FREE SHIPPING OVER $80 | Cut Yardage Only | U.S. Only |   Excludes Bolts, Bundles, Pre-Cuts, Batting 
FREE SHIPPING OVER $80 | Cut Yardage Only | U.S. Only |   Excludes Bolts, Bundles, Pre-Cuts, Batting 

SEWING FOR KIDS

DAVID JACKSON | SEWING | JULY 17, 2020

At Marshall Dry Goods, we realize that not everyone is a pro - and not everyone who wants to sew is an adult! A growing age group learning to sew in the U.S. (believe it or not) is between the ages of 5 and 12! You would be surprised at what a child can create given the proper supervision and the correct tools! For your aspiring sewing student, here are a few tips that will make their learning experience enjoyable - not only for them, but for you as well. 

You’ve heard the saying: “You can give a person a fish and you feed them for a day - OR you can teach them to fish and you give them a skill that will feed them for a lifetime.” Instead of just going out and buying clothes every time for your children, why not teach them how to make some of their own - ON their own?

 

6 SEWING TIPS FOR KIDDOS:


1. Determine Their Skill Level

Some children just have built-in abilities that others do not. Some sewing techniques and skills just come easier for some. It is all about mastering their fine motor skills. Knowing their skill level and being careful not to frustrate them early on is key. Usually between ages 2 - 4, children are able to thread beads (usually large beads only) among other simple sewing tasks. Ages 5-8 can learn how to cross stitch, basic stitch, embroider, as well as sew with felt. After age 8 is usually a safe time to introduce the sewing machine with 100% supervision, using small projects and patterns. Be sure to follow the lead of your child, giving them room to learn with little, if any stress. 



2. Steady As She Goes

Sewing can be a fulfilling or a frustrating experience. If you can control the tempo, breaking down each specific project into enjoyable segments, you will stay one step ahead. Their confidence will continue to grow, and you will enjoy the process better as well. An overwhelmed child is a frustrated child. Take things slow and easy - being careful not to spend long segments of time on one particular thing. If you teach kids other than your own, let them take their projects home, allowing them to finish at their own pace. Sometimes having an adult looking over their shoulder does nothing but cause unnecessary stress.


3. Practice. Practice. Practice.

Mastering almost any sewing technique takes lots of practice. Regardless of your skill level, we all learn something practically every time we sew. Every time! It’s like memorizing the home keys when you are learning to type. If you get that basic skill down, your typing will always be much faster and more accurate. Learning the basic techniques of sewing, and practicing them over and over will lead to a more successful experience that can last a lifetime.


4.OOPS I Did It Again!

Mistakes are going to happen. Realize it early, and expect it often. Let your student know that you make mistakes as well. Show them how you have failed, and then how you overcame. Give the child room for the things that are going to go wrong. Teaching them how to correct what went wrong is huge when learning to sew. Teach them to address it, conquer it, and move on.


5. Goals

Setting sewing goals/project goals for a child is extremely beneficial. It gives them something to shoot for instead of diverting from one thing to another. Accomplishing an established goal only boosts confidence, and helps the child as they develop their skill sets. Be sure the goals are actually obtainable. Nothing frustrates a child more (and adults for that matter) is to go too big too soon! It would be better to break one specific goal into two smaller goals that can be accomplished more quickly, than one large goal that takes forever.



6. To Each His/Her Own

Teaching a child to sew can be a rewarding experience. One MAJOR thing to remember, is they are not you. More than likely they will not wind up sewing exactly how you have learned to sew. They will develop their uniqueness. Give them space for them to be them. Applaud and point out their “uniqueness.” Most successful singers will tell you that they have mentors/singers that they have modeled, but through the years they eventually develop their own specific style. The same is true when you learn to sew. Let their individuality shine through!


MARSHALL DRY GOODS - FOR ALL AGES

Whether you are an expert or just learning how to thread a needle, Marshall Dry Goods is here to help you make the most of your sewing endeavors! Our showroom is full of amazing fabric choices for you to use on your sewing masterpieces. You have questions? We have the answers! Passing along our advice from lessons learned over the years is part of what we do best. Visit us online or give us a call and let us help guide you in making your next project a success!



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