Kids Sewing 101

Learn to use a sewing machine safely by obtaining adult permission, setting up a workspace, keeping fingers away from the needle and presser foot, and controlling speed with the pedal.

Learn to use a steam iron safely by getting permission, avoiding the hot bottom plate and steam, handling the iron by its handle, and turning off and unplugging when finished.

Learn to use a seam ripper safely to remove unwanted seams, breaking stitches at an angle, guiding the tool with the ball end to protect fabric and fingers.

Explore the ten basic parts of a sewing machine, including the needle, presser foot, needle plate, hand wheel, spool pin, bobbin area, and the stitch length and width controls.

Explore advanced sewing machine parts and their functions, from power switch and foot pedal to needle, feed dogs, bobbin mechanisms, tension dials, take-up lever, and stitch controls.

Practice controlling sewing speed and guiding fabric without a needle on paper, using straight-line and between-line drills with the presser foot and foot pedal before actual stitchwork.

Practice controlling sewing machine speed and guiding the needle across lines on paper, starting slow and keeping hands back to build accuracy.

Start your first project by sewing a two-ton pillowcase, using straight-line stitches, thread that matches both fabrics, and the included instruction sheet; fabric a and fabric b quantities are provided.

Sew main body by aligning two 22 by 27 rectangles right sides together, pin, and stitch with a 5/8 seam at 2.5 length; press open and turn right side out.

Cut two rectangles from fabric A (20x27) and fabric B (43x10). Sew the 43x10 top trim with a 5/8 inch seam, press open, and form pillowcase top band.

Learn to thread the machine, wind and place the bobbin, follow the thread path and needle/bobbin synchronization, and achieve reliable stitches with proper bobbin setup.

Attach the band to the pillowcase by aligning raw edges, pinning around, and sewing with a 5/8 inch seam, backstitching at the start and finish, then turn, press, and share.

Gather bookmark supplies by printing worksheets and the bookmark template, and prepare ribbon, fabric pen or chalk, fabric scissors, and a felt piece at least 3 by 22 inches.

Cut the bookmark template along the black line with craft scissors. Stack two felt pieces, align the template, and trace around it with a visible marker.

Use fabric scissors to cut out your bookmark with even, deliberate cuts, keep pieces lined up as you turn and move past the line, then cut the ribbon.

In Kids Sewing 101, cut six ribbons to 12 inches using a ruler and scissors, pairing three white with three blue pieces that are close in length.

Set the sewing machine for a straight stitch and sew a felt bookmark with backstitch at the ends, remove pins, trim threads, and flip the bookmark to finish.

Learn topstitching techniques to sew a sturdy bookmark, aligning fabric with the presser foot, backstitching at ends, pivoting at edges, and finishing with decorative stitch options.

Learn to sew curves using a printable practice sheet, turn the paper as you sew, and align the presser foot to follow curved lines for your upcoming curved project.

Practice sewing curves by gently guiding fabric along dotted lines with slow speed, aligning the needle to the line. Learn to stop, trim threads, and prepare for the next project.

Download the pattern to sew a reversible apron, tape the children's one-piece and adult two-piece patterns, then cut front/back pieces 30 inches and 16-inch ties, and topstitch with chosen thread.

Pre-wash, dry, and iron your fabric to remove starch and sizing and prevent shrinkage. Wash bright colored fabrics separately to prevent dye bleed and ensure a smooth first project.

Cut out the children's apron pattern along the solid black line, or assemble the two-piece adult pattern by taping folds and matching triangles to form a diamond at the top.

Align front and back fabric folded together, pin the pattern, and cut the curve and length once to ensure matching pieces when unfolded, at 30 or 24 inches.

Learn to cut apron ties by marking four parallel four-inch lines with a quilter's ruler and fabric chalk, then cut and fold strips in half, pressing with right sides together.

Iron and crease four fabric ties by folding edges together and pressing in half, then sew along the edge and leave one end open to turn right sides out.

Finish sewing four ties by back-stitching the long side and one short end, pivoting as needed, trimming corners, turning right side out, and pressing before attaching them to the apron.

Pin and press the apron’s front and back, place neckties and waist ties one inch from the outer corners, align raw edges, and mark start and stop points.

Learn to sew the apron using a straight stitch, setting seam allowances, and backstitching, with pivoting at curves and turning the apron right side out for pressing.