I'm planning on teaching a parent/child class this spring for community education (in April). That should be fun -- an introduction to cross stitching class. Hopefully I'll get some people to sign up.

For the group of fourth graders, I put together a kit of a primative angel, that only used about 5 colors. I blew up the chart, and had them stitch on perforated paper. It was a 2-hour class, so I never got to see their projects finished, but they had a great time.

To inspire them, I brought in some pieces I had finished (fun ones that kids would like), and told them about a little stitching history -- like that girls used to learn needlework as part of school, a little about samplers and the like.

I taught them how to catch and hold down stitches on the back, and talked about knotting. The rest of the time was spent stitching, and they did a great job. Kids, I think, are easier to teach than adults, because their minds are like sponges, and because they generally have great eyesight.

I had them wash their hands before we began, with soap, which is a good habit to form. Also didn't have anything else distracting going on, but I think some classical music would be a good backdrop for the class. Their attention was more than kept, and they were intent on doing a good job. The girl who was the most "rambunctious" was also the girl who did the best and fastest job. It's funny how you can tell who is really going to get into it. But they all did just super.

I started stitching by taking such a class, and it's nice to pass on the tradition.

Projects could vary. Younger kids might do better with "freestyle stitching" on canvas, or plastic perforated "paper" (my 10-year-old sister-in-law is doing this freestyle stitching, and prefers it to following patterns -- good for her!) Older kids could handle Aida and more complex designs. Needlepoint (painted or counted) is another project they might like.

I really would recommend passing on this tradition, even if it's just teaching your own child, a niece or nephew, a small group of neighborhood kids, or your best friend. I start a few people a year with the skills to get them going. Some don't do much more than the project I start them on, but a few have gone on to have stitching bring a new peace to their lives.

Suggestions from readers:

"When I taught my nephew he picked up on it right away ( 7 yo ) and was able to follow a chart and do all of the stitches the same way.  Now I am teaching my niece ( also 7 ) and she had alot of difficulty.  I have used some tips I heard from Shay Pendray, one is to let the younger children cross any way they want, the top stitches do not all have to face the same way.  The other thing is to use fabric markers which are washable and to mark the squares the kids need to stitch.  I have her stitching on a large aida so this is easy to do.  She will do all the red stitches and then I color in the green ones etc...  She really enjoys it and as she gets older I can teach her the finer points and how to follow a pattern." -- Karen Tetreault

"I had great success teaching 4 & 5 yr olds the basics of X-stitch using jute door mats and strips of cotton material. The giant stitches work up quickly, so they finish their project befor boredom sets in. For needles, we used toothbrush handles that have a hole for hanging (Have an adult cut the toothbrush head off and grind the "needle" to a dull point) The material we stitched with was scraps of 100% cotton cut in 1 1/4" strips left over from a strip-quilt project."

A question from a reader: her daughter was working as a nanny, and she said: "They (the boys she was watching) also want to know when she's going to show them how to stitch. I just read your article on teaching children. I wonder if she could find a project, maybe like a 6 count project which she started, to show them how. I was wondering if you have any suggestions on kits or project that may be least confusing to them and her!!"

Well, I think I had suggested in my article that new stitchers try perforated paper, or, better yet, the plastic perforated sheets you can buy for learning to stitch. The kids are small enough (they were 6 and 8) where the plastic might be easier for them to handle. Sometimes perforated paper can rip. Pick small projects for the kids. Large ones can seem overwhelming. Small accomplishments are much more rewarding than large unfinished projects. Pick a motif or design from a pattern you have. You could let the kids select their own colors of floss.

I find with my 5-year-old son that he's content to help me stitch -- he pulls the thread up, and I do the second part of each stitch. We did buy a needlepoint pattern of a dinosaur -- canvas is easy for kids because the holes are larger, and the design is printed on the canvas, so there's no tricky counting to manage. Most of these kits are available at any craft store, and are fairly inexpensive. If you let the kids select ones they like, they're more apt to finish. Theresa

"hi. i am an art educator in the d.c. area. i have been teaching children to stitch from kindergarten to sixth grade. i use squares of burlap with taped edges on one side. i start with the running stitch and work from there bulidling up each year. i also teach weaving. they love it and it is so calming once they get the hang of it. it is important for us to be teaching these traditions of hand crafts and the arts before they are lost."

"I started work as a nanny two years ago and had a permanent family as well as holiday work with temporary ones. As something to do when the kids were being quiet (not often!) I would take my x-stitch with me. To begin with, they were fascinated by my floss bags and that nifty little pair of siscors that I have, but after a day or so of observing me, they always ask to help, or to be taught how.

The first two that I taught were 11 (boy) and 9 (girl), a brother and sister pair. First I talked to them about designs - as they were older kids, and clever, we had a good time talking about patterns. I told them to think up their own designs, gave them some grap paper and they drew them, big and simple. Together we went throught the pattern and made the squares into half or whole stitches. They each choose to design patterns with less than five colours - they too saw the method in not gettign too complicated, too fast.

I took them to the craft store and bought really big count Aida - 12, I think it was. The aida was quite stiff and easy for them to handle. Then we chose, matched and compared the colours that they wanted for their designs. then we discussed needles and chose some from the shelves. They were eager to get home and start.

We went home and they measured out how much fabric they would need, allowance included. I showed them how to mark the centre with thread and with some help and persistance they finished within two days, proudly washed and ironed and then mounted their pieces. As far as I have been able to keep in contact with them, they still stitch, the boy more than the girl.

Then I taught my 'regular' girls to stitch. The youngest, six, asked to help me with a design, so together she helped do some of the work on the project that I had at the time (a UFO, at the moment. *grin*). I plan, however, to finish it and give it to her as a thank you for being a flowergirl at my wedding next May. The matching design I finished 12 months ago will be a present for her older sister - the one without the patience to be really interested in it - yet. :)

The last pair I taught, a boy and girl, again, by babysitting them for a week a few months ago. Some smart thinking relative had given the lass kits and I taught them on those (easy, cheap kits, but it teaches them how!). I had been having a lot of trouble with working with the boy (12 years old) but after I taught him to stitch, we got on famously. Guess you have to hit the right nerve!

I guess I wanted to tell you about this beacuse I love teaching them to stitch. So much is automatic, these days, I find that the kids get heaps of enjoyment and pride from making something with their own hands, and its the beginning of a skill that wll never lead them astray - and take them on to other things." -Rosemary

"I also taught a kids craft class at my daughters school for several years. This class was for all kinds of crafts,not sewing.This led to a cross-stitch class. At first I only had a few kids that were interested,but when the others saw what we were doing the class size doubled. I taught them about the different types of fabrics,threads,patterns and styles. They ended up choosing a bookmark pattern. All of the kids(all girls, no boys?) had a really good time. The bookmarks all were wonderful when they were finished. Even the pieces that some people might consider a disaster I thought were beautiful. I would have been proud to own any of the pieces because I know all of the hard work that went into them. I was very proud of all of the kids and so were their parents." --Kathy

"I've been teaching the neighborhood kids and the kids at my daughter's school -- any who wish to learn. These kids are seven through eleven or so. I've had good success using 11 count Aida or 10 count heatherfield fabric and #5 pearl cotton. Sometimes I even let them use a yard or two of my Caron Watercolours. For several I designed a little sampler with their name, age, and cats. For others, I let them pick a simple design, usually from Prairie Schooler. Then they are allowed to look through my colors and choose what colors they want. For my daughter, I let her play with my cross stitch designer program, and she made her own pattern. She won first place for her cross stitch at her school's junior convention at Age 9. Also several boys are participating, and I brought some issues of Antique Sampler magazine. One issue had a feature on antique samplers by boys, which I made sure they saw." --Debbie

© 2007 Theresa Venette. Articles on this site may be reproduced in needlework group newsletters or other handouts with permission of author and proper attribution. Send questions, comments and suggestions to: xspeddler@yahoo.com