Plastic Canvas Sewing
Cell phones and other electronic device cases are made using plastic canvas and yarn. These projects are hand sewn in minutes and great for teaching basic sewing skills to older children. Using plastic canvas has the benefit of offering quick removal if a mistake is made. Rough edges are trimmed away to make the projects wearable and avoid skin abrasions. Plastic canvas is available in multiple colors, enabling creative design choices and unique finished products.
Home Sewing Projects
Beginner projects include making pot holders, table runners, napkins or placemats. These projects use only straight seams and pivoting techniques and give the novice seamstress the opportunity to practice turning a project from inside-out to right-side-out. In some instances, the seamstress will also learn to use a corner tool and mitering techniques to produce pointed corners. In most projects, the novice seamstress can also learn ironing techniques essential to preparing and finishing projects.
Beginner Fashion Sewing
Older children, teens and adults can make winter hats and scarves using only straight stitch settings on the sewing machine. Other fashion projects for beginners include purses and tote bags that include zippers and gussets which also only require sewing straight lines. For a beginner wishing to add more dimension to their projects, pockets and other embellishments can be added. Elements can be purchased or created by hand.
Organizers
Organizer projects typically only require the knowledge and ability to guide your scissors and sewing machine in straight lines. In addition to sewing knowledge, making organizers develops the skill of pinning layers together and removing pins as you sew. Make organizer pockets that hang from a belt or organizers with tie straps to be hung from a crib or on the back of a door. Finishing off the organizer with bias tape will teach machine pivoting techniques and how to miter corners through fabric folding or snipping.