I am very keen to teach myself all sorts of things.. and sewing is one of them. Well, so long as they are interested that is. A while back Red Ted and made little nature bags, which he LOVED doing, so now I decided to have a go sewing Easy Lavender Bags with him. I saw these lavender bags over at Pink Pistachio and thought that they make a perfect project for small hands (any hands actually, but good for wee ones too). We have MANY More easy Sewing Projects for Kids her! And if you are looking for Tip for Teaching Kids to Sew, check this out!
The key to making these lavender bags pretty – is cute fabric, small ish in size and nice contrasting embroidery thread.
Easy Lavender Bags – Materials:
- fabric scraps approx 8cm x 5cm,
- embroidery thread,
- lavender,
- needle and
- pinking shears (zig zag scissors)
NOTE: We noticed that some needles where easier to pull through than others and some fabrics were stiffer than others. So try different ones with your little ones and do the harder ones yourself. Whatever makes sewing for your child easier!
How to make your Easy Lavender Bags
1) Cut out your fabric for your easy lavender bag. We used pinking shears, as they help stop the fabric from fraying afterwards.
2) Instead of tidying a knot when you begin, leave a small piece of thread at the beginning to use for tying at the end. Using a running stitch sew 3 sides of your rectangle.. Don’t worry about it being too even, you don’t notice wonky stitches at the end.
3) Fill you bag with lavender. Sew to the end and then knot your two pieces of thread. Done!
Pretty! Like with all “New skills”, you have to give your child a chance to try it again and again! Red Ted managed 1.5 sides of the first these easy lavender bags himself. Then got bored. The next day, we made another easy lavender bag together and he did one side. I sat with him and talked him through every stitch “up a bit, down a bit”… I think he did a great job. He is only 4.5yrs old and I am happy that he is even interested in giving it a go. By no means, can he do a whole bag himself and so neatly!! NOTE: I did the majority of the sewing. Please do not be dismayed if your child’s sewing isn’t like the above. This little lavender bags are great for any age group, to give sewing a go. They are relatively easy, look sweet and make great little gifts. Granny will be getting some lavender bags for her birthday for sure!
Check out our other lavender craft ideas:
Want more lavender ideas? Take a peak at our Lavender Craft Video:
Have you given sewing with kids a go? It really isn’t as hard as you think and you will find that the kids adore it! Check out our teaching kids to sew article! As well as our great Sewing Projects for Kids!
Rebecca says
August 1, 2012 at 6:52 amI really must try this. We have some pretty fabric. I was thinking I would need to punch holes but maybe we could try without.
Red Ted Art says
August 1, 2012 at 7:04 amDo try without – I found I had to try 2-3 different needles and some fabrics are easier than others. Red Ted did the “easy” ones and I did the “tricky” ones!
Aly says
August 1, 2012 at 7:17 amHow did he manage to get it so perfect??? My 6 year old is really struggling making hers.We have 10 to make to make for Christmas and I think it’ll take long to get them finished.Well done Red Ted 🙂
Red Ted Art says
August 1, 2012 at 8:13 amAly – he only did two sides in total. He couldn’t concentrate on more. This is totally a “start” to sewing, to get him interested and slowly (!) improving his skills. I sit with him and we literally do every stitch together – I say “up a bit, down a bit” etc. I probably (inadvertently) photographed the side I did. Don’t worry, ours wonky too. It is a start!!!!!
Red Ted Art says
August 1, 2012 at 8:14 amPS I think I need to make that clearer in the post. Will go back and amend!
Ali says
August 1, 2012 at 9:58 amWhat a lovely project, I am slapping myself in the head now….. pinking shears of course, there have often been little sewing projects that we have done and have been cursed by fraying (and me not hemming too) 🙂
Red Ted Art says
August 1, 2012 at 10:11 amYes, pinking shears are MAGIC, aren’t they!? I guess you still get a little fraying, but not so badly!
Liz Burton says
August 1, 2012 at 10:33 amThese are very cute. I haven’t tried sewing properly with DD yet. I wonder if she’d manage it?
Red Ted Art says
August 1, 2012 at 10:53 amAs per my comment to Aly – it is all about starting somewhere, sitting down together. Guiding. Putting it away. Doing some more later… etc basically A START!
Amy@Serving Pink Lemonade says
August 1, 2012 at 7:48 pmWhat a great little project for kids beginning to sew. Thanks so much for hosting the party each week. I love to stop by and link up when I have a new post.
Red Ted Art says
August 1, 2012 at 7:57 pmAaawwe thank you Amy!! Great to have you here and thank you for the lovely comment!
emma @ frog goose & bear says
August 2, 2012 at 4:58 amThese look adorable! Very cool fabric. A good way to use up some scraps. They are also very easy to make for kids a little older who are just learning to use a sewing machine. You can use the same shape and fill with rice or wheat and made heat bags for keeping cold hands warm in the winter. Which it is here in Oz at the moment!
The fairy and the frog says
August 2, 2012 at 9:49 pmGreat idea- can’t wait to get sewing with The Fairy (and The Frog too – but the wait will be much longer!)
Red Ted Art says
August 3, 2012 at 9:58 am@Emma – ooh yes, Red Ted is DYING to use the sewing machine! And love the idea of make heat bags out of them for winter pockets!
amber says
August 3, 2012 at 6:22 pmWhat a fun activity. I’ll never forget sewing lessons with my Grandma as a child.
dionne says
August 3, 2012 at 7:54 pmWhat a good idea for a first sewing project. We’ve just gone around the edge of course fabric to try stitching but a little pillow is the perfect mini starter task.
Red Ted Art says
August 3, 2012 at 8:30 pmI think it is “satisfying” for kids to be able to finish something! I just remembered that it is also helpful if you draw a pencil line to help children follow a “straight line”…
Jen Fischer says
August 4, 2012 at 2:26 pmI love these lavender bags and think we’ll definitely have to make some — and we’ll have to check out your other lavender options. We recently used the lavender we had to make some bath scrubs for my mom for her birthday and oat bath. We had so much fun. I need to get my post about it written!!
Red Ted Art says
August 4, 2012 at 2:39 pmOoooh yes, on our to do list too!!!
Bethany @ No Twiddle Twaddle says
August 5, 2012 at 11:37 amThose are really sweet. What a great idea to teach kids to sew.
Red Ted Art says
August 6, 2012 at 10:09 amThank you!
Rachelle | TinkerLab says
August 12, 2012 at 2:44 amThese are so cute, Maggy! I just love them. I hope it’s okay if I share them on my Creative Week round-up.
Red Ted Art says
August 12, 2012 at 8:36 amOf course! Please do!! I would be chuffed!
Trisha @ Inspiration Laboratories says
August 18, 2012 at 2:54 pmSo glad you talked about letting him come and go as he pleased and that it’s okay if kids don’t finish an activity. The trying is the important part. Thanks for sharing at the Sunday Showcase. 🙂
janey says
August 29, 2012 at 5:16 amRed Ted, this will be good for me and my boy ( grandson who is Austic )… he has trouble with his hands… they shake so bad he can’t do many things but he loves to watch me sew , by hand but most of all with my machine, it can write his name you know, that tickles him alot. but thank you very much for this tute I’m always looking for things for us to do together that he can learn, he is soon to be 14 years old but functions at a 4 to 6 yr. old level at some things, but he is so smart sometimes it amazes me… it’s like all this stuff is locked away in his brain and he can’t get much out… but i love him so much it amazes me that i have a love so deep for him, he just recently started staying the night with me… well i could go on & on about him…. but again thanks so much for this tute…
P.S. i will be making the spoon & fork wind chimes ( no drill involved ) with him too, he loves thrift stores, we will have fun shopping there for the silverware also…
Red Ted Art says
August 29, 2012 at 6:39 amAwe Janey, what a very lovely message to leave. I am glad you are finding things that you can enjoy together! I bet the “sensory” element of the lavender bags (they smell so lovely) will be nice for him too! And the windchimes and thrift store searching will be a great project together!