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…

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Tape or glue your mesh to the frame.

If using an embroidery hoop…

  1. Grab mesh from a produce bag, and cut it so you can lay the mesh flat over your embroidery hoop.
  2. Lay the mesh over the inside hoop, and then lay the larger hoop over top. Tighten the larger hoop.
  3. Cut the mesh so that there is no excess mesh on the embroidery hoop.

To make a needle out of wire…

  1. 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…

  1. 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…

  1. Cut a piece of string to about the length of your entire arm.
  2. Thread the string through your needle and tie the end to your needle OR thread the string halfway and tie the two ends together.
  3. Pull your needle in and out of your mesh to sew.
  4. 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.
  5. If you don’t want to use a needle, you can use your finger to pull your string through the holes of your mesh.
  6. Create any pattern or shape as you sew!