My Handwork Studio ~ A Fashion and Needle Arts Community for Kids!

September is Sewing Month and Why You Should Celebrate with Your Child

Use of Fine Motor Skills

In our studios, we begin teaching machine sewing in 3rd grade. We pick this age because we feel kids at this age have a certain amount of fine motor skills that allow them to work somewhat independently in a classroom setting. If you are teaching a child one to one, I think you could begin much younger than 3rd grade. Machine sewing helps to develop these fine motor skills. Learning to pin, cut, seam rip and thread a needle all help to reinforce the use of fine motor skills.

Math Skills

In machine sewing you need to use a lot of math to create a project. Whether you are using fractions to determine seam allowances, addition and subtraction to adjust patterns, or measurements of length to determine how much fabric you’ll need, math is critical to the successful outcome of your project.

Patience

Kids are growing up in a computerized world of immediate results. However, learning how you can break down a big project into manageable steps is an important life skill to master no matter the task. This teaches kids patience. A common expression in machine sewing and one we use with our students often is “your seam ripper is your best friend”. Children quickly learn you need a lot of patience to complete a project and that sometimes you have to go backward before you go forward. Machine sewing is a perfect exercise for showing children that by breaking things down step by step, you will eventually finish your project and accomplish your goal.

Confidence

Nothing makes children feel better about themselves than when they complete a project. It doesn’t matter if it was well sewn or hanging together by a thread, you have never seen bigger smiles. I run into kids all the time wearing self made hoodies in 80 degree weather or shorts in the middle of winter so they can proudly show the world their designs.

 

 

 

Bonding

Machine Sewing is a wonderful opportunity to bond with your child. If you don’t sew, this is something you can learn together. If you do sew, you can spend time together building your child’s self esteem and confidence while sharing your crafting space.  It will make them feel so special.   Also, if you have a grandparent or relative who sews, this is a way to connect the generations. Grandma may not understand iPods, technology or her grandchild's choice in music, but she can share her stories while they make a dress for a party, a cool room decoration or a gift for mom.

Regardless of your motivation to teach your child machine sewing, know that you are giving them joy, building their confidence and giving them skills that will last  a lifetime.