&npsp;
Sewing is a valuable life skill - but it is also a lot of fun! There was a time when all children, both girls and boys, were taught to sew, and basic sewing skills were expected. Now many kids grow up even incapable of sewing on a button.
There are so many lovely ideas for sewing crafts here. Sarah is really inspired and has enjoyed creating these craft ideas with her boys and her Rainbow pack too. So get out the sewing supplies and have a go!
One of the traditions of the Passover seder meal is that a stack of three matzah (unleavened bread) are placed in the centre of the table. Before the meal begins, the middle piece is broken in two and one piece is saved to be eaten at the end of the meal.
Isn't this little pancake gorgeous? Make Pancake Day a little different this year with this original craft for making your own Beanbag Pancake Dolls - the kids will come up with some wonderful creations!
This is a lovely little sewing project and I think you'll agree that the finished result would be something anyone would be happy to display! Our button tree is coloured for autumn but you can of course adapt it for any season.
This Christmas Pudding Beanbag is fun for kids to make and play with during the festive season! We've got lots of ideas for beanbag games here.
These Christmas stocking decorations are fun for kids to make and decorate and pretty to hang on the tree. And of course you can slip a small present inside, too!
Our cute little cow finger puppet is a perfect craft for kids who are just learning to sew. It also makes a really nice gift for an older sibling to give to a younger sibling. And of course, once you've made the craft, you can play with it!
Children who are learning to sew will love having a go at this gorgeous cow softie, made from felt pieces and wiggle eyes! Who could resist this lovely moo cow?
You will need:
Dala horses (or Dalecarlian horses) are carved and painted wooden horses originating in the Swedish province of Dalarna. Originally made as toys for children, they are now a recognised symbol of Sweden. Have a go at making your own with this lovely Dala horse craft!
This Day of the Dead felt skull craft is a lovely excuse for children of all ages to practice their sewing skills - and to dig out all those embellishments that have been looking for a project! You could insert a wooden spoon
Here's a fun elf hat craft for children at Christmas. Hang them from the tree and fill with goodies! Perhaps children could make them as a craft activity at a Christmas party and then take them home with some special treats inside?
These elf shoes are fun to sew and oh so pretty! You could put them out on display or use them as a container for a small gift.
You will need:
Kids learning to sew will enjoy this fabric bird craft. The finished bird is pretty as a picture and makes a lovely gift...perhaps for mother, grandmother or a favourite teacher.
Here's a fabric flower craft for kids which will use up your scraps, provide practice for kids learning to sew, and create a really pretty display!
This pretty brooch is fun for kids to sew and - if you can bear to part with it - it makes a lovely gift for mothers, grannies or friends! And of course you can make all sorts of variations depending on what fabrics you have available... why not make one to match every outfit!
This felt butterfly craft makes a cute little easy sewing project for kids, needing only basic supplies. Instructions below.
You will need:
Here is a cute idea for a Valentine's Day craft to do with your kids. Older kids will be able to produce a really pretty bag on their own; younger children may need some help, or you can adapt the craft to make it appropriate for their age.
This little felt chick is a great craft for beginner sewers (or more experience sewers, come to that!) Wouldn't it be lovely making an appearance at Easter time?
This felt Christmas tree softie craft for kids is simple enough for even beginner sewers to create a really nice Christmas decoration - and the possibilities for decoration are endless!
This adorable felt dolphin bookmark will make reading a joy for anyone who uses it. Children could make one as a gift for grandparents, parents, aunties, teachers...
This felt Easter egg is a simple Easter craft activity which gives children plenty of opportunity for practising cutting, decorating and sewing skills.
Children can practise their sewing skills to make this pretty felt heart pillow - then decorate it with odds and ends to make it really special. Perfect for Valentine's Day or Mother's Day.
Kids can sew this cute felt kiwi out of simple sewing basket supplies. It's a fun craft idea for studies of New Zealand or perhaps for Waitangi Day.
These felt leaves are a simple way to teach children basic embroidery stitches as they get to see a quick result. We have stuck to basic backstitch as we are just starting out but you can be more ambitious if you like and experiment with other stitches.
This felt Matryoshka doll activity can be adapted for a range of ages, and the resulting dolls are sure to be treasured! We've used simple sewing skills to complete our dolls but you can substitute fabric glue for at least some of the sewing if you wish.
The needle case in the photo has been created for Valentine's Day, but you could obviously adapt this craft for other times of the year.
You will need:
Reading will be so much more fun when you are marking your place with this gorgeous little owl bookmark! It makes a super beginner sewing project and also an excellent gift for children to make for friends, parents and grandparents. Instructions and template below.
Here's an idea for a felt penguin softie for kids to make. Hang it from the Christmas tree, make one for friends, or enjoy it all year round...
This lovely little felt pig bookmark is perfect for a present or for kids to tuck inside their own reading book. We've provided printable templates and instructions to make it perfect for a group activity. Simple sewing needed!
Have a go at our felt rabbit craft - it's fun to make and fun to cuddle! Practise easy stitches including running stitch and blanket stitch to make this rabbit toy. Of course it is perfect for Easter as well as Chinese New Year of the Rabbit.
There is a story that if the ravens leave the Tower of London, the kingdom will fall. Why not make your own from felt to be sure that England is safe!
Isn't this felt reindeer softie adorable? Kids will need basic sewing skills and a little patience, but the effort will be rewarded with a very cute reindeer ornament to hang on the Christmas tree year after year...
This felt robin softie craft for kids produces the cutest little Christmas tree decoration - one we are sure will be treasured forever!
This softie sewing project is a lovely one for a beginner. You can vary the size of your Scotties. Blow up our template and cut out a really large one to make a cushion, use a tiny Scottie to hang on a keychain, or something in between!
Cut, decorate, stitch and stuff this cute felt star softie - then display it proudly on the tree, or hang from a door-knob for some Christmas cheer!
This felt toy bat might look cute, but he is still a perfect craft for kids to make at Halloween!
You will need:
Who could resist this little Halloween cat? Make a collection of Halloween felt toys to keep him company!
You will need:
Kids can have fun sewing their own felt toy ghost for Halloween!
You will need:
Here is an unusual Jack O' Lantern craft for Halloween, which will help the kids practise their sewing skills!
You will need:
Children will have great fun designing and sewing their own original felt monster toy - perfect for Halloween or any time of year!
You will need:
This little ball of fluff is actually a monster in disguise! It's a great monster craft idea for children who are learning to sew... the sewing bit doesn't take long and of course you can decorate your monster in all sorts of ways to give him or her real character!
This easy Christmas craft for kids can be adapted for all ages depending on dexterity.
You will need:
This lovely horse finger puppet is a good craft for older children as it requires some sewing skills and the parts are reasonably small. The finished puppet is lovely!
These adorable ice skate bookmarks are an excellent winter or sports craft that help children practise their sewing skills. They make lovely little gifts, too, so why not make a batch?
Here's a fun kangaroo bag craft which kids can make out of felt. It's good sewing practise using simple techniques and they will be proud to show it off!
Here's a quick craft project to do with the kids. You'll need basic sewing skills to make this cute ladybird beanbag craft. And of course you can play with the beanbag when you've made it!
This craft does double duty, because not only will the kids enjoy helping you make a "stack" of these beanbag pancakes, but they can toss them and play with them in many ways later. Look at our Beanbag Games page for inspiration!
Poi are balls on strings that Maori women manipulate in a special dance with great skill. You can find out more about them on our New Zealand Poi page and watch a video which will show you all sorts of moves you can practise when you have made your own poi!
Please somebody make me one of these! What better way for the children to practise their stitching than on one of these adorable owl phone case holders, made with felt, buttons and a little love. Perfect as a gift for mother or granny or a favourite auntie, perhaps?
Let children practice their sewing skills to produce this practical gift! While this craft will require some adult supervision, all that is needed is a simple blanket stitch that even the young children can try (ours was done by Jack age 5).
Here's an easy sewing project for kids - who will be thrilled to show off such a cute and useful bag as the finished result!
This felt pig finger puppet is such a lovely little craft for beginning "sewists" and it makes a perfect group craft, especially if you print out our template (which includes simple instructions) for each child.
This cute little pumpkin bag is simply made with felt and ribbon, but it is good sewing practise for beginners. Use it for storing your Halloween treats or perhaps for giving a Halloween gift...
Try this Halloween craft for kids and make your very own collecting pouches for trick or treating!
You will need:
Hang this lovely rainbow bag tag from a satchel - or anywhere in a child's bedroom or playroom - and everyone's day will be brightened. It's a super starter sewing project for children.
Simple sewing skills and a few moments are required to turn out this pretty fish brooch. We've used a bright orange ribbon to make a goldfish for Chinese New Year, but of course you could use any colour.
This sock owl manages to be oh so cute and cuddly at the same time - and any child who makes this is sure to be thrilled with the result. Why not encourage the kids to make a whole parliament of owls and give some away to friends and family?
This adorable little "bean bag" wolf is made out of - you guessed it - an old grey sock! He's much too cute to throw around like a bean bag, though. Children will need simple sewing skills to make him.
The real Loch Ness Monster might be a little more scary than our cute Soft Toy Nessie! This a lovely simple sewing craft for kids to make. Older children might want to make one for younger siblings, or friends!
Our strawberry pincushion a very simple first sewing project, the stitches can not be seen on the finished item. Makes a lovely gift for summer.
This tennis ball bean bag craft for kids is quick and easy to make, and fun to play with. Makes a good gift, too, perhaps for Father's Day?
This simple felt sewing project produces a thistle brooch that any Scot would be proud to wear!
Our finished thistle brooch
Here's a really special recycling and sewing craft that results in a really special gift. We've themed ours for Valentine's Day but of course you could adapt this in many ways. Obviously much care and supervision is needed as this craft uses bleach.
