This easy eco-craft is perfect for a child's birthday party or for a child to give as holiday gifts to friends or relatives. All you need are some felted sweaters (find directions for felting wool sweaters in this post from a few years back), some embroidery thread, a pin or two and a large sewing needle. Then follow these simple directions:
- Cut squares out of felted sweater material for coaster base.
- Cut shapes out of felted material in contrasting colors. I use cookie cutters to create a cardboard template for the shapes - hearts, stars or whatever you like!
- Have your child choose a coaster base, a decorative shape and some embroidery thread.
- Pin the shape on the square.
- Help them thread the needle and get them started sewing.
- Tie the thread in a knot on the bottom when they are finished.
Voila! A pretty, easy, eco-friendly, handmade gift! My almost 7 year old son whipped up a few of these the other day in a jiffy. Frankly, I was surprised at how much he enjoyed sewing - he kept wanting to make more! I did this for an event at the boy's school as well and it was big fun!
Do you ever make eco-crafts with your kids? What's your favorite idea?
Looking for more DIY ideas? My Make It Green page lists all of my DIY crafts and recipes in one place!
(This post is linked up to Do Something Crafty Friday on The Crafty Nest and Your Green Resource at The Greenbacks Gal and a kids craft round-up on Healthy Child Healthy World)
This is so cute! I recently helped my nephew make a bird feeder out of a recycled milk carton. It was such a great way to spend time with him!
Posted by: MaryssaGC | October 18, 2011 at 01:25 PM
What a great little project. My 7 year old son loves sewing, too! His fine-motor skills lag behind slightly and he has trouble concentrating on work that requires fine-motor, so I never thought sewing would be up his alley, but he has done a few embroidery projects, and this will be our next! I have leftover felted sweaters from christmas gifts last year!
Posted by: nancy | October 19, 2011 at 05:05 AM
Very cool Maryssa - I agree eco-crafts are such a fun way to spend time with kids!
Posted by: Micaela | October 19, 2011 at 06:37 AM
Hi Nancy - I'm so glad you like this idea for your 7 year old! It's so important to work on those fine motor skills and sewing is a great way to do it!
Posted by: Micaela | October 19, 2011 at 06:40 AM
My son is too young for this yet but he loves anything that requires dexterity. This is a great idea as he gets older. Plus it teaches the value of a heart gift and recycling. A winner all around. Thanks for sharing
Posted by: recycling plastic products | October 22, 2011 at 11:09 PM
These look like fun!
Posted by: recycle metal san francisco | October 25, 2011 at 10:44 AM
Love these! I keep thinking I'm going to do a felting project soon. Maybe I'll start with these and make them with my girls!
Posted by: Andrea - The Greenbacks Gal | November 14, 2011 at 07:46 PM
Hi Andrea - this is a really fun project to do w/kids. I've done it at my kids' school and it's been very popular!
Posted by: Micaela | November 15, 2011 at 08:27 AM
I absolutely love this! This post is so informative and I think my subscribers would really enjoy reading this. I would love, actually I'd be honored, for you to come share it at Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways on Frugally Sustainable this Wednesday. And, I really hope that you will put Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways on your list of carnivals to visit and link to each Wednesday!
Warmly,
Andrea @ Frugally Sustainable
Here's the link: http://www.frugallysustainable.com
Posted by: Andrea @ Frugally Sustainable | November 15, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Hi Andrea - glad you liked the felted coaster craft! I'd love to stop by your Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways carnival - thanks for mentioning it!
Posted by: Micaela | November 15, 2011 at 01:15 PM