Though it does take a bit of patience, teaching children to needlepoint is not difficult. Following a few basic guidelines will ensure a pleasant and rewarding experience for you and your small student.
1. Wait Until the Child is Ready
It's easy to decide as an adult that we want to teach a child a new skill, but sometimes they are just not ready. It's best to wait until a child shows interest in a project before trying to teach them. A willing mind is definitely a lot easier to teach.
If you are just introducing the idea of needlework, you might try allowing them to watch you casually as you work and finish a project before mentioning your desire to teach. Just the admiration of a finished project can be all the inspiration they need to show interest in learning this new skill.
2. Choose Child Friendly Projects
The majority of children do not have a long attention span. When choosing a first needlework project, think about one that they can finish quickly and with ease. Stick to basic stitches and patterns. It might even be fun to take them along with you to choose their first needlepoint project. Check your local craft stores, there are some great first needlework kits on the market that might spark a little one's interest.
3. Choose Child Friendly Tools
Safety has to be the number one priority when teaching a child to stitch. With blunt needles and even a selection of plastic ones) and very few small pieces, most needlepoint tools are fairly safe for children with adult supervision. One item you might want to find a child safe alternative for, would be scissors. The sharp embroidery scissors could easily hurt a child. Perhaps you could purchase child safe scissors or be on hand to do the trimming as necessary.
4. Choose the Best Time of Day
Your most convienient time, may not be the best time for a child. Consider teaching times when they are most alert, and not tired from a day's activity. Perhaps a Saturday or Sunday, or a school vacation make great times to teach children needlework. You'll find as they age, they will work on their projects in the afternoons or evenings but during this beginning try to plan very specific lesson times.
5. Use Short Intervals of Time for Lessons
One of the biggest reasons people get frustrated when teaching children needlework is because they try to make lessons that are too long to hold a child's interest. Planning lessons that are short in duration will hold a child's interest while keeping them looking forward to the next time of sewing with a caring adult.
6. Direct Child to Other Examples of Needlework
You can really step up a child's interest in sewing when you show them examples of needlepoint outside of their project. Take an internet tour of the Mary Beale School of Needlework, check out a library book on the history of needlework, or visit a museum known for needlework exhibits. It's amazing when you look around how many examples of needlepoint you'll find.
7. Let Children Create Their Own Designs
As children progress in stitching experience, it's a great idea to allow them to turn their own art into needlepoint projects. Teach them to draw simple designs, and transfer by drawing or painting the canvas to stitch. Stitching their own designs will give them an enthusiasm for needlepoint like none other!