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Beginner Sewing Crafts

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New Sewing Craft Learned Every Year

Beginner sewing craft projects consumed most of my childhood summers. Learning how to crochet, knit, needlepoint, even doing crewel embroidery, made the time pass. These easy sewing projects became handmade gifts from the heart for friends and family members. A needlepoint eyeglass case here, a cross-stitched dish towel there. One summer crewel embroidered pillows populated my days. Crochet hooks, embroidery thread and knitting needles danced their way around my fingers as I learned how to crochet, how to needlepoint, how to crewel embroider everyday items.

Giving my little projects as gifts added a layer of meaning. I would think about the person as I planned and worked on the piece. Off I'd go to the Woolworth's to get the needed supplies. An embroidered pillow case might be perfect for my mom one year. A fancy pot holder created using a knitting spool might be for my grandmother the next. No one escaped my bounty.

The Benefits of Learning a Sewing Craft

Remember the Curly Locks nursery rhyme?

Do you remember the nursery rhyme, Curly Locks? While I don't remember the strawberries and cream, I do remember the days I sewed a fine seam.

Curly Locks, Curly Locks,
Will you be mine?
You shall not wash dishes,
Nor feed the swine,
But sit on a cushion
And sew a fine seam,
And sup upon strawberries, sugar, and cream.

As an adult, I can see now how helpful it was that I learned new skills, increased hand-eye coordination, and attempted to perfect the fine art of patience. When you're constantly learning something new and it requires a certain level of precision, mistakes will be made. I remember pulling stitches and having to start over until I got it right. But for me, as a small child, it was the smile and the warm words from others coupled with that little burst of pride inside that I remember most when, at the end of a year's work, everyone opened their presents.

 

Has Gift-Giving Changed?

Share your thoughts. Then scroll down to review the different sewing crafts, watch quick how-to videos, and see beginner craft kits.

Given today's culture, would you or would you encourage your child to give handmade gifts to friends and relatives?

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Sure, why not? A handmade gift has special meaning.

YayasHome says:

Absolutely! A gift that is handmade is most often a gift from the heart. Too many times, I've seen people jus' grab something so's they can get the buying over with; no thought to whether the recipient will enjoy it or not.

jenniferteacher says:

These days, it seems like people buy things they want when they want them. Because of this, I think homemade gifts are more important than ever.

marsha32 says:

My entire family knows they will get at least one thing that I've made. My middle daughter makes different things than I do like oragami and hand made cards. They are all made with love.

TheLittleCardShop says:

Of course! It adds a very personal touch

hayleylou says:

My boys just made their Grandma a necklace for her birthday - she loved it !

Nope, give me a real gift or a gift card. Don't need anything else to junk up the place.

 
view all 9 comments

Easy Sewing Craft Kits

Remember the Knitting Nancy?

Knitting Tower or Knitting Nancy (with Yarn)

Today you can buy these wonderful spool knitters ready-made, but my grandmother made mine out of an empty wooden spool and a few nails. It was fun to do and my best friend and I would see how long we could make our tubes of yarn. You can make belts, bags, hats, even hot pads.

How to Knit Using a Spool

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Cross-stitch Using Patterns and Kits

Easy Butterfly Cross Stitch Kit

I remember the big cross-stitch year. My grandmother never had so many potholders, toaster covers and aprons as she did that Christmas Small hand towels with cross-stitched hearts and flowers went to my mom and aunt. In the beginning I preferred the canvas with the printed patterns but after awhile I got used to counting cross stitches to make my projects.

How to Cross Stitch

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Most Kids Learned to Crochet

Quick and easy Granny Squares crochet kit

Alex Granny Squares Crochet Kit in Carry Case

I think everyone learned how to crochet when I was young. Since I spent a lot of time up north, crocheting mittons, hats, and scarves was time well spent. But there were fun things to do, too, like skirts for dolls and tissue box covers. The Granny squares were easy and fun, and they could be turned into all kinds of things.

How to Crochet

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It's Not Cruel to Crewel--Embroider, That Is.

Crewel Embroidery Craft Sewing Kit

Learn-A-Craft Believe In Yourself Crewel Embroidery Kit: 6" Round

When I tried my hand at crewel embroidery, I fell in love. There was so much you could do. It was like painting but with yarn. This love of crewel work stayed with me well past my twenties. I often would pick up crewel embroidery kits when I traveled so I could recreate my memories.

How to Crewel

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Needlepoint Your Way Into Hearts

Beginner needlepoint kit is a great way to learn the sewing craft

Colorbok Dog Learn To Sew Needlepoint Kit, 6-Inch by 6-Inch Red Frame

Then there was the year I tried needlepoint. Needless to say friends and families had little needlepoint squares of flowers, birds, and animals framed and ready to hang. I would sit for hours pulling and pushing the needle as the design took shape out of blue, brown, red, and yellow yarn or embroidery thread. I have fond memories of watching my mom do needlepoint and we still have many of the pieces she created from kits bought from the Smithsonian museum.

How To Needlepoint

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Knit One, Purl Two - The Knitting Song

Alex Chunky and Funky Scarf Beginner's Knitting Kit in Box

Maybe bits of thread floats through my veins. Both grandmothers could make their knitting needles clack. My maternal grandmother was a master knitter. I remember her being able to knit an entire woman's suit in one day. She often said that was how she earned money while my grandfather was away fighting World War I. I still have afghans she made out of squares. My mother was an actress in "little" theater and often made the costumes she or others would need for a play. I guess growing up amidst the flurry and fury of needles, thread and yarn, it was only natural that sewing crafts would mark my ages.

How to Knit

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What was your favorite sewing craft gift to give?

Toaster covers, potholders, aprons and dish towels

I've shared my memories, now how about yours? What was your favorite sewing craft? Or did you do something else. Let us know.

  • marsha32 Oct 27, 2011 @ 7:21 pm | delete
    I crochet hotpads, washcloths and dishscrubbies. They have always been a welcome gift. Last year I sewed quilted hot pads.
  • TheLittleCardShop Mar 13, 2011 @ 10:25 am | delete
    I've made embroidered towels and Holiday ornaments but that was a few years ago
  • poutine Mar 10, 2011 @ 9:49 am | delete
    I like to make place mats and give them as gifts.
  • GiftsBonanza Mar 7, 2011 @ 5:22 am | delete
    I wish I had learned to sew when I was younger... perhaps its never too late to learn?
  • MisTikkal Mar 6, 2011 @ 6:42 am | delete
    I went a little crazy when I had my gorgeous girl. Made some matching outfits for us, but mostly things for her and her bedroom - sewing, crocheting, and a few knitted goodies. These days I do very little ... gee I wonder why lol
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  • YayasHome Nov 22, 2011 @ 5:31 am | delete
    One of my grammas taught me how to do all kindsa' needlework before I was six years old. Unfortunately, we we moved away we didn't see her again for many years. During that time, I forgot all I had learned. Now, I wish I could remember all those won'erful crafts.
  • Kimbesa Mar 18, 2011 @ 9:22 pm | delete
    Wonderful showcase...thanks!
  • TheLittleCardShop Mar 13, 2011 @ 10:27 am | delete
    Very nice lens :) I might go back to do some, it was so realxing to watch a tv show while doing some crafts
  • hayleylou Mar 8, 2011 @ 9:52 pm | delete
    I have never been any good at sewing, but am thinking about maybe looking at cross stitching
  • GiftsBonanza Mar 7, 2011 @ 5:42 am | delete
    Great lens with some lovely crafting ideas
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