Share:

Sewing is a creative skill that can be learned at any age. The earlier you start, the more proficient and comfortable you will be with operating a sewing machine. For this reason, getting kids excited about sewing gives them the chance to flex their style and learn a useful technique. Here are a few tips to involve children.

How to Get Children Into Using a Sewing Machine

When to Start

Children can explore the world of sewing as young as two years old, beginning with lacing cards and threading beads. This improves dexterity and fine motor skills and also helps them practice patience for later skills like threading a needle and working with patterns. Especially in younger children, they don’t necessarily have to make anything specific. Give them the tools and let them express themselves. Praise their work and keep their confidence up.

At around five years old, children are capable of learning basic stitches and techniques such as embroidery and cross stitch. They can also learn to attach felt pieces together with their fundamentals.

Once they turn eight years old, teach them introductory skills on a sewing machine, which include threading the needle, learning the pedal, and working with easy patterns. The more comfortable they are with using the sewing machine, the easier it will be to transition to making clothing and other more complicated projects. Look for sewing machines designed for children that will be smaller, lighter, and fitted with safety features to protect their fingers from mishaps.

Patience & Positivity

sewing machineSewing requires patience, and sometimes kids will get frustrated when skills don’t come easily. The best way to circumvent this is to stay positive and give them milestones. Divide larger projects into sections so they feel they are progressing. Avoid showing frustration over mistakes, and if they seem upset, show them how easy it is to correct their mistakes with a seam ripper.

Depending on the age of the kid and their attention span, select projects that can fit in an hour. This allows for plenty of time to practice skills and complete the designated section for the session. Once the hour is up, they will be proud of their work and will go into the next hour more confidently. As kids advance and get older, you can increase sewing times.

 

Since 1947, Kramer’s Sew & Vac has been the family-owned sewing machine and vacuum cleaner shop for the greater Cincinnati area. Their professional team and vast knowledge of new and pre-owned equipment make them the top choice when you are looking for a machine for your children or yourself. They also provide sewing machine repair and offer customers the ability to trade in their old equipment as credit for a new one. To learn more about their sewing machines, call (513) 891-5005 or visit their online newsletter for updates.

tracking