Quick Sewing Projects for Kids Learning to Sew

If your daughter is learning to sew she probably is anxious to make something all on her own. If she knows basic stitching there are a few projects she can do immediately with little assistance. One is a throw. Many people use throws in cool weather to cover up with while relaxing in their favorite chair. The throws are very easy to make and don’t take too long to do so.

A 60″x80″ throw is a comfortable size for a grownup but the throw can be made much smaller, if need be, for a child. Cut the fabric to about 62″x82″. This will allow enough room for the child to stitch around the edges and still keep the general size of the throw.

Start by having the child zig-zag with a wide stitch. The stitches can be fairly close together but not too close. Having the stitches too close together uses lots and lots of thread and doesn’t really add anything to the throw. Have the child guide the throw by aligning the edge of the throw against one of the feed plate markings, making sure to leave an inch or so for trimming. After the child has sewn around the perimeter of the throw, have her trim the edges about an eighth-inch away from the stitches, all the way around. The throw is now finished.

Your child can easily make a purse from a place mat, too. Fold the cloth place mat in half, width-wise, inside-out. Have the child sew the two side seams, making sure to backstitch when she gets to the ends. She can now sew velcro pieces across the inside top edges, on both sides, to hold the purse shut. Or, she can just put a single large snap or button in the inside center.

A different way to make the purse is to fold the place mat about 2/3’s of the way up, inside-out. After stitching, turn the purse right-side-out. This will leave enough fabric to make a flap that folds over the top of the purse and snaps shut on one side.

A pet bed is another easy project. Cut two circles, rectangles, or squares, from the fabric. They should be appropriate for the size of the dog. Have her place the two pieces with right sides together and sew almost all the way around, leaving a few inches on one side, for stuffing. Turn the bed right-side-out, stuff, and stitch shut. Don’t get carried away with the stuffing or it’ll be difficult to stitch shut.

A skirt, when made a particular way, can be really simple. Purchase very wide elastic to make the waistband. Measure the child’s waist and add an inch. Cut this measurement from the elastic. Now cut one piece of fabric but allow an additional 8″ beyond the elastic measurement, plus the 1″ for a seam, as the waist measurement. For the length, decide on above-knee, knee-length, or another length, and cut that measurement. Be sure to allow 3″ for the hem.

Mark the waist of the fabric in four different places. Mark halfway between the side and the belly button, on each side of the front of the skirt. Mark the same places in the back of the skirt. Begin sewing with a straight stitch that is long to allow for the stretching of the elastic waistband.

The stitching should be done to where the right side of the elastic is aligned with the edge of the right side of the fabric. Stitch straight across, stopping at the marks to make a 2″ fold. When finished stitching the elastic to the fabric, it’s time to hem. Hem the skirt by first folding the fabric under an inch, then folding once again, three inches. Stitch across. Now stitch down the side seam and you’re done.

Other easy projects are place mats, pillowcases, curtains, tube tops, tank tops, tee shirts or a tablecloth. Your daughter will love sewing, once she gets the hang of it, and these projects will not only give her pride, but build her confidence as well.