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.

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When I was little, my aunt gave me a dress that my mother had sewn for her. It was 3 sizes too big for me, but that didn’t stop me from wearing it every time I played dress up. I was amazed that my mom could sew so well. That’s what got me interested in sewing.

My mother taught me a few things, but she mostly gave me the materials and let me experiment on my own. While I’m not the best at it, I have basic skills that give me the confidence I need to create whatever I want with a little help from patterns and a sewing machine.

My daughter started getting interested when her aunt gave her a beautiful sewing basket stocked full of supplies. Now she is excited about everything to do with a needle and thread.

Gifts for Beginning Sewers

In addition to sewing, weaving, crocheting, and knitting all help develop fine motor skills and can be taught at a very young age. I’ve seen children as young as 4 years old knit better than I can and many girls can crochet even earlier. Here are some of my favorite products and resources for beginning sewers!

Sewing Baskets and Bags

1. Simple Sewing Basket – Beginning sewers do a lot of hand sewing projects, so having a sewing basket helps keep all of them organized. All the needles, thread and current projects can be kept in the basket so your little sewer always know where everything is and goes. The one my daughter has was her great grandmothers! So this is a great gift because it will last a long time.

2. Fold Up Yarn Caddy – These are great for all those yarn projects, crocheting or knitting. We have one just like this, but got it from great grandma too. It has definitely gotten a lot of use out of it.

3. Pouch Pattern – Children can make their own bag to carry their knitting and sewing supplies. Bags are very simple to make, although you might have to help with the handles on this bag. 4. Travel Sewing Kit – This little home sewing kit is perfect for all hand sewing projects. It even comes with a free eBook. Perfect for keeping everything together so your children don’t loose needles and get string tangled up.

5. My Sewing Kit – For a younger child, this set has lots of bright colored thread, buttons, and embellishments. It includes 4 projects to sew and all the basic sewing essentials. I especially like the pin holder and needle threader.

6. Singer Beginners Sewing Kit – If you notice, the scissors in this kit are pretty large for a young child, but they cut very well. The kit includes a tomato pin cushion, tape measure, needle threader, marking pencils, sewing gauge, seam ripper, thimble, 8-inch bent trimmer scissors, polyester thread, hand needles and straight pins.   7. Quick Knit Loom – My daughter just got this for her 7th birthday and we love it. If your child has been frustrated by crocheting before, you could try this. It is much easier for young children to maneuver the yarn on a loom like this. Plus, the hats you can make are really fun!

8. Pegloom – I love this brand of looms because of the quality. This loom is a natural wood for making intricate tapestry designs. Definitely for an older child that is really into weaving as it takes a while to finish one project.

9. Potholder Loom – This is my favorite potholder loom because it is sturdier than most and I like the colors of the loops it comes with. This was the first loom that I got for my daughter and is a great tool to teach the concept of weaving. The potholders that it makes are amazing for scrubbing dishes without scratching and last a long time.

10. Multi Craft Weaving Loom – A large loom is great for all ages. I love the fact that you can use all sorts of materials to weave in this larger loom. For toddlers you can set up the vertical strings and allow them to put large ribbon and pieces of fabric through it. 11. Knitting Doll – This cute little vintage knitting doll is perfect for little hands. If you want to teach your child how to knit, I would start with something like this and then progress to regular knitting.

12. Finger Crochet Kit – I’ve always wanted to learn how to do this and be able to make something with just string. Sometimes children don’t have the fine motor skills to use a tool like needles or hooks, but they might be able to crochet with their fingers.

13. Bamboo Crochet Hooks – These hooks feel really good in your hands and are very light so your children won’t get tired as quickly. 14. Home and Heart Cross Stitch – When I was young, this was one of the first big projects I did. There is a one simple stitch and pattern to follow, but the designs can be really intricate so the finished product is very rewarding.

15. 3-Pack Embroidery Sampler – Teach your little sewers that they can make pictures with their thread. Embroidering these simple stamped projects make great gifts for the grandparents.

16. Needlepoint Beginner Project – This technique is similar to embroidery and cross stitching, but it is usually done on mesh canvas or plastic. The image is clearly printed and you just follow the guided colors. 17. Plastic Knitting Needles – Needles are a little scary when you first teach your children how to sew. I like to use these plastic ones with embroidery thread and burlap, felt, old screens, or plastic mesh.

18. Sew Cool Threadless Sewing Studio – How does a threadless sewing machine work? If you are worried about your children stabbing their fingers with a real sewing machine, they can get some practice on this little studio first. It has a protective guard so your children can’t be poked. It works by weaving the thread of felt fabric together.

19. Felt Scraps – I always have felt around for my kids to explore with the plastic needles and thread. When they get a little older, then I move to the regular needle. Plus, you can use this in the Sew Cool machine instead of buying the refill packs. It is much cheaper. 20. How to Crochet – A free eBook packed with tons of crochet patterns from easy to more difficult. Love this!

21. Sewing School – 21 projects that will help children master the basics of sewing. Such cute things to make in this book.

22. Kids Knit – More easy projects and a guide to help you teach your children to knit. What are your favorite things to buy for little sewers? Please let a comment and then visit these other fabulous gift guides!

Follow Erica • What Do We Do All Day?’s board Gift Guides for Kids on Pinterest.

The post Top Gifts for Little Sewers first appeared on True Aim.

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group and Kleenex but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #KleenexTarget  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO”

It’s happened to everyone…  “Kids, get your coats on.  It’s time to go to the park!”  The excitement has everyone hurrying out the door, including you.

Arriving at the park at lightning speed, you let out a sigh of relief as the children expend their cooped up energy.  It’s going to be a great day until… someone lets out a ferocious sneeze.  You grimace and turn your head to look, hoping it wasn’t as bad as it sounded.

But it is.

So, you frantically search your pockets for tissues, then the car, but you’re out of luck.  Finally, you give in and do the unthinkable; let your child wipe their nose with the inside of their shirt.

This doesn’t have to happen.  My mom always had a box of Kleenex in the car.  I try to do the same, but sometimes the car is a long ways away and I need a tissue fast.  That’s why I’ve made these cute felt pocket tissue holders to hide in everyone’s coat pockets.

These things are so easy to make that your kids can do it!  It took my daughter and I only 30 minutes to make all of these.  If you left the button off, it would be even faster.

DIY Pocket Tissue Holder

I first saw this tutorial on Pinterest, but there weren’t any step by step directions so here is what I did.

Materials:

Sheets of Felt, Embroidery Thread (or regular thread doubled up), Scissors, Sewing Needle, Sewing Pins, Buttons (optional), Pinking Sheers (optional),  Kleenex Tissues (coupon)

Directions:

Start with a sheet of felt and cut it into a 6″x7″ rectangle.

Fold the short ends into the middle and pin.  Your tissue holder should now be about 6″x3″.

Sew a running stitch along the edge leaving at least 1/3″ if you want to finish the sides with pinking sheers.  I drew little dots with a sharpie to help us sew in a straight line.  The first stitch should be started from the inside out so that the loose string is on the inside.

This project is perfect for beginning sewers.  Audrey has little experience, but she did well with this and loved it!

When you are finished sewing, the last stitch should go from the outside in, so there isn’t a loose string.

Turn the holder inside out in the corner to tie a knot at the end of the string.  I helped my daughter with this part.

Here’s Audrey’s finished pocket tissue holder that only took her about 7 minutes to make!  Add a button for decoration if you like, and trim the edges with pinking sheers.

Now you’re ready to stuff it with Kleenex.  But first, grab this Kleenex Coupon from Target for $1 off 4 packs or larger!  I always get the kind with lotion so our noses don’t get red and chapped.  Then, open the side of the box and fold the Kleenex up to put them into your tissue holders.

Now, hide these little cuties in everyone’s jacket and you’ll always have Kleenex on hand when you need it most.

These also work great for gifts your kids can make!  My daughter made the U of O colored one for a friend who is a big Duck fan.

How do you remember to bring Kleenex when you go out?  Have a clever way to hide them in the car?  Please leave a comment?

For more projects and crafts you can do with your kids, like me on facebook or follow me on Pinterest.  Thanks for your support!

The post DIY Felt Pocket Kleenex Tissue Holders first appeared on True Aim.