Sewing a Softie with Kids

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As you may know, I am a great fan of sewing with kids. I started my kids sewing (ie holding a needle!!) at around 2.5yrs – it really is never “too early”.. and it is all about using real equipment and working with them.. but I digress.. I have a great article on Teaching Kids To Sew, as well as Sewing Projects for Kids for you to check out!! Today is all about Sewing a Softie with Kids and the “Sew a Softie Day” challenge. Sew a Softie day is  a project started by Trixie Symonds (author of Sew Together Grow Together US/ UK), over on Coloured Buttons. Trixie is MASSIVELY passionate about getting our new generation of kids to sew. Not only to prevent it from becoming a “lost art”, but because most kids actually rather like it!!! So if you have never really giving sewing with kids a go, take up the challenge with us now and GET SEWING!!!!! In our house, my kids love it so much that they often PESTER ME to make MORE. Yep. I can barely STOP them from sewing (not that I would want to).

Sew.. our sew a softie project were some furry rabbits.

sew a softie with kids - kids love sewing and this a super simple and fun project

Pip Squeak (6) had her eye on some furry fabric for AGES and was desperate to buy some and have a go. Now fluffy fabric CAN be a little harder to sew (certainly by machine), because it is quite bulky – so “tight corners” should be avoided. Having said that. Once we pinned the project in a funny sort of way, my kids found sewing with it easier. As their “bigger and looser” stitches showed less!

We started off with Pip Squeak designing a softie:

sew a softie with kids

The key to sewing a softie with kids, is to keep it simple and 2D

Pip Squeak drew her bunny.

I then PINNED out a rough bunny shape x 2 for her. I discussed with her, that the ears would probably have to be wider, as turning fat fabric inside out can be tricky. Once she was happy with what I had pinned out. I cut the two pieces (right sides facing inwards), leaving 1.5cm boarder (the boarder as wider than usual, again, allowing for the material)

sew a softie bunny with kids

Pip Squeak got sewing. I sewing a lot of the “round bits” and “corners” for her, whilst she did all of the straight bits. Leaving a gap on the side of the bunny.

Snip the fabric around the corners to allow for better turning.

We then turned it inside out.

We stuff our bunny with the stuffing from an old pillow – making this super economical. Remember – you do NOT need stuffing in the EARS. You want them floppy.

sew a softie rabbit with kids

I sewed the softie shut for her (she is only 6!) and I also finished off the ears for her – by adding some contrasting fabric (selected by her) and cut with pinking shears (to avoid fraying), sewing it onto the ear. I then “pinched” the bottom of the ear and sewed it, to give it some shape.

sewing a softie with kids

We then went through my button stash together to select eyes and nose – which I then sewed on for Pip Squeak.

Finished.

sewing with boys

When her brother came home from a visit to a friends house, he was so impressed.. that HE decided to sew one of his own.

sewing a softie with boys

The kids added some triangular scarves (cut with pinking shears and knotted) and then took the diy softie bunnies out on an adventure.

They were both SO SO SOOOO proud of their worked and enjoyed bringing them in for show and tell!

Now.. this is part of the Sew a Softie Day challenge. Hop over and explore what everyone else is making this month too! Check out this cute Monster Softie too.

Remember, kids should ENJOY sewing and it is a crucial part of teaching kids to sew… so let the kids to as much or little as they wont, but keep them interested!

How To Teach Kids to Sew - if you are thinking of teaching your kids to sew, here is a great guide with some pointers to get them started!

Check out  more Sewing Projects for Kids here:

10+ Sewing Project for Kids - lovely kids projects that will help teaching kids to sew!

I do hope you join in with sew a softie day!