You can make simple sewing shapes for your child
by punching holes around the edge of cardboard shapes
or the fronts of holiday or birthday cards.
Use a hole punch to punch holes (approx. ½
apart) around the cards or shapes.
Make a sewing thread for your child with a 12
section of yarn.
Wrap one end of the yarn with tape for a needle
and tie the other end of the yarn through one of
the sewing holes.
Provide additional yarn sections, if necessary.
Show her how to weave the yarn in and out of
the holes or loop around the card, then through
a hole.
CAUTION: Do not let your child play with pieces
of yarn over 12 long. Long pieces of yarn or string
can pose a strangulation hazard for young children.
BURLAP SQUARES
Another fun beginning sewing experience for your
preschooler is to sew on burlap.
For this activity you will need an embroidery
hoop and a square of burlap, slightly larger than
the hoop.
You will also need a large plastic childs needle
or yarn needle and 12 lengths of colorful yarn.
Place the burlap in the embroidery hoop and give
it to your child.
Thread a piece of yarn in the yarn needle and
give it to your child.
Show him how to sew the yarn in and out of the
burlap.
Continue giving him yarn lengths while interest
in the project lasts.
WEAVING
BOARDS
A fun weaving project to do with your child is
to make a weaving board.
Take a piece of (approx. 8 ½ x 11) piece
of cardboard and cut (½ ¾) slits
down from the top and up from the bottom of the
paper, set ½ apart.
Help your child string yarn up and down the board.
Start at the top by placing the yarn in one of the
slits, then go down to the corresponding slit on
the bottom and pull the yarn in the slit and out
the next slit. Then bring the yarn up to the top
of the board and continue until you have yarn running
up and down through all of the slits.
Now you have your board set up, give your child
12 sections of colorful yarn, with tape or a yarn
needle attached to one end or wrap tape around one
end.
Show her how to weave her needle in and out of
the yarn strips on the board
These look good even if your child does not complete
the whole length of the board.
Loose pieces of yarn can be taped onto the back
of the board when your child is finished to prevent
the weaving from coming apart.
