With school days quickly approaching, or in some places (!!) already starting, that transition from the openness of summer to the structure of daily classes can be a bit tough. . .
. . . which is exactly what this project is for: transitions. There is something kind of magical that happens when kids work on a craft with their hands. Somehow it opens up a simple quiet space for talking about feelings and thoughts. Especially when the craft is for a new activity or place like these feather pencil cases.
Perfectly imperfect, they are a basic crafting activity that even little hands that are new to sewing can do to get ready for the big changes of new teachers and new classrooms. To transform any apprehension into excitement for the amazing adventures. . .
. . . that can happen at school.
Simple Feather Pencil Case
Materials:
- Fabric roughly 14"x10"
- Scrap fabric for feathers
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
- String or Ribbon for the closure
Starting at a short end, fold the edge over twice and secure in place with a line of stitches. Do the same on the other short edge, but fold your string or thread along with the fabric at the center (see image above) before sewing it down. Once you have the two short ends done, do the same thing for the long ends, making sure to always fold the fabric in the same direction so your folded seams are all on the same side.
If your little one is very new to sewing, you could even forgo this part and just use a zig-zag stitch around the edge or make it out of felted wool or something that doesn't require hemming.
Like a piece of paper going into a letter, fold your fabric in thirds starting from the short ends. Sew the edges of the first third down on each side.
Cut out a feather shape like the ones above and then cut the edges about 1/4" in all around at a slight angle down toward the base of the feather. If you are using regular fabric that frays a bit, simply pull the feather through your hands a few times to fray the edges so that it looks more organic. If you are using a felted material like the image above, follow the same instructions, but instead of fraying the edges with your fingers, cut a tiny tip of each flap to make a more feathered appearance (see image above).
Sew your feather by stitching a straight line in the center and then one line around each side just inside of the feathered edges.
Make as many of these as you'd like in all different colors for every subject!
Happy Back to School!
~ Sarah
*Last time in Crafts and Activities: All love for August
