Sewing Business Blog

Projects for Kids to Help Make

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I’m always on the lookout for things the grandchildren can “help” make – they LOVE to help, and I figure it also stimulates their little creative brains, and who knows what they might come up with later on that we can work on.

The first little project is for a snake bookmark — now EVERY child needs a snake bookmark in his / her books.


The instructions are simple – enlarge the squares to equal 1″ squares, and follow the diagram for drawing the snake.  Cut two of the snake pattern, one yellow and the other green.  Sew, or glue, gold rickrack to the green piece, which will be the top of the snake.  Glue the two pattern pieces together, leaving the head free.  Sew two small red beads to the head for eyes and a small red felt piece for the tongue.  Stuff the head with cotton and whip-stitch the heads together.

The next little project is one that an older child can help make for a baby brother or sister – a washcloth bib.

To make the bib you’ll need a solid color washcloth, some embroidery cotton and seam binding.

Fold the washcloth in half, as shown in the small diagram, then turn down each corner for ears, as shown in the second small diagram.  Stitch the ears in place.  Embroider eyes, nose and mouth on the bib.  Sew matching seam binding on for the ties.

These even make cute little gifts for someone who is expecting a baby or as part of a baby shower gift.

For other “gift idea” patterns check out the craft patterns at SewWithSarah.com.  Ready made gifts are available in the Gift Shop.  Check your list and see what all we have that might be the perfect gift for them!

Have You Made Crinkle Toys Lately?

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Crinkle toys, crinkle teething blankets, etc are so much fun to make, and twice as much fun watching the little ones play with them.  Their little faces just light up with joy when they squeeze and crinkle the toys and listen to the noice the crinkly fabric makes.

For years I’ve made small and large crinkle toys for our grandchildren and for relatives / friends’ children.  These crinkle toys can be made in the colors of the nursery for the lucky child, or just made of scraps.  The end result is the same — FABULOUS gifts!  Here’s a picture of a few that I made using nursery colors:

The big ears on the elephant are so crinkly and easy for the little ones to grab hold of and play with or chew on!   (The crinkle material / toys ARE washable and dryable using a short cool cycle, such as for lingerie.)  You can see the information about the crinkle toys patterns at SewWithSarah.com 
You can also get the full size patterns WITH enough crinkle material to make each of the items at my Etsy Store.

For those of you into crafting or wanting to use up some of those sewing room scraps, you could add some extra income by making and selling crinkle toys!  Think about it – every dollar you can make from various sewing avenues, will certainly help to Raise The Bottom Line in your business.

Wearable Art

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Embellishing has become a national pastime for people of all ages!  From a simple applique to a dazzling design that thrills the eyes, you can certainly say that when it comes to embellishment – anything goes!  T-shirts and sweatshirts are the primary objects of embellishment although certainly not the only possibilities.  You can use the jewels, sequins, buttons and other trims on purses, shoes, belts, jeans and shorts, hair bands and bracelets, just for starters.

To get you started, try the razzle dazzle studded belt, or go for the trimmed sneakers.  Your friends will probably want you to make them a pair too!

STUDDED BELT

Make this lavishly studded belt in one evening, have a great deal of fun doing it and make a fashion statement in the morning.  Friends will rave about this ornamental belt and they won’t believe that you didn’t spend lots of money on it, much less that you made it yourself!

Start with a cloth or leather belt in the desired color (TIP: you may already have one in your closet that will work).  Adorn it with an assortment of gold and silvertone rivets, multi-shape Western motifs and colorful crystals.  There are many shapes, styles and colors to choose from on the market these days that won’t put a large dent in your pocketbook.  Remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for attaching your trinkets or try using a small hammer to push the rivets through and finish turning the points under on the other side.  Just follow your instincts on placement and you’re sure to have a gorgeous finished belt!

SNAPPY SNEAKERS

Use bright add-ons like these to give your sneakers pizzazz!  For kids age 5 to 95!  Buy precut vinyl shapes (hearts, lips, lightning bolts, circles, arrows, etc), small bows and beads at your local craft store.  Give all of these items to your kids and show them how to use glue to attach them to a plain pair of canvas sneakers.  Add beads to the shoe laces for a finishing touch.  Children will have loads of fun assembling them and they’ll have happy feet when they’re done!

New Pattern Designer In Our Family!

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My granddaughter, now 11 and part of a set of quadruplets, started “making things” when she was old enough to use a pair of kids scissors.

Sarah had previously made things from paper and cardboard, from very intricate snowflakes to cardboard box “stores” where she would “sell” her handmade items to her siblings and grandmother for a penny or two.

This past year she has been learning to sew – both hand sewing and machine sewing.  She LOVES creating and her “I do it myself” attitude (first words out of her mouth when learning to talk!) gives her the confidence to try things and figure out how to complete her projects.

The Narwhal stuffed toy (done entirely without help) is the first pattern and project she has agreed for us to put up for sale for her.  She drew every pattern piece, cut the fabric and handstitched the toy without asking for, or accepting, any help!  She has asked us to put any and all dollars she makes from the sales of her patterns into a college fund for her.

Narwhal stuffed toy

What do you think about the newest addition to our family of pattern designers and her Narwhal Fleece Stuffed Toy Pattern?