Lesson #3

Teaching Kids to Sew with 4 Starter Projects

Tissue HolderMake a practical, fun tissue holder to stash in a backpack or desk.

Supplies• 5”x61⁄2” rectangle of craft felt• Coordinating embroidery floss • Pinking shears• Embroidery needle• Embellishments: craft felt scraps

and buttons (optional)

Pink the rectangle perimeter. Positionthe rectangle on a flat work surface. Foldthe rectangle in half widthwise; finger-press to mark the center, and thenunfold. Fold one short edge toward thecenter line; pin. Fold the remaining shortedge toward the center line; pin (1).Hand stitch felt shapes and/or buttonsto the holder upper layer, if desired.

Thread the needle with six strands ofembroidery floss; knot the ends. Stitchthe short edges through all layers using a running stitch or backstitch. Knot the thread ends.Carefully insert folded tissues into the opening. Z

70 sewNEWS AU G U S T / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 0

TIP: Personalizethe tissue holderby embroideringa monogram orother design onthe fabric beforeconstructing.

1

IDEAL FOR AGES

7-12

[ ]

SEWP-100900-School-68-71r1:Layout 1 6/18/10 11:37 AM Page 70

Sew iT Allsewing made

simple

Sewing School ........................................................................................... 2

Project 1: Tissue Holder .......................................................................... 4

Project 2: Pencil Case .............................................................................. 5

Project 2: Travel Pillow ............................................................................ 7

Project 3: Bookmark ................................................................................ 8

Contents

68 sewNEWS AU G U S T / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 0

After School Special{ by Pixie Yates }

SEWP-100900-School-68-71:Layout 1 6/10/10 10:30 AM Page 68

2

Teaching children how to sew is extremely rewardingfor both the student and the teacher. For the students,it helps build self-esteem and independence, encour-ages creative thinking and sharpens math skills. Forthe teacher, it’s an opportunity to watch a child growand learn a practical life skill.

Share your sewing knowledge with young childrenand host a sewing bee in your neighborhood. Readon to learn how to spark a child’s interest, promotecreativity and help a child create a project he or shewill be proud to show to friends and family.

Class Is In SessionWhen working with young children, it’s important to have projects prepared ahead of time to avoid lossof interest and frustration. Learn how to successfullyprepare and run your sewing bee or class.Create a student roster. Keep the class small so thateach child receives individual attention. Memorizeeach student’s name.Cut out uncomplicated patterns using recognizableshapes, such as circles, triangles, stars or hearts. If youuse other shapes, such as cats, elephants or houses,keep them simple. Detailed patterns require nimblemotor skills when cutting and sewing, which is especially difficult for younger children. Supply paper, markers and inspiration so the children have the option of drawing their own pat-terns. Make suggestions for children who are unsure.Find inspiration from the child’s clothing, the season,decorations in your house or the child’s favoritethings. Encourage the children to think creatively. The more personalization that goes into each project,the more gratifying the experience. Have several patterns available in case the children don’t want to draw their own.Organize the class materials on two tables. Placefabrics and patterns on one table. On another table,set up the embellishments: beads, ribbon, embroidery

thread and more. Having all the options visibleencourages creativity.Thread 10 to 12 needles so the children can beginworking immediately. Beginning the lesson with handsewing is a valuable way to teach children about stitchtypes and practice and refine motor skills. Teachinghand sewing before machine sewing also gives themconfidence to progress to more challenging projects.Set up several working tables so each child hasplenty of space to cut, sew and spread out.When the students arrive, discuss ideas for the class.Small projects, such as the tissue holders on page 70,are great for beginners because they take only 30minutes to complete. Show sample projects to spark ideas. While the students are working, circle the roomoffering assistance when needed, answering questionsand giving praise for a job well done. Kids enjoy thefeeling of independence, so only lend a hand when a child asks or is clearly struggling.

Kid-Friendly FabricsHave these kid-friendly fabrics on hand for each class:Felt: Felt is a nonwoven wool fabric that’s made withpressed wool fibers. It comes in an array of colorsand it doesn’t ravel, making it perfect for kids’ proj-ects. Finish the edges using pinking or scallop shearsfor a decorative touch. Or leave the edges raw.Denim: Denim is a sturdy cotton fabric that’s avail-able in many colors, ranging from light blue to black.Recycle old jeans or purchase denim yardage at afabric store.Cotton Fabric: Cotton is perfect for just about anykids’ project because it’s available in many colors andprints. Children like to work with colored camou-flage, bright solids or fun patterns. Fleece: Fleece is a soft synthetic fabric that’s madefrom recycled bottles. It’s easy to care for and doesn’t ravel.

S E W N E W S. C O M 69

SEWP-100900-School-68-71r1:Layout 1 6/15/10 12:04 PM Page 69

4

3

Tissue HolderMake a practical, fun tissue holder to stash in a backpack or desk.

Supplies• 5”x61⁄2” rectangle of craft felt• Coordinating embroidery floss • Pinking shears• Embroidery needle• Embellishments: craft felt scraps

and buttons (optional)

Pink the rectangle perimeter. Positionthe rectangle on a flat work surface. Foldthe rectangle in half widthwise; finger-press to mark the center, and thenunfold. Fold one short edge toward thecenter line; pin. Fold the remaining shortedge toward the center line; pin (1).Hand stitch felt shapes and/or buttonsto the holder upper layer, if desired.

Thread the needle with six strands ofembroidery floss; knot the ends. Stitchthe short edges through all layers using a running stitch or backstitch. Knot the thread ends.Carefully insert folded tissues into the opening. Z

70 sewNEWS AU G U S T / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 0

TIP: Personalizethe tissue holderby embroideringa monogram orother design onthe fabric beforeconstructing.

1

IDEAL FOR AGES

7-12

[ ]

SEWP-100900-School-68-71r1:Layout 1 6/18/10 11:37 AM Page 70

4

MATERIALS+ 8˝x12˝ rectangle each of exte-

rior fabric, lining & fusible interfacing (See “Sources.”)

+ 14˝-long zipper

+ Thread: bobbin, embroidery & matching all-purpose

+ Lightweight tear-away stabilizer

+ Removable fabric marker

+ Point turner or chopstick

+ Temporary spray adhesive

+ Rotary cutting system (optional)

+ Embroidery design (approximately 2˝x71⁄2˝)

ConSTRuCT• Onaflatworksurface,placetheex-teriorrectanglerightsideup.Positionthezipperrightsidedown,aligningthezipper-tapeedgewithonerectangleshortedge.Placetheliningrectanglewrongsideupovertheexteriorrect-angle,sandwichingthezipper(E).Pin,andthenstitchtheshortedgeusingazipperfootand1⁄4”seamallowance.

• Turnthefabricsrightsideout;press,andthentopstitch1⁄8”fromthezipperseam(F).

E F

Pencil CaseBy Stacy Schlyer

Makeaversatilebagthat’sgreatforcarryingcosmeticsandtoiletries.

Embellish the case with machine embroidery before constructing, if desired.

5

• Repeattostitchtheoppositezippertapetotheremainingexteriorandliningshortedges(G).

• Turnthebagrightsideout,centeringthezipperandaligningtheexteriorandliningrawedges.Orientthezip-perstopatthelower-edgecenter;pressflat.

• Measure11⁄4”upfromthebagloweredgeand1”fromonefoldededgeateachcorner;mark.Cutawayeachrectangle(H).

• Unzipthezipperhalfway.Turnthebagwrongsideout.Stitchacrosseachshortedge,andthentrimoftheexcesszippertape(I).Serge-orzigzag-finishtheseams.

• Toboxthelower-bagcorners,aligntheseamwithonebag-sidefoldline.Stitchacrosstherawedge (J).Serge-orzigzag-finishtheseam.Repeattostitchtheremainingcorners.

• Turnthebagrightsideout.Usingapointturnerordullchopstickend,pokeoutthecorners;press.

DeSignSApple:embroideryLibrary,BacktoSchoolApple(medium):emblibrary.com

PencilCase:embroidery.com,Crayonpencilrulereraserborder(AiMBS23):embroidery.com

SOURCeSCoats&Clarkprovidedthepolkadotzipper:makeitcoats.com.

Dritzprovidedthegrommets:dritz.com.

RobertKaufmanprovidedtheManchester,eveningbyDarleneZimmermanfromBettyDear2andtheWhitefabricbyCarolynFried-landerfromWidescreen:(800)877-2066,robert-kaufman.com.

J

H

I

G

11⁄4˝

11⁄4˝

11⁄4˝

11⁄4˝1˝

1˝

1˝

6

Book Buddyby Nicki LaFoilleCreateacleverreversiblebookmarktokeepyourpagewhenreadingonsnowywinterdays.

Supplies• Scrapsoftwoprintcottonfabrics

(atleast2”wide;see“Sources”)

• Coordinatingall-purposethread

• 2buttons(atleast1⁄2”-diameter)

• Thinhairelastic

• Handsewingneedle

• Removablefabricmarker

Sew It1. Measure the book height. Double

themeasurement,andthensubtract11⁄2”;record.

2. From each print fabric,cutonerectanglemeasuring2”xtherecordedmeasurement.Piecetogetherscrapsifneededtoachievetherecordedmea-surement.Aligntherectangleswithrightsidestogether.Stitchthelongedgesandoneshortedgeusing1⁄4”seamallowance,leavingoneshortedgeopenforturning(Figure1).

3. Clip the corners andturnthebookmarkrightsideout;press.Double-foldtheshortrawedge1⁄4”aroundthehairelastic(Fig-ure2).Slipstitchthefirstfoldormachinestitchclosetothefirstfold,backstitchingatthebeginningandendtosecure.

4. Using a removable fabric marker, centeramark3⁄4”fromtheremainingshortedgeonbothbookmarksides.

Looselyhandstitchabuttonateachmark,andthenwrapthethreadaroundthestitchingundereachbuttonthreetofourtimestocreateasmallthreadshank.

5. Wrap the bookmarkaroundthebookpagesandfrontcoverandsecurethehairelasticaroundthebutton.

7

Fi g ure 1 F ig u re 2

Head Rest by Kate Van FleetMakeatravelpillowthatdoesdoubledutyasatherapeuticnecksoother.Micro-wavethepillowfortwominutesorputitinthefreezerforonehourdependingonyourneeds.Thericeinsidewillstaycoldorhotforatleast20minutesofrelief.Bet-teryet,thepillowcanbesewnandreadytousein15minutes!

Supplies• ½yardeachofcottonprint

andliningfabric

• 4½poundsofrice

• Matchingall-purposethread

• Handsewingneedle

Cut It1. Copy the Head Rest patternfrom

page9.Cuttwoneckpillowseachonthefoldfromtheliningandprintfabric.

Sew It2. With right sides together,stitchthe

liningpieces,leavinga3”openingalongonesideforturning.Clipthecurvesat1”intervals.

3. Turn the pillow right side outthroughtheopening.Fillthepillowwiththerice.Whipstitchtheopeningclosed.

4. With right sides together,stitchtheprintpieces,leavingan8”openingalongonesideforturning.Clipthecurvesat1”intervals.

Finish It5. Turn the pillow right side out.Insert

theliningpillowthroughtheprintpillowopening.Whipstitchtheopeningclosed.

8

Print or copy at 200%

9

Sew it All Lesson #3. Copyright©2015byF+W.Allrightsreserved.NopartofthiseBookmaybereproducedinanyformorbyanyelectronicormechanicalmeansincludinginformationstorageandretrievalsystemswithoutpermissioninwritingfromthepublisher,exceptbyareviewerwhomayquotebriefpassagesinareview.PublishedbyFons&PorterBooks,animprintofF+W,aContent+eCommerceCompany,10151CarverRoad,Suite200,BlueAsh,OH45242.(800)289-0963.FirstEdition.

OtherfineFons&Porterproductsareavailablefromyourlocalbookstore,artsupplystoreoronlinesupplier.Visitourwebsiteatshopfonsandporter.com.

SRN:T6609

Learn more with the Sew it All ebooks!ThisseriesofebooksfromtheSew it Allmagazineteamwalksyouthroughsewingbasics.Don'tmissthefirstfourebooksinthisseries.Visitshopsewitall.comfordetails.

10