How to Teach Kids to Sew: A Sewing with Kids Resource Guide
Teaching kids to sew can feel a little daunting at first, but it’s also one of the most rewarding creative skills children can learn. With the right tools, a few simple stitches, and beginner-friendly projects, children can quickly gain confidence and pride in making something with their own hands.
This sewing with kids resource guide brings together my most helpful articles for parents and educators who want to teach children how to sew. After more than 30 years of teaching kids to sew, I’ve learned that starting simple and keeping things fun makes all the difference.
Whether you’re helping one child learn to sew at the kitchen table or guiding a whole classroom of students through their first sewing project, these resources will help make the process clear, simple, and enjoyable.
Getting Started Sewing With Kids
If you’re new to sewing with children, it helps to begin with the basics. Children need a few simple tools, clear demonstrations, and projects that are easy enough for beginners to complete successfully.
The guides below cover the key parts of sewing with kids, including the materials children need, the first stitches to learn, helpful teaching tips, and beginner sewing projects that children can successfully make.
Why Sewing Is a Wonderful Skill for Kids
Learning to sew helps children develop patience, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Sewing also strengthens fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, making it a wonderful hands-on activity for young learners.
Most importantly, sewing allows children to experience the pride of creating something with their own hands. A simple soft toy or small sewing project can give kids a strong sense of accomplishment and confidence.
If you have any questions you are welcome to visit the Sew a Softie facebook group or email me at trixi(at)sewasoftie(dot)com
Everything You Need to Know to Teach Your Kids to Sew
I also have a video workshop which like the title says shows you everything you need to teach your kids or students to sew!
Supplies you Need to Hand Sew with Kids
I walk you through the basic supplies you’ll need to sew with your kids and how to decide which supplies are the ‘right’ ones to buy. I’ll talk about what needles work best with kids and why. Different ways to thread a needle. Should you use pins or sewing clips? What is a good thread to use? Different types of felts. What sorts of stuffings are available and what scissors work best when you need to cut fabric.
Basic Hand Sewing Stitches
Next I’ll show you the best hand sewing stitches to teach kids. I love teaching kids how to sew a simple running stitch. That is my all time favourite stitch. I’ll also give you a few extra stitches you might like to try with your kids.
How to Run a Sewing Class
I’m thrilled to say so many mums, teachers and librarians are teaching sewing classes/workshops these days. Teaching a group of kids to sew can be a little daunting. And I totally understand that. So this section gives you the basics on running a sewing workshop and includes answers to questions such as:
- How many kids should I have in my class?
- How long should the class be? and
- What is a good age to start?
The Do’s & Don’ts of Sewing With Kids
Here you’ll find my famous
Easy hand sewing projects kids (and mums) will love!
And of course now you’ll want lots of free and simple to sew fun sewing projects. This list of tutorials will keep your kids happily sewing for a very long time. These are the tutorials posted in the last 6 years for Sew a Softie in July by hundreds of bloggers around the world.
I hope these posts help you get started on your sewing with kids adventure.
Fun sewing Books
And if you’re looking for some fun hand sewing books to give as a gift to your kids then have a look at The Zenki Way: A Guide to Designing & Enjoying Your Own Creative Softies or Sewing Simple Softies with 17 Amazing Designers.
The Zenki Way
A step-by-step guide that shows you how to make a simple softie, which I call a Zenki. Ideal for teachers, librarians, people running workshops and parents to make with their kids and of course, for young children themselves.
Sew Together, Grow Together
Sew Together Grow Together is an original and exciting sewing book for kids. It features 20 easy to make sewing projects developed and road-tested over two decades in classes and workshops with children aged 5-12.
Sewing Simple Softies
This book brings together seventeen Sew a Softie participants who show you how to create a variety of wonderful softies ranging from tacos to ballerinas. Sewing Simple Softies is co-written with Deborah Fisher.
If you still have a few minutes to spare, and I hope you do, you might be interested in reading my article on why hand sewing is so important for young kids to learn.
If you have any questions you are welcome to visit the Sew a Softie facebook group or email me at trixi(at)sewasoftie(dot)com