Something like sewing.

Sewing will benefit both you and your kid, and it’s very interesting so your child will enjoy it. But what are those benefits exactly? How can you teach your kid to sew? Why should you do it? Well, let’s find out.

Why teach your kid how to sew

It doesn’t take long! By the time their summer break ends, your kid can master the basics of sewing. If you split the learning process into small chunks, they’ll make fast progress by completing them one by one.

It’s much better than watching television

Instead of watching meaningless television shows, your kid can use a computer and go through some fun sewing tutorials. You can find children friendly instructional sewing videos online easily, they just have to choose which style suits them best. They are simplified and focus on completing projects step by step.

It will make them stand out among their friends

Kids know how to value a good, useful skill. When your child makes a couple of items by sewing and shows them to their friends, they will become the cool person in their group. This might even make other kids want to learn how to sew, and yours could become their tutor.

It will keep them away from the summer heat

Summers are getting hotter and hotter, so staying out on the sun in the middle of the day can be dangerous. Just like reading, sewing can keep them occupied inside of the house until the heat passes. No more sunburns and heat strokes for your child.

How can you teach your kid to sew?

Keep their age in mind when giving them tasks

Younger children aren’t as skilled with their hands like the older ones are. Which means that they can’t do the same projects equally well. You should have your kid do very simple kind of sewing work first. Measuring and cutting the fabric, as well as threading the needle are ideal introductory tasks. As your kid improves, you can give them some more complex assignments.

Find some sewing books for children

These books are made so that they explain sewing in a fun way. Your kid can read them on their own or you can read them together. Some of these books are made to look like big picture books, which means they’re suitable for young children. Others are more adequate for older kids, so find one that’s the most appropriate for your little one.

Let them create something they will use

If your kid makes something they can use, their desire to sew will become even greater. You can teach children how to sew clothes for their dolls. Or you can show them how to make their own, unique plush toys. Room decorations with motifs of their favorite characters are also welcomed as projects. Whichever one you go with, just make sure that your kid is having fun while working on it.

Did you find this article useful? I hope you did, and I hope you’ll teach your kid how to sew very soon.

Helen is a lifelong seamstress, crafter and blogger at Hellosewing.com. She started crafting at a young age. Today, she spends a lot of time dreaming up and working on projects for her family’s home. She loves combining traditional crafting techniques with a more modern aesthetic.

The post Teach Your Kids to Sew and Spend More Time Together Crafting! first appeared on True Aim.

It was amazing how much her writing improved after doing some of these each week. They make great busy bag activities and help children learn to sew too.

Easy Beginner Sewing Activities

The first activity you may have already seen. It’s a fun twist on threading that you can change all the time or whenever your child gets a card. Instead of throwing birthday or other holiday cards away hole punch them around the edges. Then get shoelaces and make your own lacing cards. Show your children how to do it the right way but don’t worry if they don’t do it perfect. It’s all about getting them to do fine movements with their fingers.

The next activity uses an embroidery screen. Cut your embroidery screen so it’s easier to manage. It comes in a large sheet so you will want to cut it in half then you can draw simple shapes with a black sharpie marker.

Show  your children how to go in and out of the holes in the screen and trace the shapes so that thread will look like you’re Drawing.  Include blank embroidery screens to let your children sew freely through the holes and make their own designs.

Finally making a felt threading activity is a great way to incorporate a theme and  it is easier for unexperienced hands.  I call this Flower garden threading! You have to name something as cool as this, right?!

My daughter was so excited to get to do this activity. I used ribbon and fastened a button to each end.  I cut slits in the felt flowers, leaves, and a sheet of green felt to weave the ribbon through.

As my daughter weaved the ribbon through the sheet, she added the leaves and the flowers where she wanted them to go. The result is a pretty flowered felt garden!

If you have some more advanced beginner sewers, you can try this simple sewing project with them!

What kind of sewing activities do your children enjoy? Leave a comment below!

Have a Preschooler? Check out our Christian Preschool Curriculum!

The post 3 Simple Preschool Sewing Activities first appeared on True Aim.

It’s lasted 7 years now and is coveted between all my children.  This isn’t just any hooded towel, oh no.  This thing is full sized and super absorbent.  Unlike all the other baby ones that are just that, baby sized, this towel will fit my children well into their teens.  I wanted to make more for my growing family so I finally asked her how she made it.

I was thinking she would have to write down directions or come over and show me, but this thing is so easy.  There is just a little Origami type fold, a straight stitch with the sewing machine and you’re done.  It only took me 15 minutes and I haven’t touched my sewing machine for years.

How to Make a DIY Hooded Towel in less than 15 Minutes

To make your towel you’ll need:

• 1 full sized towel
• 1 matching hand towel
• scissors
• sewing pins
• sewing machine with a heavy needle size 16+
• thread that matches the colors of your towel

First, cut your hand towel in half.  Fold it in half again with the back of the towel on the inside.  With the open side closest to you, fold the top corners to the bottom making sure the edges line up.

Now you’ll have a triangle with a flat top.  Turn the towel over and lift the front layer and you can see you now have a hood to attach to your towel.

Pin the bottom layers together so your hood stays together on it’s own making it easier to pin to your big towel.

Fold your full sized towel in half to find the center and mark one side with a pin.  Open it up and match up the center of the pinned side of your hood with the center of your towel.  The outside of your towel should be touching the outside of your hood.

You’ll pin the seam together so that it is on the inside of your towel and no stitching can be seen when the hood is being worn.  I used bright purple thread so you could see where I sewed, but I like the decorative look too.

With a honeycomb stitch, I sewed straight across.  You can choose any strong stitch like a zigzag, or over edge stitch.  You can also sew extra stitching along the edge of the hood where the most fabric is to secure it even more.

That’s it!  Now you have an awesome towel that is perfect for any summer water activity and makes a great gift.  We brought ours to the local splash pad and had a blast.

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Thanks for reading!

The post 15 Minute DIY Hooded Towels first appeared on True Aim.