Remember to backstitch on each end so the seam does not unravel. They stitched a seam on the line down the long edge, pivot and turned, and sewed one short end. The kids thought the real sewing was easier after the paper sewing practice. They will learn about seam width on a future project. This allowed them to sew on a line like they did on the paper. I used a pen and drew a line ½ inch from the edge around two sides of the rice bag. Next, they pinned around the edge to hold the fabric in place as they sewed. In this step, don’t forget to fold the fabric with the right sides of the fabric together. Tip: If you purchased a fat quarter, just cut it in half.Įach seamster (that word makes me laugh, it sounds like gangster) folded the flannel in half the long way, a hot dog fold. So, each ¼ yard made two DIY Easy-to-Sew Microwavable Rice Packs. The piece of flannel for each child was ¼ yard of flannel, cut in half at the center fold. We were already having fun, but the grands were really excited about getting started on the real thing, their very own DIY Easy-to-Sew Microwavable Rice Pack! Cut and fold the fabric How to Sew a DIY Easy-to-Sew Microwavable Rice Pack To sew and hold the lever took quite a bit of coordination. Tip: I held the backstitch lever while they sewed. Lastly, they learned to backstitch at the beginning and the end of their seam and clip the threads. The kids were really excited to learn this and they were able to do a pivot-turn on their own after being shown. Use the hand wheel to stitch till at the corner, put the needle down in to the paper, lift the presser foot, pivot the paper to the new direction, put the presser foot down, and begin to sew once again. Slow down the machine and then stop stitching a short distance from the corner. The second skill is to pivot and turn on the corners. The seamsters soon discovered that they had to direct the paper or the machine would sew willy-nilly. This is the seam size of this project, 4/8 inch (½ inch). The paper sewing has a straight line that goes around the paper at 4/8 inches from the edge. Most of the pictures were of the 9 year old, FYI. How to Sew a straight seamĮach child was eager to give it a whirl and diplomatically decided to take their turns from youngest to oldest.

Lastly with a demonstration by me, they learned about starting the seam, backstitching, and sewing a straight line. I stayed right by their side as they worked and continued to coach them about this part. Next came some safety instruction about the needle movement and how to keep their fingers to the side, out of the way of the needle. I’m still intrigued with that part of sewing. Teaching Sewing Safetyįirst we talked a bit about how a sewing machine works. Download your WTN Free Paper Sewing Pattern for a DIY Easy-to-Sew Microwavable Rice Pack here. Here is a free paper sewing pattern for you to use to teach your little sewers how to sew. Sewing on paper is easy to control and there is a drawn line to sew on.

Paper sewing works really well for a new sewer (the dictionary says that boy and girls that sew are sewers or seamsters, I looked it up). We started with a bit of sewing on paper. But, with help, these 8, 9 and 11 year old’s nailed it! How to Practice Sewing for Beginners You will need to use your discernment about whether your little sewer is coordinated and ready to use the electric sewing machine. I wasn’t sure if all of them would be excited about learning more about sewing, but they were. I explained that each child would get to sew their own rice bag, a DIY Easy-to-Sew Microwavable Rice Pack! Choosing the different fabrics for each of the kids was a blast. “What is this for, Nana?” came from several directions as the contents of the stockings were emptied. Jump to Tutorial Christmas flannel mystery!Įach grand received a little square of folded flannel in their Christmas stocking this year.

Moso bag in microwave