Learn Together
Lacing and stringing materials together helps children develop fine motor skills. It also helps them practice keeping a focused mind and encourages self-expression.
Watch video: https://youtu.be/FBxjgzqjmgY
Materials
Cardboard or embroidery hoop
Scissors
Tape or hot glue (if using cardboard)
Mesh from a produce bag
Needle, wire, or twist tie
String, yarn, twine or embroidery floss
Beads (optional)
Create Together
If using cardboard…
- Grab a square piece of cardboard and use it to cut out a slightly smaller square. Save the leftover outside cardboard to make a frame.
- Tape or glue your cardboard frame ends together so it is sturdy Grab mesh from a produce bag, and cut it so you can lay the mesh flat over your frame. Cut the mesh to the size of the frame.
- Tape or glue your mesh to the frame.
If using an embroidery hoop…
- Grab mesh from a produce bag, and cut it so you can lay the mesh flat over your embroidery hoop.
- Lay the mesh over the inside hoop, and then lay the larger hoop over top. Tighten the larger hoop.
- Cut the mesh so that there is no excess mesh on the embroidery hoop.
To make a needle out of wire…
- Cut a bendable wire to about 3 inches. Fold it in half. Leaving a small loop at the bend, twist the wire around itself to create a point. This should end up looking something like a needle.
To make a needle out of a twist tie…
- Fold your twist tie in half. Leaving a small loop at the bend, twist the tie around itself to create a point. This should end up looking something like a needle.
To sew and weave…
- Cut a piece of string to about the length of your entire arm.
- Thread the string through your needle and tie the end to your needle OR thread the string halfway and tie the two ends together.
- Pull your needle in and out of your mesh to sew.
- Add beads to your string as desired, just be sure to tie a knot at the end of your string so they don’t fall off.
- If you don’t want to use a needle, you can use your finger to pull your string through the holes of your mesh.
- Create any pattern or shape as you sew!