Easy Hand Stitching for Children

Using a pencil and a piece of fabric I drew out some simple freehand patterns for my two youngest to hand-stitch. I was pleasantly surprised that 4 year old Peachy-girl did such a great job. I had to go back and help her once, but after that I left her alone and came back to a finished project! I couldn’t believe it!

Not everyone is a natural at things like this. Her older sister has to work at it a more than she does. I can’t wait to see what she creates in he future.

I love that it keeps her hands busy.

Needle and Thread is the best site I have found with EXCELLENT video tutorials!!! Don’t miss her dozens and dozens of patterns!

Pre-printed designs or even free handed designs like his is a great way to get young ones started on needlework.

This is a great way to teach little ones using shelf liner rolls from Dollar Tree.

I love this idea!

The Importance of Handiwork

Why You Should Learn to Quilt

Fiber Arts Monday - Simple Basics, looking for some ideas

With having little girls in my house again I am looking for ideas to help them learn the basics of sewing and easy projects that will encourage them to keep their hands busy.

Cherish, who is 8, is working on a printed plastic canvas project that we picked up at Hobby Lobby. Just learning the simple basics of how to hold a needle and which direction to stitch in has been a challenge, but plastic canvas , a big plastic needle and yarn are perfect to learn these simple things.

She will work on it for about 10 minutes, get frustrated and then have to put it down. I’m OK with that, I want her to enjoy it. The key right now is mechanics.

But the best part of doing this is that it forces time to be still with us, even when I may not want to. I have to sit with her and help her untangle her knots, or show her AGAIN what direction to go in. It gives me a perfect opportunity to teach her patience and the importance of details and diligence. I am learning just as much as she is, not in the skill of sewing but rather in patience and diligence in my parenting, in nurturing our relationship.

I even started my little Peach on these.

I used Styrofoam trays and poked holes in them.

Then I taped the yarn to the foam to be used as a knot.

We use a single thread so they can be used over and over again…

and un-knoted easily.

She thinks she is making something great! She is learning the same things, just bigger and slower. If she messes up the trays it’s no big deal, I’ll just make more. These are also great to keep her busy while we do school work. I even numbered her holes so we count as we go.

Boys like them too, but sometimes they find other things to do with the string!

Here are some other easy beginner projects:

Cloth Napkins

Tea Towels

Hair Scrunchie

Fiber art is anything that includes stitching, weaving, quilting, sewing, rug making, crocheting, knitting, spinning, etc…

Each Monday we can share ideas, patterns, finished projects and ask questions about fiber arts in the comment section.

You can also link up to your blog post or photo account that is related to fiber arts, I just ask that you link back to the most current Fiber Arts Monday post. Just leave your post link in the comment section and tell us what it is.

Fiber Arts Monday - Hand Embroidery Pillow

I saw this on Pinterest and fell in love with it!

This is a perfect gift for someone who has everything, maybe even for someone with limited space or someone in a nursing home. The design is simple enough you can draw it out for yourself. Go ahead and be thinking of anniversary and Christmas gifts, Mother’s Day is just a few weeks away!

Check out the hand embroidery video tutorials here.

Fiber art is anything that includes stitching, weaving, quilting, sewing, rug making, crocheting, knitting, spinning, etc…

Each Monday we can share ideas, patterns, finished projects and ask questions about fiber arts in the comment section.

Fiber Arts Monday - Silk Ribbon Embroidery - Videos

I love silk ribbon embroidery. It is so beautiful. It is perfect for embellishing clothing, wall hangings, pillows, quilts, framed art and bookmarks.

I taught our Keepers of the Faith group how to do silk ribbon embroidery several years ago.

Here are a few how-to’s:

How to Thread Your Needle with Ribbon

Rosebud with Chain

French Knot Rose

Spiderweb Rose

Gathered Leaf

Fiber art is anything that includes stitching, weaving, quilting, sewing, rug making, crocheting, knitting, spinning, etc…

Each Monday we can share ideas, patterns, finished projects and ask questions about fiber arts in the comment section.

So how ’bout it? Do you have a project you are working or want to work on? Let’s share some inspiration!

Fiber Arts Monday - Teach Young Children Embroidery

I’m still working on my baby blanket I started last week, I should be able to get it done this week.

I came across this great way of teaching young children some basic needle skills.

Light that fire while they are young, very young!

Fiber art is anything that includes stitching, weaving, quilting, sewing, rug making, crocheting, knitting, spinning, etc…

Each Monday we can share ideas, patterns, finished projects and ask questions about fiber arts in the comment section.

So how ’bout it? Do you have a project you are working or want to work on? Let’s share some inspiration!

Types of Scissors

If you have ever taken one of my sewing classes you’ve heard me stress the rule of NOT cutting paper (or anything else) with fabric scissors.

Fabric scissors should be saved (hidden away from children and men who want to cut EVERYTHING but fabric) in a safe place and only used for fabric. Have you ever tried to cut fabric or thread with a pair of scissors and they would not cut? It’s because they have been misused (abused!).

Investing in a good pair of scissors just for fabric is well worth it, if you can keep them out of sight!

A few months ago I found some old Dressmaker scissors at an estate sale (belonging to a 90 year old quilter), they are heavy and niiiiice! I just need to get them sharpened.

There are different kinds of scissors for different kinds of jobs. Each of them have a slightly different cut/thickness to do their job.

Anyone else remember grammar school and there being right handed scissors and left handed scissors?

Basic Scissors - You can find these anywhere and they are good for cutting paper and crafty kind of things. They are usually cheap and durable.

Scissors for Hair:

Having sharp scissors is a MUST if you are going to cut or even trim up hair for your family.

Thinning Scissors

Hair Scissors

Embroidery Scissors-

These are small so they can cut those tiny threads close to the work surface. These can also be used for quilting when trimming off threads. The pair to the right are slightly curved to allow you to get really close to the fabric. Save these only for thread work, not fabric and NOT paper!

Garden/Pruning Scissors

No matter what the job, indoor or outdoor, using the right scissors/shears, and taking good care of them makes the job so much easier.

Hand Embroidery – Video Tutorials

I loved our hand embroidery class a couple weeks ago! I promised to share some links with the girls to help them remember and improve on what they learned; I thought I’d share them with all of YOU! :o)

Needle and Thread is the best site I have found! She has EXCELLENT video tutorials!!!

Don’t skip her page with the dozens and dozens of patterns!

Take your time and explore her site that will inspire and educate you in the skill of hand embroidery!