Last Friday and Saturday I held a workshop in a town nearby for kids and families. Most of the girls were ages 7-8 years and had just a little sewing experience. I don't really bother about details like that when I have my classes for children and I find that my approach works well :) I just take it for granted that everyone knows how to design and sew and children do! I did help them with the machine stitching, but everyone who wanted to could have a go on the machine!
First I asked everyone to draw a tomte (= Santa's little helper, elf), a gingerbread man or an angel. And then we turned the drawings into sewing patterns, I helped to add some seam allowances and then we started sewing!
The girl who made this anime-inspired tomte was 14 year old, she came with her two little sisters and was a big help! Two hands isn't enough when 10 little people need help at the same time!
The kids where eager to see the result of their efforts and kept asking me for the time, they were afraid we were running out of it and wanted to finish their stuffies in time. "This is so fun, I'm going to do this at home!" "Can I take this home with me today?" "This is going to be a gift for my mummy!"
Aren't they just so charming!! Such talent! (The weather outside is so poor, we barely get any daylight at all and haven't got any snow yet).
I have been saving up my scraps in Christmas colours all Autumn. We used them to make Christmas balls and wreaths in decoupage technique. I came up with the idea last Christmas when I was asked to have a workshop at a Kindergarten. I remember a little boy who had only just turned three who made such a pretty wreath to take home! I really recommend this for children all age and grown-ups alike! Perhaps I should make a tutorial?
The kids also made holiday cards, these are my models :) Happy Christmas crafting everyone! I have a bunch of last minute tomte stuffies to make for two of my resellers today.
I would even love a brief tutorial on how you do the tomten for kids. specifically, do you transfer the facial features directly to fabric or do you just use the drawing as a 'pattern' and embellish the face in the same style as the drawing? would love the wreath tutorial, too, of course!
Posted by: keri | 11 January 2012 at 10:24 PM
It's is always interesting to me how our creative crafts evolve. I love checking in on you for two reasons - one - you are Finnish and two; you have totally embraced new opportunities - even when they are outside your comfort zone.
Happy sewing and
Hyvaa Joulua
Posted by: kathyh | 18 December 2011 at 06:38 PM
Yes please on the tutorial. I would love to make that with my children's fellowship at church. Isn't it just so much fun when children enjoy a craft you've come up with!
Posted by: Fabric Fascination | 15 December 2011 at 01:40 PM
Gorgeous work! Would love a tutorial for those wreaths :)
Posted by: FordieZo | 13 December 2011 at 04:11 PM
Yes please for a tutorial. Love your work xx
Posted by: sharon | 13 December 2011 at 01:54 AM
Fabulous. A tutorial would be excellent x
Posted by: clare wassermann | 12 December 2011 at 09:50 PM
very cute ! well done girls !
Posted by: celine | 12 December 2011 at 04:07 PM
so lovely!
Posted by: Francesca | 12 December 2011 at 03:14 PM
love!
Posted by: Torm | 12 December 2011 at 02:14 PM