Curly Birds

Making Felt Balls with Kids

We have covered buying the roving and how to wet felt with kids - now let's make something!

First Day of School - Pocket Hearts FOR MUM & DAD

For all the Mums and Dads out there who are dropping their babies off for the first time; who are hoping the teacher is as patient, calm and loving; and who are wondering what they will do with themselves all day; this craft is for you. 

 

Cut 2 pieces of felt in a heart shape and have your new little student sew around the bottom of the heart. Fill with pretty reminders of your person - a note or tissue. And when school starts keep it close by. 

 

I’m sure these hearts will help ease the transition. I desperately hope they will help because in a few short weeks my girls will be kindergarteners.

 

 

First day of school pockets hearts (for kindergarteners)

 

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A Sewing Kit for a Little Sewer

Every little sewer needs a pretty sewing kit.

 

To make your little sewer a kit, use an old biscuit/cookie tin and personalize it with a hand-drawn label.

 

Include a variety of supplies: embroidery hoops, needles, silks, and buttons.

 

The prettier the buttons, the better... include some personal buttons from your collection, and a few fancy new ones.

 

Pretty soon, your little sewer will love sewing as much as you do.

 

My girls and I really enjoy sewing together, perhaps our sewing projects for pre-schoolers will inspire you.

 

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Sewing Projects for Preschoolers: # 7 Birthday Pouch

This pretty little pouch is currently on its way to a birthday party for one of the girls' school friends.

We made it this week to hold an array of sweet stickers that Nola and Kira made for the birthday girl. I think it can easily be tailored to hold any keep sake from letters to cards or photographs.

Sewing Projects for Preschoolers: #6 Slippers

The other day the girls and I decided to make slippers. Not so much slippers for keeping warm. No, these are slippers for slipping and sliding down the hallway. Our hallway is about the size of a bowling alley, so we have lots of slipping and sliding kind of days.

First the girls drew around their feet.

Next the girls pinned their patterns onto the fleece and I cut the pieces out. I still haven't let the girls use my big, sharp material scissors - do you? I am still wondering when I should help them use grown-up scissors - I don't quite feel comfortable yet.

Sew the slippers together.

Add lots of ribbon for maximum sliding.

Here is the bottom of the finished slippers. Ready for fun...

Perfect for slipping, sliding, and twirling.

Sewing Projects for Preschoolers: # 5 Felt Vase

A pretty vase for summer flowers.

 

Made out of felt and embroidered.

 

Cut a piece of felt 3"x5" and embroider using 2 strands of embroidery silk. The girls made these all by themselves.

 

Fold the felt in half, pin, and sew. I helped the girls make small, even stitches to create the vase.

 

Hang with a suction cup.

 

We made these felt vases with test tube flower holders last week while my parents were visiting. My mum, the girls, and I each made one and I sent them to my aunt for her birthday. The girls and I love them so much that we are going to make some more and hang them in our sewing room.

 

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Sewing Projects for Preschoolers: # 4 Multiple Day Project

After making their Kira doll and beluga whale softies, girls asked to make larger softies that they could cuddle at night.

The larger pattern meant the project took multiple days to complete. This is our first project that involved pins!

We took it slowly and over a week of 3 or 4 sewing sessions (lasting an hour or two each) the girls finished their projects - it was quite a celebration! 

Sewing Projects for Preschoolers: # 3 Creating Softies from Patterns

Yesterday the girls designed patterns which we used to make softies. We used a combination of felt and fleece as neither one frays. I threaded embroidery floss in a large embroidery needles (the girls have graduated from darning needles!)

I am really noticing how well they can sew independently and I continue to be amazed by their attention span for detailed projects.

Kira made a Kira doll...

She asked me to take this picture as a comparison to the real Kira.

I think we all feel like this when we finish a sewing project.

 

Nola designed a beluga whale for her cousin's birthday.

As with her original concept, the whale is in water - I love that!

The beluga whales were one of Nola's favorites from our trip to the Georgia Aquarium last week. 

Sewing Projects for Preschoolers: # 2 Hugs

This is one of those projects that the girls came up with on their own and spent all afternoon engrossed in their art - hugs for their Great Grandma.

Not only am I completely in awe of my girls' ability to transfer vast amounts of love to their creations, I'm so proud of them for their creativity and joy of giving...

 

To make these at home - cut a 10 x 10 square of felt (or fleece), thread a blunt needle (I use a darning or embroidery needle) with some embroidery silk and let your little person sew lots of love. Give to Great Grandma and watch her heart melt.

Sewing Project for Preschoolers: # 1 Snuggle Cushion

The girls and I have begun to sew together. We have done a lot of embroidery together, but this was our first real sewing project. We were going to make pincushions, but the project quickly became something very different and a lot more personal...

 

The girls made snuggle cushions... an extra special cushion on which they drew a picture of Mummy and Daddy to feel our cuddles all night long. We are all enjoying the snuggle cushion as they have slept very well since making them!

Labels: Sew Together