*******************************************Hi it’s me again, Christina from 2 little hooligans and I am so excited to be back here. Today I am sharing a fun way for your little ones to make Valentines Day cards while working on their cutting and sewing skills.
Materials Needed:
* Small scraps of fabric
Before starting make sure you reiterate all of the safety rules for sewing and scissor use. This is so important! This is also the perfect time to teach your kids about the difference between sewing scissors and paper scissors. I will not lie, I used to mix and mingle my scissors all the time and it is a really bad habit. So teach your kids to cut paper with the paper scissors and cut fabric with the fabric scissors. If you need to, label each pair or tie a little piece of fabric onto the fabric scissors as a reminder. At this time also talk to them about proper handling of the the scissors if they will be walking or carrying them. It seems crazy, but it is honestly something they need to learn. So the easiest way I have found to make and cut out hearts with little ones is to make a little paper template. To do this, simply have your kids fold a piece of paper in half and then draw a half-a-heart shape like below. Then have them cut out the shape. 
Now have your kids take the piece of fabric and fold it in half. Take the folded heart and sandwich the fabric inside of it. Now have your kids cut the fabric around the template. The paper gives the fabric a little more stability and makes it easier for younger kids to cut the shape out. If your kids are older you can have them trace the whole heart shape onto the fabric and then cut it out. Do what you feel is appropriate for your child. 
Once the heart is cut out, grab a piece of card stock and let your kids sew the heart onto the card stock. 
Encourage them to sew around the heart to get used to the curves but if they rather sew straight line like my 3 year old did, then just let them be. Yes, the bobbin thread is a different color from the spool. Are my kids the only ones who love to do that?
For some reason after she sewed the fabric onto the card stock she decided to cut the heart out again…? 
Her vision of Valentines Day cards was much different from mine and I just love that! Don’t forget, we are here to encourage and teach our children but if they have their own vision of what they want to make then let them go with it. It is so important for us to not only teach them but also let them use their own creativity! We have actually been working on these Valentines Day cards for a few days now so when they seem to get bored or are not being safe around the machine anymore I take that as my cue. I have them pick up their mess and we save it for another day. 
I think anyone would love getting these little hearts in the mail in for Valentines Day. Nothing says love like a heart card made from little hands!
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Christina, thank you so much for this adorable idea. I will definitely be doing this soon!
Hayley
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thanks hayley! it is always so fun being able to guest post here:)
What a cute project, I love it! Not quite plucked up the courage to sew with my 5 year old, but this looks like a great project to do with her
What a great idea!!! Thanks so much!
Natalie
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I’ve been doing hand sewing with my 4 1/2 year old granddaughter but we tried the machine this week. She is so jazzed!! This morning she threaded the machine including the needle! One problem I run into with her is sometimes when she trying to cut paper/fabric it just bends in the scissors and she gets frustrated. I can’t really see what she is doing wrong. Any ideas? I’d love some input. Thanks for the great ideas.