needles and thread

The teachers at Arlo's kindergarten asked me if I would like to set up a table with a sewing activity for the children this week. A is now at morning sessions along with many other 4-5 year olds, and it took me a while to come up with an idea of what I would do. The kindergarten is a wonderful place for children to be creative- all the materials and work stations are set up around the space, and children are free to move between them with guidance and support from the teachers if they'd like it.

A while ago the teachers placed a sewing kit, some scraps of fabric, scissors and needles on one of the tables, and were surprised that so many of the children wanted to have a go at sewing something. They did basic applique, and sewed patches onto capes and skirts, and fashioned bags from pieces of thick fabric, with long handles to wear over their bodies. Their only complaint being that the needles supplied were far too blunt to sew properly! (they were the thick darning-needle type.)

So this morning I packed a box with 'proper', sharp hand-sewing needles, dressmaking scissors, lots of felt, fabric and a jar of buttons, with the idea of making fabric brooches or decorations in mind. The children were so enthusiastic, they threaded their own needles and set to work. We also found a tray of small beads and sequins to add to our works of art.

It was amazing to watch the children totally engrossed in their sewing, and I realised that just as much as learning the skills of sewing, they were learning about patience, waiting their turn and the sharing of materials. I loved the way in which the children were so decisive in which fabric pieces they selected and how they would join them together. My suggestions were completely ignored. Quite right.

I'm thinking maybe next time we could try some simple embroidery...?

Extra ideas for sewing with children:

All manner of ideas for crafting with children at Kiddley

Sewing practice for younger children (toddler age)- egg carton sewing, and chunky beads to thread (Keira has these)

Montessori Services equipment for children's sewing, weaving and knitting

Martha Stewart Kids

Comments

[Beth]

This looks like great fun! Thanks for the links too... Each year in my first grade classes we enjoyed sewing like this, and we always made a quilt together. The children love to use the sewing machine too and while it sometimes shocked other adults it always seemed quite natural to me!

It sounds like a lovely kindergarten classroom.

[Rachelle]

Fantastic Melissa! As a former kindergarten teacher - BC (before children!)I remember being overjoyed when a lovely parent such as yourself came and shared an exciting learning experience with the children. I bet they will always remember the fun they had with you!

[Sally Anne]

What a fun morning !. My fingers were itching to get in there and help as well.I loved the end result, such clever kids.

[okie okasan]

I love your observation that the children were also learning about patience. I have felt recently that one of the reasons I finally am able to sit and work my way through a sewing project is that I have developed the patience for it. I used to just rush through, trying to get to the finish, which was always a disaster!

[lori]

wonderful!!
for extra sewing fun at my house we have lacing stuff...
some are wooden--some are cardboard pictures with holes punched around the edge for shoestring type laces to sew through.

[Jodie]

Wow!!! I'm looking so forward to that stage in my little princess's life, preschool that is, she has just turned 1 so I still have a long way to go but I'm sure the next 3-4 yrs will just fly by, unfortunately.

What a fantastic little sewing group, the brooches look fantastic!! The button, the lace, the little sequence, everything is adorable. I would be very proud to wear such a fine piece of art/craft.

Thanks for the great links and keep up the great work!!

Jodie

[jen]

good on you
and thganks for the links
i have my bachelor in ECE :)

[Di]

It looks like the kids had a great time - it is so nice to see schools encouraging creativity in this way!!

[kimberlee]

what great parents help! I never did any sewing at that age but I wish I had!

-kimberlee

[caireen]

that looks so sweet! what a great idea, and you can SEE how much they (and you) got from it! Cx

[mariannealice]

such wonderful images of small hands at work....thanks once again for the inspiration, it's something we can try out this school holiday break.It's not like we're short of a bit of fabric around here!

[Chara Michele]

What a neat thing for them to be able to try and do!

[amanda]

This is so heartwarming! What fun and I bet you touched many lives with this activity. I can just imagine the look of concentration, working through frustration, and then finally . . . "I did it!"

Also thank you for the links. I will check those out. And by the way, when we were in first grade we did embroidery on burlap with yarn and blunt needles. We learned the running stitch, chain stitch, and a few others. I started embroidering at home after that and I am still at it. Taking the time to teach a simple skill can really change lives. I think it is so awesome that you are finding all kinds of ways to share your talent and your creative spirit :)

[Kim]

Melissa, what fabulous ideas AND what a fabulous treat for the kids! I'll bet you're a total rock star to them now, and rightly so :-)

[Sez]

How cool Meliss! man, both the children and teachers at my centre LOVE parents like you! It must have been nice for A to have you come in and do that. Clever children!

[Helen]

It looks like so much fun. I need to start teaching Sam some needle arts once he gets over his chewing/teething stage.

[Steph]

What a cool activity! Thats awesome that they got so into it.

[VictoriaE]

Beautiful - the first photo and the next and their little creations. I find it amazing how easily kids learn to sew. My kids love it and the only problem is they lose needles all over the house, apart from that it's great and keeps them busy. Now, I'm going to go check out your mum's blog. Have a good day Melissa!

[Zelia]

How fun:)

[ellen]

Nowadays kids get totally underestimated in what they can do; 50 years ago girls were expected to knit at their own socks every day at the age of 6. Now we are shocked that they get a real sharp needle at 4 while at supervised creative play. If they do prick themselves, well they sure won't do that 20 times, and they just learned to be a little more careful. As a spinner, weaver, woolcrafter and sewer I totally applaud you and A.'s Kindy for making these beginner skills available to the kids, all these skills are becoming endangered in our western society and are not being taught at school as a matter of course any more. I have come across a great many 10 year olds who can't even thread a needle! I think it is a sign of the times; people want instant gratification and fibrework needs patience. So many kids have only tv or computer as their interest , but when you turn the button off ,what do you actually have? It's 2 dimensional , you can't actually touch it. Have you tried weaving on cardboard? It's fast and colourful, and also needs a little maths.

[susan]

What a wonderful activity. I wish I had taken the time to teach my daughter when she wanted to learn. Lots of regrets there. These kids are really lucky to have this opportunity.

[Emma (Stockholm, Sweden)]

It looks like a perfectly fun day in kindergarten. They all made such wonderfully cute decorations. I must try this with Tyra. :)

[Jenn : )]

What a wonderful project!

[suzanne]

That looks like a great fun day! Lucky kids! The results look great!

[Louise]

Thanks for the brooch idea. I have been asked to do some sewing with the children at my daughter's kinder and have been trying to think of a good project for them. My two eldest daughters aged 7 & 5 are currently each doing an embroidery project which they drew up themselves. They are using proper needles and there has been no problems. They get so engrossed in it and are so pleased with the outcome. I have also shown them how to knit and my oldest has her own Janome children's sewing machine and is making a bag. I hope they continue to be interested in craft but at least they'll have some basic skills.