Did You Know....Kids Can Use the Sewing Machine?

Welcome to the first official week of the "Did You Know?" series! Did you know your kids can use the sewing machine? When I first got my sewing machine a little over a year ago my daughter wanted to try who was then 8 years old. I was very hesitant about her even touching the thing! After some thinking about it and her begging to make a project I finally gave in. An guess what....it was OK!

Here are a few tips for allowing children to sew on the machine.

1. Maturity
 Are they able to use it properly and not mistreat it or get overly excited and careless? If not you may want to show them some hand sewing projects until you feel they are ready!





2. Keep it Simple!
This is one thing i went a little overboard on at first! We were at our local Jo-Ann fabric store and she saw a pattern for her American Girl doll's clothes. Not knowing what I was doing with patterns myself we got it and some fabric and brought it home.

After lots of headache and trouble we realized we didn't know what we were doing. It was WAY too complicated for her to do and even for me as a first project.

So take it from me, keep it simple! Let them make a pillow or two or three, design their own barbie dress or some other simple project that can be done without a pattern and lots of work.

3. Demonstrate
Before letting my daughter loose on the machine I showed her where and how to sew and what to do when she was finished with a section of stitches. Some children may do fine with verbal instruction but mine does best when I show her.

4. Supervise
Make sure they are able to function the machine properly, help when they need it so things don't go wrong and provide suggestions or ideas if they ask for them. Most importantly you are looking out for their safety. I'm sure neither of us wants to end up in the ER with a needle stuck in a finger!

5. Have FUN! 
My daughter and I are both learning how to operate the sewing machine together and so many projects are a group effort right now. We are having a lot of fun together! Enjoy this time with your child. They'll remember it for years to come!

Since my daughter has been on a sewing kick lately I went searching for more resources and here's what I've found.


Projects:

10 Easy Projects and machine info from Teaching Good Things 
12 Sewing Projects for Kids from Spoonful 
100 Kid Friendly Projects from Kids Sewing Projects 
Pencil/Glasses Holder from Gingermelon Dolls 
Reversible Headband from The Long Threads.
Hot/Cold Rice bags or could also be a bean bag from Bee in My Bonnet
Small tote bag from IKATBAG
Owl Sewing Pattern at Craftsy (pictured at left)





Books:
My First Sewing Machine Book: Learn To Sew: Kids
Sewing School: 21 Sewing Projects Kids Will Love to Make
My First Sewing Book: 35 Easy and Fun Projects for Children 
A Kid's Guide to Sewing: Learn to Sew with Sophie & Her Friends
Best of Sewing Machine Fun For Kids





Pre-made kits

If you want something already prepared and all your little sewer has to do is get to work these may fit the bill.

American Girl Crafts Tech Case Sewing Kit
Creativity for Kids Sew Cute Sock Puppy
American Girl Crafts Coin Purse Sewing Kit










Do you sew with your children? What's your favorite project so far? 

If you have suggestions or would like to write a guest post for this series click the "contact me" tab above! 

Note: This post includes affiliate links. These do not change the price of items for you in any way, only blesses my family with a small portion.