Most seasoned sewers share the memory of their first shaky, uneven, hand-stitches; though imperfect, they were the beginning of a lifelong love of the craft. Whether taught by mother, grandmother, or all on your own, those fond memories of the pride we took in early projects speak to just how impactful sewing can be for children.

Sewing is an ideal hobby for children to pick up -- it’s both fun and functional, and the basics are easy for even younger kids to learn. Your own experience and the most basic elements of your sewing basket are all you’ll need to teach them, and it’s the perfect project to dive into on a rainy day.

How Sewing Benefits Kids

Learning sewing doesn’t just impart children with a valuable new life skill, it also packs cognitive, emotional, and even physical benefits worth noting. 

• Sewing is linked to math use and critical thought: When your kiddo’s knowledge of sewing gets a little more advanced, there’s a good chance they’ll want to start using patterns to try to work on more serious projects; all that measuring and cutting is flexing their math muscles. When they get inspired and decide to plan out a project of their own, they’ll use their logic, planning, and critical thinking skills to do so, all of which are pertinent to cognitive growth.

• Sewing is a mindful hobby: Using mindfulness to process and release big emotions in a healthy way is a valuable coping tool for children. As experienced seamstress and mama Natalie Grant of The Crafty Needle notes, “Sewing occupies the hands and eyes without overwhelming the mind, so it’s an ideal hobby for encouraging the use of mindfulness.”

Sewing uses small motor skills and hand-eye coordination: Activities that require small, precise movements of the hands, like sewing, are great for boosting both small motor skills and hand-eye coordination. This is especially valuable for younger kids, who are still mastering these abilities, but it can bolster them at any age.

Teaching Kids to Sew: The Dos and Don'ts

DON’T

• Force them if they’re not ready or feeling frustrated; just put the project down and come back later

• Start with something highly complex, as it won’t be fun for a newcomer

• Be overly critical of small mistakes; just let them practice and improve, offering gentle guidance along the way.

DO

• Be patient, as they are beginners even though you are not

• Use the correct supplies for your project, and try to choose kid-friendly needles, scissors, etc

• Rely on visual aid in the form of tutorial videos, a format many of today’s kids find comfortable and easy to learn from

Fun for First Timers: Felt Satchel Project

On the hunt for an easy, inexpensive project for a first time sewer? This little felt satchel is easy to put together and teaches basic sewing skills.

SUPPLIES NEEDED

• Felt (one or two shades)

• Embroidery floss

• Sewing thread

• Scissors

• Fabric marker

• Small round plate

• Straight pins (4) 

• Needles (1 standard, 1 embroidery)

• Button

Pick your fabric

We recommend craft felt for this project -- it’s economical, plus easy to cut and sew. If only one or two children will be making the project, just buy felt squares, but consider buying a few yards if leading a group project. 

Each bag requires a 9” x 12” piece of felt, meaning that a yard will make 12 bags. If using a yard, pre-cut the yard into squares of this dimension.

Prep fabric to sew

Pick up one short end of the square and fold it up toward the other short end, stopping about an inch short. Secure the fabric edges with straight pins, leaving a hem of about ¾”.

Place the small, round plate over the felt bag as indicated, with corners left exposed. Using shears or scissors, trim the corners to round them off.

Sew it up

Aid children in threading the embroidery needle with floss by passing the floss through the eye of the needle -- depending on the size, the floss may need to be separated into two strands. Create a knot to secure the thread, then pass between the inner bottom corner of the left side to conceal the knot.

Sew ⅛” running stitch up the side, ending at the flap, and tie off the thread. Repeat to secure, then trim.

Complete the other side of the bag following the same instructions.

Buttoning up

Choose a place for a buttonhole in the center of the flap. Use a fabric marker to indicate, and scissors to make a small cut.

Make a small mark through the slit with the fabric marker to indicate where the button should be shown, and then use a standard needle and thread to attach the button.

Adding accents

Extra colors of felt can easily be added to create cute accents like the ones pictured, which can be sewn on with a regular needle and thread. To top it off, a ribbon, cord, or piece of braided embroidery thread can make a great shoulder strap for this little purse; boys might prefer a belt loop, which can easily be added with another small piece of felt and button.

Guest Blogger Natalie Grant

Natalie is an up-and-coming needle ninja and blogger! She creates sewing, embroidery, and quilting content along with her "gran" and bestie, Phyllis. What Natalie lacks in experience she makes up with obsession, creativity, and flair. She has a knack for discovering the most exciting craftspeople out there, then knuckling down until she has learned their new sewing technique or embroidery style.

Give her blog a little love at: The Crafty Needle