Hand sewing is one great way to introduce sewing concepts to kids and teens. There are many cute project that can be completed without using a sewing machine, and kids love to work with their hands. Hand sewing allows them to have the most control over the pace of their sewing–sometimes the speed of a sewing machine can seem intimidating for kids.
Secret #1: Their Stitches Will Be GIGANTIC!!!!
Fine motor skills are still being finely tuned. Depending on their age and motor skill development, they will still be learning how to just get the needle in and out of the fabric. Straight lines and even stitching come along much (sometimes much much) later. That’s ok.
Secret #2: They CAN Learn With Metal Needles
Much conventional wisdom says that they should start with a plastic needle. Maybe that’s true if they are 5 and under, but 5 and older can use any type of needle. The type of needle is less important than the size of the eye of the needle. A needle with a bigger eye WILL be easier for them to thread, although the thread may fall out more easily.
Secret #3: They Have A Hard Time Monitoring The “Tail” Of The Thread
In other words, be prepared to assist with RE-threading, possibly many times. This is mostly a motor coordination situation that will work itself out with time, growth and practice. That’s ok. Maybe alternate between you threading and them threading. You have to remember exactly which skill they are trying to learn–threading a needle or hand stitching. Requiring them to learn both at once could lead to frustrating feelings of overwhelm, and lead to dislike of sewing (quelle horreur!).
Secret #4: Try Stitching On Something OTHER Than Fabric
What?!? Aren’t they trying to learn to sew here???? Yes, but……here’s the thing……fabric is really, really floppy. In other words, the amount of motor coordination it requires to hold a needle and thread AND a piece of floppy fabric AND try to stitch nicely and evenly just may be beyond your student’s current capabilities. I love the idea on this site of using a disposable plate to practice stitching: https://makeit-loveit.com/teaching-kids-to-hand-sew So much easier to hold and see your stitches on!
Secret #5: Try Some Sashiko And Boro Techniques
Sashiko and boro style stitching is widely associated with Japanese folk embroidery, although other cultures have similar stitching traditions, such as Kantha cloth from India. It is often used for very practical things, like mending, and joining multiple smaller pieces of cloth into a larger piece. Some of the reasons Sashiko techniques are great for kids to try include:
- High contrast– usually white or cream thread on dark blue or other dark colors. This makes it so much easier to see what you’ve done.
- Thick thread of only 1 strand- unlike DMC embroidery floss, true Sashiko thread is a thick thread of only 1 strand. So much easier to thread through the needle and pull through the cloth.
- Same stitch over and over–running stitch is the EASIEST stitch in the WORLD to learn. Even young kids can make a running stitch.
- They can stitch on and personalize their own clothing and belongings- kids love to personalize their own clothes and belongings, which may motivate them to stick with it longer and push past any difficulties.
Links to Other Resources
- https://www.allfreesewing.com/Sew-for-Kids/Printable-Sewing-Cards-for-Kids-NSM2020
- https://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/summer-fun-teaching-kids-to-hand-sew/
- https://craftsselection.com/hand-sewing-projects-for-kids/
- https://slate.com/human-interest/2019/07/sashiko-perfect-cheap-hobby-break-phone-addiction.html
- https://makeit-loveit.com/mending-jeans-embroidery
