This past weekend, Zookies participated in a charity event called 4GOOD.  It was a day of parents and children coming together to make things for other children in need. Zookies hosted a table and taught kids how to sew these super cute stuffed animals which are going to be donated to under privileged children at St. John’s hospital and wellness centers.   It was an amazing day…we filled up a whole toy box! Check out the organization behind this exciting program, 4Good.org This is a very fun and easy craft for you to do at home with your child.  I would say 5 years old is probably the youngest for this project but of course it depends on each child’s abilities.

MATERIALS: Felt, Embroidery Thread, Tapestry Needle (not sharp), Buttons and Stuffing.

We did hearts, teddy bears, kittens and flowers, but you can make anything.  I like to make patterns first and then have kids trace it onto their felt with a piece of chalk.  Take 2 layers of felt and lay the pattern on top of it.  Have your child trace the pattern and then cut it out – make sure both sheets of felt are being cut.  I use a clothes pin to hold the fabric together – it is an easy way for little ones to get involved with every step of the process – pins can be sharp you know!

Then if you are making an animal, you need to sew on the eyes to one cut out first before you sew the 2 pieces together.  TIP: After you thread the needle, pull the thread through so that you have a yard in length coming out on both ends – fold thread in half with the needle in the middle and knot at the bottom.  This will help keep the needle on the tread while sewing.  TIP: A yard is roughly from your out-stretched hand across your body  to your opposite shoulder.

After you are done, place the piece (with eyes) on the top and then sew around the whole outside.  I like to use a running stitch for the younger children and a whip stitch for the older kids.  Leave an inch and a half opening for the stuffing to be filled inside.  Fill it and then close it up.

Viola! You now have a hand sewn stuffed animal.  For added love…I  like to write a note to my kids or draw I love you on a heart and put it inside the animal!  Now cuddle up and read a story together.