I started sewing when my oldest children were ages 3 and 5. They watched me struggle and learn, and understood that this was a skill for anyone. Soon they were asking for needle and thread to embroider, for time behind the sewing machine, to learn how to quilt and rotary cut!

With Elora, it’s been different. She’s toddled about while the longarm machine hums over customer quilts. Mama can make surprising things. Mama is a teacher. Mama works in that sewing room. A naturally cautious soul, Elora is still content to iron and cut with pretend tools and to pet the fabrics.

But it was time. She is 6 years old and requested a drawstring bag for her gym shoes. “You can sew that!” I told her. And so yesterday, we did.

She chose a pink fabric with yellow butterflies and yellow strawberry trim - both Heather Ross fabrics (good taste, eh?). She ironed the fabrics. I cut them. I sewed the small casing pieces. She placed pins and sewed the perimeter of the bag. To ease a first sewing experience

Opt for a generous 3/8” seam. It’s easier than a 1/4”.
Stick contrasting washi tape on the needle plate to provide a clear seam guide.
Set the machine to slow speed.
Control the foot pedal for her so that she can focus on guiding the fabric, and you can stop sewing if fingers get too close to that needle.

This drawstring bag is a simple and fun first sewing project. We followed Svetlana of SOTAK Handmade’s tutorial, but cut pieces a little larger to yield a larger bag (9.5” x 12” for the bag and 2” x 9.5” for the casings).

Hey, Elora, let’s show them your finished bag!

Yep, that’s one cute girl - I mean, bag.

I love Heather Ross fabrics, especially for children. You can find them in the UK at Purple Stitches and in the USA at Quilt Sandwich, Sojo Fabric and Fat Quarter Shop.

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