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My 5-year-old wanted to learn to sew. We made these fun Bedouin weaving inspired bookmarks. The idea was to imitate the Saudi Arabian Sadu cloth more or less but the experience … priceless!
Sadu cloth is the traditional craft of Saudi Arabia. It is brightly colored thick woven cloth with simple but bold patterns. The Sadu cloth is used to decorate homes, make tents and traditional Arabian seats.
A few years ago, we made these simple Bedouin design cards with paper that came out very pretty. We fell instantly in love with this design and wanted to make more crafts with it. My daughter wanted to sew but she has never held a needle before. I know how difficult it can be for little children to handle needles but sewing can be great for practicing those fine motor skills. It also helps with hand-eye coordination.
When we started the activity, Lil’ was so clumsy and awkward holding the yarn and ribbon. Add to that the fact that she is left-handed. I had no idea how to teach her how to hold the needle properly. We then learnt that it was best that we sat opposite each other.
Here is how to make this very simple bookmark to practice those beginner sewing skills.
Bedouin Weaving inspired bookmarks- sewing for kids
What you need:
- A silk ribbon – as thick as you can get.
- Embroidery floss – a few colors
- Needle – we used a long 7inch one.
- Scissors.
- A candle to seal the edges of the ribbon.
Please note: this activity requires adult supervision and is not for children under 5 years of age.
How to proceed:
- Cut the required length of ribbon for the bookmark.
- Seal the edges by passing quickly through the flame of a lighted candle.
- Thread the floss in the needle and show your child how to make straight stitches.
- Insert the needle in the ribbon and push it back and front the whole length of the needle. Just go in a straight line. Pull the yarn through leaving a little tail behind.
- Repeat with other colors.
- Generally, the Sadu design has simple shapes and colors so you can go in any direction and make any pattern.
- Once you have finished sewing, pinch the top edges together with a single knot. It helps give it the Bookmark ‘look’. 🙂
I loved watching my preschooler work on this bookmark so diligently. Although in the beginning she struggled and it was so hard for her to work with the needle with her left hand, I really loved watching the joy on her face when she finished. It was perfect. She had made her very first sewing project.
I hope you can enjoy making this very simple Saudi Arabia culture inspired bookmark with your children too.
Here is another Saudi Craft that you may enjoy – Make a paper Janbiyya
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Latest posts by Aysh Siddiqua (see all)
- Bedouin Weaving Inspired Bookmarks – Beginner Sewing for Kids - March 5, 2018
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These look great! I never really learnt how to sew properly despite my mother and grandmother´s efforts to teach me but would love to teach my daughter to sew!
thank you sae and team for this update..love you!