I like to hand sew things, and ever since the kids were old enough to notice me sewing, they have wanted to have at it. When they were reall...

Not my original idea! I saw this activity on a lot of different blogs, and thought I would give it a try. Yesterday I had a new afterschoole...

I like to hand sew things, and ever since the kids were old enough to notice me sewing, they have wanted to have at it. When they were rea...

I like to hand sew things, and ever since the kids were old enough to notice me sewing, they have wanted to have at it. When they were rea...

I like to hand sew things, and ever since the kids were old enough to notice me sewing, they have wanted to have at it. When they were rea...

Step by step instructions to make a jar opener easy sewing project. Perfect for gifts, craft fairs, or yourself. A quick project your kitchen is missing.

Celebrate summer by creating adorable Paper Plate Watermelon Suncatchers with the kids. This easy suncatcher craft requires minimal supplies and…

Argh! Don't you just hate it when you are trying to open a jar, and you can't get the flipping lid to turn. Sometimes, I used to get so frustrated that I would want to smash the jar to the ground. But not any more! I discovered this diy fabric jar opener that is perfect

I gave Bear a dull needle and blue wool with a piece of shelf liner to practice sewing. It was fast to set up and she enjoyed it for a bit. I can see this as a way to keep her busy when I want to …

DIY Refrigerator Shelf Liners Fridge Liners

I've really tried to focus on something unrelated to my Montessori life during this Christmas vacation - really, I have. The thing is, I can find something "Montessori" in just about anything! Such was the case when, in an attempt to clear my mind of all things Montessori-related, I revisited my old hobby of counted cross-stitching: Revisiting a favorite hobby - the beginnings of my latest endeavor... While enjoying the simple quietude of this pastime, it came to me... sewing drawers for the classroom, of course! And with that, while removing some of the rustiness of having not cross-stitched in over a decade, I began formulating my plan for some sewing lessons in the classroom. Enter the sewing drawers - I've started with three, but have ideas for at least three more: Sewing Drawers Drawer one: Sewing with yarn on white shelf-liner. Embroidery hoop with shelf liner; blue needle is hard to see in this photo, but it is directly behind the two choices of yarn; scissors. Drawer two: Sewing on burlap with embroidery floss. Hoop with burlap; several choices of embroidery thread wound on clothespins; small sewing scissors; needle. Drawer three: Cross-stiching. Hoop with gingham (ideal for introducing cross-stitch); color choices of embroidery thread; scissors; needle. Next to the drawers will be three baskets for the child to gather the necessary materials from the drawers and bring to a workspace. Each drawer is set up so that only one child may be using the materials from any given drawer at a time. These lessons will come after much practice with the preliminary sewing lessons such as the lacing shapes, sewing block, Threading a Needle as seen HERE, and working with pins: Transferring straight pins. I can hardly wait to introduce the lessons in the sewing drawers to my students. Later, for some variation, I plan to change the yarn, fabrics, and add beads for the children to embellish their sewing creations. Also, I have plans to add more drawers for learning to sew buttons and make small pillows... But first we'll start with these first three sewing drawers, and I'll be reminded of how inspiration came to me when I least expected it - I'll let you know when I finish my latest cross-stiching project! Montessori Monday Link-Up

Step by step instructions to make a jar opener easy sewing project. Perfect for gifts, craft fairs, or yourself. A quick project your kitchen is missing.

Whether you line your drawers or not is a personal choice. It's certainly not necessary but I find it can really add some unexpected personality to a piece. Lining a drawer with any of the above materials is not hard, but here's the easiest way I've found to line my drawers. I get the perfect cut and fit every time - and no measuring is required!