Last Sunday I taught Miss L how to make her very first doll. This is an easy method for a 5 year old to start learning about sewing. First I asked Miss L to draw a doll on some sparkle construction paper. (That's why she has polka dots everywhere.) Then we took it to the window to trace the outline to a new piece of paper for the back.
Next step was to scan in the drawings and print them out on the special paper-backed fabric that they make for ink jet printers. I showed Miss L how to thread a needle (wow! she's a whiz at that!) and then how to make a knot. That'll take her some time to master. Then I had her take a few stitches. Hmm, the only problem was that this fabric is super thick and hard to hand-stitch through. So I started to sew it.
If we were at my house I would've whipped it out on the sewing machine. Luckily my friend Trena had one of these little cuties in yellow. Interesting to sew with, but it did the trick. Miss L then used my Gingher's to cut along the stitching. Of course my heart was in my mouth the whole time. But she did a great job. Then she stuffed her doll and I closed up the last seam. Miss L didn't like how the doll's head had a crinkle at the top so she chose a ribbon and I tacked it on. Miss L tied the bow and ta-da! her first doll. I think that she did a fantastic job! She even asked when we would make another one.
It is so cute!
Posted by: mo | May 24, 2007 at 09:30 AM
you did a good job of guiding her and she did great.
Posted by: shashi | May 25, 2007 at 01:52 PM
Fabulous idea! I want to race right home and try this with my daughter...
Posted by: samantha | May 30, 2007 at 02:44 PM
You did such a good job of teaching the little girl to sew. I think I should start with my miss.n too.
Posted by: Heera | June 01, 2007 at 09:13 AM
This is adorable! I have a 5 year old also...she's been wanting to sew and make little dolls and animals and stuff, but she calls it "needleing". lol!
Posted by: Lauri | June 25, 2007 at 05:59 PM