Easy Sewing Projects for Kids

Keeping kids busy is one of the most challenging tasks that a parent faces. Most kids have a lot of energy that needs to be channelized in the right direction, in order to make them productive. Nobody wants their child to have a lot of energy and nothing to do with it, because an empty mind is the devil’s workshop. Hobbies are a sure shot way to ensure that your kid’s energy stays in check. They help kids explore imaginative options, develop motor skills, keep them busy, and hone a skill that can come in handy at some point in their lives.

Sewing is one such intricate activity that can help kids in multiple areas. Sewing might be considered an activity that is reserved for the elderly, but that could not be further from the truth! We have a few sewing projects for children that might help them stay busy, and also introduce them to a new activity that they fall in love with. Sewing is a hobby that is easy to pick up, and can help in other facets of life. Read on to find out more about sewing projects that you can indulge in with children!

Fun Kid-Friendly Sewing Project Ideas

It can be difficult when your kids want to learn how to sew, and you want to teach them, but you’re not sure how to approach it. This is when children’s sewing projects for beginners come in handy, as you then have a list of tiny projects to choose from, so that they can learn how to sew as well as stay busy. Projects can vary in difficulty, from being easy to very difficult and tedious. But, don’t worry, we have the perfect list of projects that will be easy for your little ones, yet challenging enough to excite them! These sewing projects also produce something that can be used by the kids. Read on to find out more about these projects!

1. Easy-to-Sew Mermaid Rag Doll

This hand-sewing project for kids is easy yet challenging enough to be interesting. Kids love these dolls, because they can keep them as a toy, and it’s personal to them, since they have sewn the rag doll themselves! These rag dolls can be customized based on any character of choice. However, as the character becomes more difficult, so will the entire sewing process. Not to worry, you can start small, and take it from there. Here are the things you will need and the procedure to sew a Mermaid Rag Doll.

Supplies Required 

• Fabric for the tail of the Mermaid; you can choose to mix and match
• Felt required for the body of the Mermaid
• Wool for the Mermaid’s hair
• Cotton/rice/other material to stuff the body of the Mermaid
• Thread and needle
• Felt or marker for facial features
• Additional sequence, glitter, beads for the Mermaid

Instructions  

1. You can start by tracing out the top and bottom parts of the Mermaid, and cutting two of each. Make sure the top of the tail is slightly bigger than the bottom of the torso, so it can fit in. In case you have a pattern on your fabric, you must decide in which direction you would like it to run.
2. Use an overstitch or back stitch, and sew the two parts of the tail together. Do the same for the torso. Make sure not to sew it all the way around, as the stuffing and torso need to go in the tail.
3. Stuff the body and the tail with a bit of cotton or rice, so that they are fluffy, and do not look two-dimensional.
4. Take the torso, and carefully insert it within the tail. Use a pencil to even out the sides and creases. Before inserting it, fold the top of the tail so that it gives a crisp edge.
5. Take some wool of any colour. Pull out strands of the wool, and make the hair for the doll. Use additional wool to tie up the hair and make it stay on the doll. Sew in the hairpieces in the middle, so it looks like a parting.
6. Now, it’s time to finish up. Use the markers, glitter or more felt to make facial features such as eyes, eyebrows, nose, and lips. You can also add some blush on the cheeks.
7. If you like, you could use some beads or other decorative items and also create a bra for the Mermaid.
8. Your Mermaid is now ready and looking super cute!

2. Fabric Flower Sewing Project for Kids

Flowers are something that everybody likes! Sewing flowers is the perfect first project for a child, since it is easy to execute, and gives the child a sense of achievement, which she can use to sew at the next level. Here is the process to create a fabric flower:

Supplies Required

• 5-6 pieces of fabric, depending on the number of petals and size of your flower
• Thread, scissors, and needle
• A big or small button, depending on the size of your flower
• A circular stencil to help trace
• A pin to make it a brooch, a pipe cleaner or straw to make a stem, hairclip etc
• Cotton or felt to help sew the button

Instructions  

1. Choose whatever fabric you like. It could be multi-colored, patterned, or of solid color. Ideally, use thin fabric, because of the number of times the petal will have to be folded.
2. Use the stencil, or anything circular, to cut 5 different circles from the fabric. The size of your stencil will decide the size of the petals and the flower as a whole. In case you use a small stencil, you will end up with a flower that is sized well for the purpose of a hairband. If you use a big stencil, you can make a big flower out of it, and keep it in a vase.
3. Fold it in half a couple of times, until what you’re left with is a quarter of a circle.
4. Now, sew a running stitch along the curved part of the quarter circle. Make sure the stitches are good, and pull at it so that the stitch is held in place. Once you have pulled at the thread, it should give the rough shape of a petal.
5. Using the same thread, repeat the process with the rest of the circle, such that at the end of it, you have all the petals together, and a hollow centre.
6. In this centre, use some cotton or felt, not just to hide the stitches, but also to give some padding for the button.
7. Sew on the button, and you’re done!
8. Now, it’s time for you to decide what you would like to do with the flower. You can attach it to a hairclip and show it off in school, or attach it to a straw or a pipe cleaner, and give it a stem to place in a vase. Or, you could just as easily use a safety pin and convert it into a brooch!

3. Sewing a Scrunchie

Girls love scrunchies, as they are cute accessories of different shapes and sizes. If you provide them with an opportunity to create their own, they will be ecstatic! Sewing a scrunchie is a great way to get the kids excited about the activity, and gives them something that they can use at the end of it! Here are the supplies needed, as well as the process, to sew a scrunchie.

Supplies Required 

• Scraps of fabric
• Elastic band
• A couple of safety pins that will be used for threading
• Other sewing material

Instructions 

1. Making your own scrunchies is a matter of preference. Make sure to measure the fabric, so that you are not left over with too much or too little of it. Some people like long scrunchies, and some people like small ones.
2. Cut a long rectangle from your fabric. This fabric could be plain or patterned, or a combination of both. In case you decide to choose a fabric with a pattern, you must be sure of the direction you’d like to cut the rectangle in. For a good-sized scrunchie, we suggest cutting your fabric into 12 cm by 45 cm.
3. Take the elastic band, and wrap it around your wrist to measure out the size. Make sure to leave a bit extra so that you are able to tie a knot.
4. Next, sew the end seams of your scrunchie from the shorter side. This is done also to keep the edges clean. Turn over both the short ends, and sew downwards.
5. Now fold your fabric almost in half, lengthwise, with the wrong side out. Make sure to sew it 0.5 cm from the edge. You can use a backstitch here, since they are strong.
6. Once you are done, turn the scrunchie right side out, and insert the elastic band that you had measured a few steps ago, and make sure it comes out the other end.
7. Use a safety pin and secure one end of the elastic to the folded and stitched fabric “tube”.
8. Once inserted, use the safety pin to guide the elastic all the way to the end of the tube where you tie both ends of the elastic together.
9. Make sure the elastic is secured properly so that it does not snap back into the tube and you have to redo it.
10. Once secured, use the ends of the fabric and overlap them in such a way that the elastic is unseen.
11. The next and final step is to sew both ends of the tube shut. Now you have a cute little scrunchie, and you can show it off to your friends about how you made it at home!

4. Drawstring Backpack

Backpacks are definitely something that all kids use at some point in their lives. A backpack comes in handy for an array of things. This little DIY method of sewing a drawstring backpack is sure to interest your kid! Customizing wardrobes and footwear can definitely be fun for parents and kids, but if you want your child to have something really special when she goes to school, getting her to sew a drawstring backpack is a sure shot winner. Here are the supplies required and the instructions to sew together a drawstring backpack.

Supplies Required 

• About 2 feet of fabric
• Ribbons/beads/other decoration
• 1 foot of contrasting fabric
• Coordinating thread
• Safety pin
• Sewing machine

Instructions  

1. For the main bag, cut two 14”x12” strips with the fabric. For the top contrast, cut two 14”x4”. Cut two drawstring loops of dimensions 4”x2”. Cut two ribbons, both at 55”.
2. Now, fold the loops into half along the length, the wrong way out. Sew along the edge, and flip the loop inside out.
3. Use the sewing machine and complete a zig-zag stitch along the edges of the fabric, which will be used for the main bag.
4. Take the loops that you sewed in step 2, and place them at the bottom of the bag, about 0.5 inches from the bottom.
5. Place the other fabric for the main bag over the first one, such that they both have their main print facing each other, and pin along the edges.
6. Now, sew the bag all along the edges and make sure to leave the top of it open. This will be the entrance to your backpack.
7. Sew the shorter edges of the contrast fabric. Make sure to fold the edges under 0.5 inches on both sides. Now, fold the contrast fabric into half, such that the wrong sides face together. This will act as the casing for the ribbon.
8. Keep the casing on the top part of the main bag, such that the unfinished seam is at the top. Use plenty of pins, and ensure that the folded edges align with the seam on both sides.
9. Use a zig-zag stitch and sew the contrast fabric and main bag together with a bit of allowance for the seam. Use a hot iron to press the casing. Make sure to do it upwards and away from the bag.
10. Attach the ribbon to a safety pin, and insert it in the casing. Loop it around through the casing until it comes out from the other side. Do the same thing on the other side. Once the ribbons are out, make sure to adjust them, so that they are both of the same sizes.
11. Take one of the ribbons and feed them through the loop you had made a few steps ago. Once finished, tie up the ribbons to the loop, and cut off the excess fabric. Repeat the process for the other ribbon and loop.
12. The bag should close on the top once you pull on the drawstring. This backpack can be customized based on whatever your child wants!

Sewing is an activity that will help empower your child, and at the same time, give you an opportunity to be able to bond with her. The possibilities with sewing are innumerous, and in case you have an affinity towards sewing and creating things with your own hands, these activities are perfect for you. The activities that we have mentioned are all for beginners, and even if you don’t have any experience in sewing, they should help you get your foot through the door into a whole new world. Whether it’s a rag doll or a backpack, sewing is not only cathartic, but it’s also a great hobby that you can help your kids pick up! Some skills are useful to have throughout the course of life, and sewing is definitely one of them. All the best with the activities, and we hope you and your little ones have a blast making these!

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