sewing "toy" for DD?

[Amy0417]

Has anyone ever made something to teach sewing? I was thinking felt and yarn and not sure what to use for the needle. Any suggestions would be great.

[Multimomma]

In the hobby section are large plastic needles for working with plastic mesh, they're dull but perfect for going through soft thin felt. You might look at the plastic netting as well, because it's set up in the grid, it's easy for the younger ones to push through, and they can practice sewing sections of grid together, sewing different shapes, you can draw pictures on it with sharpie to 'embroider', or they could sew large buttons on as well.

[Amy0417]

Originally Posted by Multimomma

In the hobby section are large plastic needles for working with plastic mesh, they're dull but perfect for going through soft thin felt. You might look at the plastic netting as well, because it's set up in the grid, it's easy for the younger ones to push through, and they can practice sewing sections of grid together, sewing different shapes, you can draw pictures on it with sharpie to 'embroider', or they could sew large buttons on as well.

You rock!!! I'll definitely check out my hobby lobby!

[zebra15]

Originally Posted by Multimomma

In the hobby section are large plastic needles for working with plastic mesh, they're dull but perfect for going through soft thin felt. You might look at the plastic netting as well, because it's set up in the grid, it's easy for the younger ones to push through, and they can practice sewing sections of grid together, sewing different shapes, you can draw pictures on it with sharpie to 'embroider', or they could sew large buttons on as well.

Yes the needles are usually purple in color and in the kids section of the craft store. (we have several of these)

[LaughingHyena]

DD used to love sewing on the plastic canvas. I used to give her a tapestry needle, threaded with some wool and she would be happy for while I was sewing.

I found it best to giver her a double length of wool, with both ends knotted so she didn't keep un threading the needle at first.

Now she's a bit older she prefers fabric in an embroidery hoop.

[katelove]

Not sure how old your DD is but my mum used to mae me "sewing cards" when I was about 4-6 years old.

They were just a piece of medium weight cardboard about A5 size (size doesn't really matter but bigger than that would have been hard for me to manage). She would draw the outline of a simple shape and then make holes about every 0.5 - 1cm around the edge. I would then "sew" around the shape using coloured yarn and a darning needle.

I really enjoyed doing them and they were quick and cheap for her to make up. The only specific one I remember was a cow which I made for our neighbours when their milk cow had her first calf. They pinned it up in the cow shed

[cheenya]

another good material for sewing practice is burlap - it can be cut into shapes and sewn together, just stiched on in one layer, or even put into an embroidery hoop. The weave is loose enough to make it easy to sew through. I don't like plastic canvas because it breaks down so completely over time and you end up with lots of sharp little pieces arround.

[AislinCarys]

DD is 2 1/2. For her and her 2 yo friend I got small embroidery hoops, and some white linen fabric I had in my stash. The linen fabric is easy to sew through, the needle makes quite big holes. And tapestry needles, they are quite blunt. then they sew with any thread or yarn around, buttons, beads etc.

It works really well, and she loves it.