DIY: Sewing Kit for a Pre-Schooler

Here's a sewing kit which I made as a gift for a four-year-old friend's birthday. Because her mum's a graphic designer, they do a lot of art and craft at home. Her mum doesn't sew though. Now they can add sewing to their skills-set!

I like to make gifts so that my son can see that it's possible to make things rather than buying, and to show him that I value homemade items. The Bug helps where possible, cutting threads and holding pins, and he makes the cards and wrapping paper.

 The kit includes:

• A drawstring bag: I used Nicole Mallalieu's excellent tutorial here. I embroidered our friend's name on a patch, using the hessian/ burlap and yarn I'm putting in the kit. 

• an embroidery hoop with a square of hessian/ burlap in her favorite colour. I pre-threaded and knotted the plastic yarn needle with yarn, doubling the thread so the yarn doesn't slip off the needle.

• -some more pre-cut squares of hessian/ burlap

• a needle book: the outside is felt, and the inside is a remnant of hessian/ burlap. I cut a rectangle out of the felt, and a slightly smaller rectangle of the hessian/ burlap. I then placed the hessian on the felt and folded them both in half like a book. After that I just sewed a seam up the 'spine', and embroidered her name on the front. For a really pretty needlebook, see this tutorial by Jo's Place.

•  two plastic needles- the large, blunt type used for sewing up knitted garments
• a selection of coloured yarns

I didn't include scissors because I prefer to leave scissor choices to the parents as they know their kids best. Also, I can't be blamed for any impromptu haircuts.


My Bug has been sewing like this since he was two, but at three he's really ready for it and finds it more achieveable and fun.