Sewing as a Social Experience

Have you ever had a sewing session with a parent, friend, grandparent, cousin, or uncle? It can be a delightful way to learn something new, spend quality time with our loved ones, and gain a life skill.

Sewing is an activity that has the potential to come in handy at all ages. Adults may enjoy the hobby as an art form or as a necessary means to create clothing, mend household items, and more. Children can be taught how to sew quite early if they can focus and be mindful of the materials they’ll be using. Yes, sewing needles can be sharp, but there are more blunt options for little ones including plastic needles with less harsh tips.

Sewing as a language of expression is a social way for children to connect with others. While learning to sew, children engage, explore, and feel a sense of togetherness with the person giving the instruction and others participating in the activity.

Sewing also supports fine motor development, patience, and concentration. Children can practice the over-and-under technique associated with sewing by using repetitive movements to create lines, patterns, and images with yarn. This is a practical skill that supports meaningful, creative energy. It can also lead to more complicated functions, such as attaching a button or layering another piece of cloth to create depth or a more intricate piece.

Sewing Your Own Design

Collect these things:

• Burlap or fabric
• Large blunt sewing needles
• Variety of yarn
• Embroidery hoops
• Scissors
• Marker
  

Our friend Hallie (3) and her mom, Carly, worked together to try an open-ended sewing experience to get a feel for it without any expectations or pressure of following a certain pattern. They were kind enough to share their process with us to inspire other children (and parents) to give it a go.

Just as Carly did, invite your child to draw a picture using a marker on the fabric or burlap you’ve selected. Hallie felt hesitant at first but gained confidence after watching her mom make the first marks. More advanced ideas could be a self-portrait or a family member, flowers, a simple landscape, animals, or even abstract ideas. It is whatever you want it to be!

Once your child has drawn an image, select the yarn colors, thread the needle, and encourage them to begin stitching their design. Have fun with it and see how it comes together.

Toddlers and Twos

Toddlers and two-year-olds can learn to sew with burlap and plastic, beginner sewing needles. The large holes of burlap fabric make it easier for that age group to poke a needle through with less effort, so they can practice the over-and-under technique with a bit of extra guidance.