Schools Out! Summer Sewing for Kids

For most of us, the Summer Holidays have just begun and for the few that still have a couple of more random days to endure, we feel you! But with six weeks stretching ahead of you, we understand it can be a juggle to keep everyone happy and occupied. Whether you want to make some new summer clothes for your little ones or get them sewing themselves we have the patterns, the fabrics and the classes for you... We have a large range of patterns for children's clothes (and for teenagers too) which can be found online or come and browse our new pattern room for inspiration and advice. As well as Burda and New Look we stock Oliver & S, Minikrea and Green Bee, plus Merchant & Mills, Megan Neilson and The Avid Seamstress all have a spin-off children's range of some of their popular adult patterns. Perfect for making matching mini-me garments - especially when we can guarantee you will have outfit-envy!   The Avid Seamstress' Girl's Gathered Dress would be lovely made in Nani Iro Double Gauze for a breezy summer garment. Try Megan Nielson's Mini Tania Culottes in a summery printed lawn or a drapey twill chambray. Or how about pairing the Merchant & Mills Trapezette Dress with Merchant and Mills Laundered Linen for a supersoft dress with lots of movement, or needlecord in a bold colour for an autumnal garment. We love to bring independent pattern makers to the attention of our customers and we are really happy to be stockists of new, Chichester-based designers 'Two Stitches'. Established in 2015 by Eternal Maker owner Anna Hodgson, pattern designer/dressmaker Dhurata Davies and graphic designer, Sarah Bonnar, the brand have released eight classic children's garments with distinctive modern twists, suitable for beginners through to advanced sewers. We stock all the Two Stitches patterns both online and in store, and love the attention to details such as the wide age-range they cover (6 months- 9 years in one pattern!), the easy to follow diagrams and instructions, and the lovely craft paper packaging. We spoke to founder Anna who told us that following the very successful release of the Zoe Dress in March this year, they are already in the testing stages of another new pattern! We will be sure to let you know when this one drops, so stay tuned. Talking of the Zoe dress, the design lends itself to many variations for a really original and fun garment. You can see that we made ours up in two different fabrics for a busy pattern-clash effect which really showcases the concealed in-seam pockets. Another cute twist can be found on the Two Stitches website: download a free pattern for a pocket puppy applique based on Anna's own dog Athos (who incidentally has his own Instagram account @the_lone_musketeer!) Sewing is becoming a popular hobby for children too, and happily, we have seen a rise in budding junior sewers (sewists?!) and customers. We stock the wonderful Machine Stars Patterns which are aimed at younger makers - they can choose from useful items such as a book bag, a wraparound skirt, a bedroom tidy or an apron (which we use in the class below!) During the Summer Holidays we are running children's sewing classes for kids of 8 years and older: our workshops encourage creativity, as well as improving self-confidence, patience and fine motor skills! The two different sessions can lead on from each other or be taken in isolation depending on skill. The Children's Introduction to Machine Sewing Part 1 is for kids who have never used a sewing machine before or have had a go at using one briefly but would like more practice. In a small class of just 4 maximum, we will familiarise your child with the machine itself and teach them all the basic skills of machine sewing to give to the confidence to start simple projects on your own. By the end of this 3-hour session, they will have cut and made an apron in their size from Ray Stitch fabric, ready to wear home! The first of these sessions is already sold out but we still have some space for the class on the 9th August, and could look to run more classes if demand is there so please get in touch if you are interested in another date. In the Children's Intro to Machine Sewing Part 2, more experienced children can take the next step to further their skills. During this 3 hour workshop, they will accomplish some essential techniques that will help them advance to more complicated projects. By the end of the class, they will have made a fully lined, zip-up backpack with pocket using Ray Stitch fabric, perfect for carrying books & other bits and bobs! Booking now for the 1st and 15th August. Whether your little one is taking a class, sewing at home or you are making for the kids in your life, we have a wide range of fun printed fabrics to appeal to them or even the inner child in you! Check out the selection that can be found here, including vintage cars and planes, cute fluffy clouds, forest animals and birds. Enjoy the school summer holidays, and your summer sewing!     ​