Easy Sewing Ideas for Kids: Stuffed Animal Clothes and Accessories

Sewing is a valuable skill that can save you money, make you money, and inspire you and your kids. Basic sewing is easy enough that anyone can do it and supplies are generally cheap enough so that you can practice freely. Whether you are a pro on your sewing machine or you've just begun stocking your sewing kit, these easy sewing ideas are great for you and your kids.

Easy Sewing Ideas for Kids: Stuffed Animal and Baby Clothing

While you may not be skilled enough to make your kid's clothing, you can make your kid's baby's clothing. If your daughter's fond of her stuffed animals, cabbage patch dolls, and Barbie dolls, and loves to play house, now is the time to teach her the value in being domestic.

Materials Needed

Though any fabric will do for these ideas, without a sewing machine, fraying is a concern. Fleece and knit fabrics, such as t-shirt material, won't fray. When perusing the crafts store, look for clearance bins or bags filled with these materials. Or use an old t-shirt. If you've got extra fabric lying around the house, you can still use it, just be sure to apply iron-on glue along the edges, prior to cutting. Fabric shears are ideal, but not necessary, as long as you've got a pair of relatively sharp scissors. In addition, you'll need Velcro and a thin ribbon or similar material to make a purse handle.

Easy Sewing Ideas for Kids: A Barbie Handbag

If your daughter loves Barbie dolls, have her sew a fashionable purse or overnight bag for her doll. If you have more than one fabric to choose from, have your child select the fabric. Then have her cut the fabric to about 2.5 x 3.5 inches (vary the size depending on the type of bag). Fold the bag in half and sew along the sides, using a sewing machine or good, old-fashioned needle and thread. Sew or glue a handle to either side. Attach Velcro inside as a closure for the purse. Add glitter or rhinestones.

Easy Sewing Ideas for Kids: Bib and Cloth Diaper

If she's got a favorite baby, easy sewing ideas include making a bib and cloth diaper. Have her cut out an oval for the bib. Then cut along the top of the oval, about one inch down, tracing along the shape of the bib, to create an opening to go around the neck. Attach Velcro at the end. For the diaper, have the child measure the doll's butt and then cut out a rectangle, sized to fit. Fold the rectangle in half and stitch on either side. Cut out one hole on either side along the bottom corners.

Easy Sewing Ideas for Kids: T-shirt and Dress

A slightly more complicated sewing idea is to create a t-shirt and dress. Consider using a stretchy material. Fold a piece of fabric, larger than the width of the doll, in half. Starting from the bottom, about two inches in on other side, cut up the fabric at an angle (as if cutting out a triangle) until you are about three inches from the top. The remaining flaps on either side will be turned into sleeves. Cut the flaps to fit the dolls arms and then sew along the edges of the body and sleeves. Cut out a neck hole.