shut about their attempts at a whip-stitch closure. Now, they each have their own pin cushion beside their machine. (I added a couple of fabulous, but old, machines to my "collection," and they rotate through them each class. They seem to love the idea that they are able to sew on any machine.) Our current project is a simply pieced, drawstring bag.
Thank you, Nikki! This has been very encouraging, and just what I needed as I will start to teach my 7 year old granddaughter in about two weeks. I've printed out your maze, and now I have some good ideas and a direction of where and how to start. I appreciate this very much. ~ Ilka
I LOVE the idea of sewing on burlap for young kids! I have some popsicle sticks I can glue to burlap to make a frame which I think will substitute for an embroidery hoop. Plus the kids can keep their whole project and hang it up for display. Thank you so much! I'm passionate about sewing, but knowing and teaching are very different skills. I didn't know where to start, in teaching my kids how to sew. Thank you for helping me see a good way to introduce it gently and age-appropriately!
It's so so so hard to be hands off. But it makes me think of putting a crayon in the hand of my 3 year old. Now she's 32 and an animator of video games. Win!
Oops I didn’t do one of your tips. My granddaughter wanted a sewing machine for Christmas and I got her a children’s machine but it was a nice child’s machine. She stays so busy with other activities that I haven’t been able to spend time with her since Christmas. I did let her sew on notebook paper a while back that fueled the desire.
My kids could all use scissors around 2, not 5-6... My kids are 6, 4, and 3. And what I've done with them is taken those plastic yarn needles and some felt with pre punched holes, and they've all been able to sew their own little bags. I like the burlap idea too. I'll probably be doing that with them soon. Another good project for young kids is there are cards with holes punched around the edge that come with shoe laces they can push up and down. I think my mom made some for us as kids, but I bought some for my kids when I saw them at a toy store. There's also been some felt projects in some kiwi crates we've gotten. There was little baseball mits, and plushy organs, and I feel like there was another one but I can't remember.
I will add, when they are young like 2-3, sewing with not only pre punched holes, but stiffer materials are best. When my youngest was just 2, he was really great at sewing the cards with the shoe laces, but the felt I had him use was too floppy and he got frustrated. In hindsight a thicker felt at that age would have been better
I just bought your ebook and am looking forward to teaching my gkids. My eldest gdaughter is 14 and a fabulous artist. I tossed out the idea of teaching her to make a quilt and how cool she could make it. We’ll see!
I wish that I could have been more relaxed about kids' creative messes. I am very encouraging but I dislike waste and mess. Thankfully my daughters are all pursuing crafts as adults like knitting, cross stitching, and even full bust adjustments in garment sewing, so it all turned out well in the end. 🙂
Nikki, this is such fantastic information👏👏👏. We were taught around 5yrs old; and I taught our now adult children🥰!! Any of the handcrafts, stitching, beading, thread work… the list goes on- We must keep it alive in the younger generations!!! 🥰✝️🙏🏻❤️😀
Train up a child in the way they are bent. One of my favorite things about watching kids grow up is seeing how they are bent and supporting them in that. I could see one of my sons was going to be involved in science. I taught him Greek and Latin in school (with a great curriculum). One daughter is just like me, I supported all of her home making style skills and now she is loving her calling to be a great mom. My other daughter is very artistic. We had a field trip to the art gallery every month for years. Now she is working at that gallery, her dream job.
@@PinCutSew My daughter started with a summer job teaching art camp at "The Centre For Creative Arts" in our small city. They liked her and when a regular part time job came open she took that. When the director of the centre saw an opening with more hours and opportunity open up at the art gallery she recommended Sarah. The lady that taught most of the classes we took was still working there and so she also recommended Sarah. Both permanent positions were reception jobs greeting and serving guests. She recently had her job expanded and is now studying curating. A big part of it was being known in the art community. I would suggest that Layla look at volunteer positions and participating at any galleries you have near by. Get to know the gallery community. Even if you move from the area you live now she could use that volunteer position to gain referrals and references in the future. Be alert to opportunities to get your toe in the door, as it were, and then the doors will open. Layla, your editing skills are fantastic. I love the stories you create in your mom's videos. I am sure those skills can open doors for you.
Off topic…. But I saw a video that you got a dog?? Not sure if that was recent….. but I want to learn how to make a doggie snuffle mat or ball. I haven’t seen any that aren’t complicated! Can you make one and show us and teach us?? I would love to make a snuffle ball I can hide his treats in for him to sniff out. He needs more exercise!! OR any toy thing that is interactive and that’s food related too? Just an idea but I would love it and if you have a dog you get to try out the prototype to see if it works. lol 😂my dog is 13lbs and not a chewer, So it could be made out of cotton and he wouldn’t rip it lmao….just an idea 💡 😊 …Thank you! Mechelle 💗
You are such an awesome mom! I’m praying that I can become a mom some day! I understand totally what you mean by “let go” and not micromanage them! I hope I can adopt this mentality ahead of time so I don’t do that to them, lol. Thanks for the insightful video
Excellent advice....I wish I had been more like the mom that let go and let my daughter have fun with sewing. Yet today, she has found her own creative niche....as a graphic designer. Sometimes all they need is encouragement to pursue THEIR dreams! :)
I taught kids to sew when my kids were young. You’re correct, having good equipment (less headache), enthusiasm for what your teaching, fun projects to accomplish, and examples are all helpful. Having space for setting that up again, would be an issue and I would have to get creative. Thank as always Nikki for a clear presentation!
Great tips for sewing with kids! My mom taught me when I was small, starting with hand sewing. I got a child’s Singer when I was 7 or 8. After I made the wrap around skirt from the pattern that came with the machine, Mom decided that I should just use her machine (Singer 401a). Shortly after, a high school neighbor set-up a sewing class in her basement and taught several of us to sew. I was about 10 and we made a blouse with a collar and cuffs and buttons up the back. Then we made a jumper with a back zipper, facings, and decorative tabs at the waist. I was so proud of that outfit.
I learned so much from this video! I tend to be a micromanager when my kids are doing projects lol. This really opened my eyes, so thank you so much. We will all benefit from this wisdom you have passed on. Just let them try, and be excited for what they do no matter the outcome because they are learning. Such a great reminder. So needed that! I love this!!
Such great tips! I would love to offer group sewing classes some day. It would be so fun and rewarding. I am curious why you stopped teaching? Was it just too much once you had your own children? Anyway, I just love all of your videos and really appreciate the inspiration and tips that you share. 😊
I stopped because my husband deployed for a year and I knew that continuing to teach would be too much while also homeschooling and solo parenting. So that’s when I turned my attention to the RU-vid channel!
I bought your How to Teach Sewing To Kids book a few months back. I've taught crochet and knitting to both kids and adults for many years now (I'm a Public Children's Librarian, although I no longer work full-time. I just get hired to do programs here and there.) This year my goal is to teach kid's sewing classes. I've been reading through your book and watching your videos and lots of others and I have gotten such wonderful ideas, specifically from you! I want to thank you so much for sharing what you've learned. I had been collecting machines with the intention of teaching on, but I love the Brother machines you mention that don't start unless the presser foot is down and speed control. Genius!!
Great words! My oldest granddaughter is 6 and has always wanted to sew. She is a lefty. She is making a quilt with Ruby Star fabrics. I loved that you talk about not controlling the outcome. She chose the fabric and the project. We are finishing it at her pace.
My daughter made her 1st quilt at 6. She finished the top, asked me to quilt and bind it for her, bc she was DONE w 1/4" seams!!! She still has it though! She loves it and is saving it for her kids. But she wouldnt sew an actual seam for 3yrs. She loves to make art quilts though!! She picks a fabric and has me baste it to battting for her, and then she goes to town w scraps, ribbons, iron on vinyls, buttons, lace.... Whatever her little heart likes that day. She makes adorable mini art quilts and thouroghly loves it!!! She is just now occasionally sewing squares together. I just let her do it at her own pace.
I’ve been sewing since I was about 12, on a machine. I’m 50 now. I’ve taught a couple of my kids to sew, I homeschool as well, and I have taught a few others here and there. I decided to teach a sewing class at our co-op in March. 6-8 kids is my max. I’m an introvert and this is going to be so outside my comfort zone..lol. I’m going to get your book and hopefully get some tips. I think I have a good instruction plan, but I’m always open to more ideas. I could use some prayer 😁
I bought your Teach Kids to Sew ebook and I was inspired to reach out to our community Makerspace to teach sewing classes. I have taught friends’ children to sew over the years, and I have really enjoyed it. Thank you for inspiring me to take the next step!
