Tips and tricks to get youngsters interested in embroidery
If your kids are interested in fabric painting or painting in general, it is often advisable to introduce them to the art of embroidery. Embroidery inspires creativity, innovation and can even turn into a career opportunity like costume designing.
Embroidery is fundamentally the process of ornamenting a piece of cloth by making patterns on it using thread and needles. Youngsters can be encouraged to take up embroidery as a hobby and they can practise it on their favourite handkerchiefs and pillow covers. They can also make small gifts like bags for family and friends. This will not only foster creativity and imagination, but also create new ways of expressing themselves. In a world driven by technology, embroidery is still a viable real-life pastime that helps kids focus, become patient and improve their concentration as well as hand-eye coordination. Here are some tips and tricks to introduce embroidery to kids.
Basics must be made clear in the very beginning
Before going on to the intricacies of embroidery, youngsters need to be taught the basic stitches: How to fasten the burlap or how to safely put the thread through the needle. They should also be made familiar with the basic tools of embroidery. Teach simple stitches like running stich, back stitch and cross stitch before moving on to advanced level embroidery. Showing them and then asking them to do it themselves in front of you will improve their confidence as well as the skill. Using thicker yarn that is often easier to handle is a good way to start their practice stitches.
Lessons must be short, precise and fun
The key is to teach a little, but in precision, so that the youngsters instantly get interested. The instructions should be straightforward and easy to follow, to capture their short attention span. Rushing through the process or teaching too much at once should be avoided, as it is a delicate and time-consuming art. Moreover, introducing fun-filled themes and ideas like creating rainbows or animals using a range of bright colours will further arouse their interest and keep them going. Group activities, interactive sessions and healthy competitions on embroidery will also help in the process of learning.
Ensure proper safety measures
Teach your youngster to handle sharp tools like scissors and needles carefully and diligently. Embroidery cannot be done without these. So, make sure that you supervise your kids as they sew. Also, teach your kids the safety measures they need to follow as they stitch.
Buy kid-friendly embroidery kits
There are kid-friendly embroidery kits available in the market. The needles and scissors are far less dangerous and are made such that reduces the risk of injury. These kits also come with a lot of colour options in threads and yarns. This will encourage youngsters to carry on with their artwork and improvise from time to time.