Teach Your Kids to Sew! My best tips for sewing with kids

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Happy Sewing!
Love, Nikki

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Chapters:

0:00 Intro
1:49 Tip 1
4:35 Tip 2
7:59 Tip 3
11:06 Tip 4
12:05 Tip 5

[cynthiabeamon]

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 ❤

[janetpingrey]

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.

[lauriepayseur]

I love your outlook on the kids getting to be the creators they were born to be! And yes your daughter does a great job!

[Noreenlee]

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.

[TodayinJensSewingRoom]

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!

[doggal-rezt]

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

[Marialla.]

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!

[carlaatkins]

Great Tips. I taught Family and Consumer Science. The Sewing component was the most fun. The beginning project was aprons for the foods classes. 🎶💐💖

[debbiewood]

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.

[MrChipathenIsMyDoggo]

Oh yay! My 8 year old just asked me to teach her the other day and I was like 😳😳 no idea where to start! Haha!

[YasuTaniina]

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.

[jtpcwife]

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

[kendrageiger]

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! :)

[traciwalker]

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!

[conniekline]

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!

[atroutt]

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!!

[theresaperry]

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!

[karenherndon]

Love this! Thank you for this! I have a child in mind I’ve been thinking of teaching, and this is a HUGE help!

[genawalter]

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. 😊

[rachelburgener]

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!!!
🥰✝️🙏🏻❤️😀