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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: JeanG
Date: 02-27-2007, 09:04 AM (1 of 10)
| I'd like to make an activity mat - one that has the zipper, buttons, snaps, velcro, etc. to teach kids how to use different closures. I don't know what it's called, and haven't been successful finding anything on the internet. Anyone have a picture of one, or a pattern? Thanks! Jean |
User: JeanG
Member since: 07-12-2005 Total posts: 42 |
From: MaryW
Date: 02-27-2007, 10:00 AM (2 of 10)
|
Why not google it? type activity mat into the browser and see what comes up.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
From: JeanG
Date: 02-27-2007, 10:07 AM (3 of 10)
| I haven't found anything yet - the mats I've seen online are for babies to lay on. I want one (and maybe 'mat' isn't the right word) for a toddler to learn snaps, buttons, shoe tie, zipper, etc. I could try to design one, but if I had a picture, it would be much better! |
User: JeanG
Member since: 07-12-2005 Total posts: 42 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 02-27-2007, 10:25 AM (4 of 10)
|
How about making a large cloth doll that you put all those items on? I know there are several Raggedy Ann/Andy patterns out there that have different size dolls on it. I made the one McCalls had about 9 years ago #8377. I made the largest one for my grands. Clothing patterns are included and I'm sure you could add zippers, buttons and snaps, even lace ups to it with just a few changes.
Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: Reta J
Date: 02-27-2007, 10:53 AM (5 of 10)
|
Maybe put it in book form and make a soft sculptered book. My kids had one I bought, but i know there are patterns out there for them. As soon as I find the link, I will post. I will try to explain here, for a four page book. Cut 2 strips of material 7X14 inches and mark middle of rectangle so the blocks will measure 7X7. You can make your book any size and any amount of pages, but if you get too many pages it doesn't close. Find a coloring book with the shapes you want or cookie cutters or free hand draw them. Such as, a jacket to put a zipper on, a shoe to lace and tie, a shirt to button, and jeans to snap. Use your own ideas. Cut out the pieces from scraps of material and interfacing (gives longer wear to material pieces for busy hands to pull on). Make the jacket front and add the zipper. When you do the shoes, make a few button holes to lace the string through and sew the middle of the lace to the shoe so that it won't come loose and become a strangling hazard. Make a shirt front and put buttons and button holes. Cut the snap and zipper part from an old pair of jeans to use instead of trying to put in a snap. Sew 1 activity to each block front or 2 per long strip. If you want a little more thickness use batting between pages or felt. If you want to, use pinking shears and use the zig zag edges as the edges of the pages. If you don't have pinking shears then you will have to either enclose edges with binding or sew the pages together then turn right side out. To sew pages together, lay both 7X14 strips right sides together (also batting or felt if you are using them) and sew around leaving a small area to turn. Turn pages right side out. On the middle mark, sew 1/8 to 1/4 from the line on either side of the line. If you make a cover and back or more pages, then you would stack them before sewing the middle line and sew them all together. Hope this helps and if i find professionally written directions, I will post them. For inside designs it is best to use a heavier material and different texture, such as felts, felt furs, denim, cordoroys, etc. Hope this helps, Sewing Forever
Housework Whenever Reta J |
User: Reta J
Member since: 01-30-2002 Total posts: 136 
|
From: Reta J
Date: 02-27-2007, 10:59 AM (6 of 10)
|
After I posted above, I found this: http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_sewing_children_infants/article/0,1789,HGTV_3326_1376831,00.html Sewing Forever
Housework Whenever Reta J |
User: Reta J
Member since: 01-30-2002 Total posts: 136
|
From: Reta J
Date: 02-27-2007, 11:08 AM (7 of 10)
|
For something different, I thought I would post this too. http://sewing.about.com/library/weekly/aa041898.htm Sewing Forever
Housework Whenever Reta J |
User: Reta J
Member since: 01-30-2002 Total posts: 136
|
From: JeanG
Date: 02-27-2007, 03:09 PM (8 of 10)
| Those are great ideas! Now I know I can do it. Thank you so much for responding! Jean |
User: JeanG
Member since: 07-12-2005 Total posts: 42 |
From: cowqueenie
Date: 02-27-2007, 03:19 PM (9 of 10)
Great ideas! I am going to make one for a friend who has a lil one that will be 2 in May! I think you guys did a great job finding information for Jean! 
"A trip to the fabric store is my therapy"
|
User: cowqueenie
Member since: 10-30-2006 Total posts: 125 
|
From: IsabelleB
Date: 02-28-2007, 08:46 AM (10 of 10)
Thank you for the wonderful links and explanations! 
Isabelle
Sewing blog: Kitty Couture |
User: IsabelleB
Member since: 10-25-2006 Total posts: 265 |
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