5 Tips Sewing with Kids
5 Tips for Sewing with Kids
Sewing with kids can be a joyful, creative adventure—or, let’s be honest, a bit of a mess! Maybe you’re looking for a way to share your love of sewing. Or maybe you don’t know how to sew yourself, but your child wants to learn. With the right setup and a little patience, teaching kids to sew can unlock a lifelong skill that builds confidence, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.
As a former public school teacher and a lifelong sewist, I’ve seen students light up when they learn to sew. That’s why I created a step-by-step digital sewing course just for kids, designed to make sewing approachable, fun, and frustration-free—even if you’ve never sewn before yourself. You can learn more about the course here.
Before I share a special offer on the course, here are my top 5 tips for sewing with kids:
1. Start with the Right Tools
Using child-friendly sewing tools can make a huge difference. Opt for sharp, quality fabric scissors (used under supervision), a reliable sewing machine with a slow speed option, and clips in place of pins when possible. My students embrace using clips rather than pins. A magnetic pin holder and clips can also help little hands stay organized. Also, make sure to have a stool ready so their feet can reach the foot pedal on the sewing machine. Lastly, I like to tape a lego where the seam allowance is so kids can use the edge as a guide.
2. Break It Down Into Simple Steps
Kids thrive when instructions are clear and manageable. Instead of saying “Let’s sew a tote bag,” try breaking it down into bite-sized steps: choosing fabric, measuring and cutting, pinning pieces together, etc. This keeps the experience fun and prevents overwhelm. Showing them step-by-step helps them achieve small manageable parts of a project.
3. Let Kids Make Creative Choices
One of the best parts of sewing is the opportunity to express creativity. Let kids pick their fabrics—even if it means mixing polka dots with dinosaurs! When they feel ownership of the project, they’re more invested and excited about the outcome. I encourage students to stick to quilting cotton as the fabric is more stable than slippery or stretching substrates.
4. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
Sewing crooked lines or forgetting to backstitch is part of learning. Celebrate effort and improvement over “perfect” results. Mistakes are just part of the creative process—and sometimes, they even lead to better designs! I like to start each lesson with a warm-up. Sewing dot-to-dot worksheets helps students practice their sewing machine skills. You can download free practice sheets here.
5. Make It a Shared Experience
Sewing together builds connection. Whether you’re learning alongside your child or simply cheering them on, your involvement means the world. Some of the best memories are made stitching side by side at the kitchen table.
Ready to Start Sewing with Your Child?
I created a 6-module digital sewing course to walk kids through the basics of sewing—step by step, with video tutorials, printable patterns, and lots of encouragement.
Your child will learn:
- How to safely use a sewing machine
- Essential stitches and beginner-friendly techniques
- How to make 4 confidence-building projects
Perfect for ages 8 and up, this course is designed to be approachable whether your child is brand new to sewing—or you're learning right alongside them!
🎉 Special Limited-Time Offer: Save $50!
To celebrate the launch, I’m offering the full digital sewing course for just $98 (normally $148)—but only for a limited time!
If you’ve ever said, “I wish I’d learned how to sew as a kid,” this is your chance to pass that gift on to your child.
👉 Enroll HERE for just $98 and save $50
Let’s raise the next generation of creative makers—one stitch at a time.
