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Using a traditional weaving technique on a miniature scale, you can make tiny little weavings perfect for jewelry projects. Miniature waving is a great activity for older kids or teenagers with good fine motor skills. An adult will likely need to help with the last few steps.
Turn their tiny weaving into a charm for a necklace, bracelet, or backpack and they will feel so proud!
Miniature Woven Charm on Necklace
Miniature Weaving Supplies
Once you’ve made a few of these, you can try experimenting with different colors and designs.
- chipboard (thin cardboard) (sometimes you can grab a piece from the back of a notepad)
- scissors
- ruler
- embroidery floss in the colors of your choice
- tape
- embroidery needle
- iron
- small piece of felt for backing
- glue gun
- necklace with a jump ring
How to weave
- To make your mini-loom, cut the chipboard to 2″ x 1 1/2″.
- To hold the warp strings in place as you weave, you will need to make cuts at either long end of the chipboard. Measure and mark lines 1/8″ apart and snip about 1/8″ cuts along your marks. Run the embroidery floss through the slits as shown in fig. 2 and secure it in place in the back with a piece of tape.
3. With the embroidery needle and floss, begin weaving over and under the warp strings.
4. Continue weaving until you have finished several rows. When you want to change colors, simply tie a knot at a side and these knots can be tucked to the back later.
5. Once you have filled about 2/3 of the mini-loom, you will be finished. Cut the strings in the center back and carefully remove the weaving from the chipboard. Secure the ends by tying every two strands together (there will be an odd number, so you can finish by tying three strands together).
6. With a hot iron, press the knots to the underside of the weaving. Cut a small piece of felt just the size of the weaving and attach it with hot glue.
7. Open the jump ring and insert it through the weaving and felt, then add it to the necklace chain.
Ellen Luckett Baker from The Long Thread, where I write about sewing, crafting, and DIY inspiration. I’ve also written a new book called 1,2,3 Sew, published by Chronicle Books and available now!
Laura Reese says
This was such a fun craft. My girls liked it a lot.
Cindy Hopper says
That is an awesome idea to make a bookmark!
Ilona says
My 8-yo son is making a bookmark for his grandmother’s birthday (tomorrow) as we speak. Thanks for making it visual for him (because he wants to do it himself, of course!).
Cindy Hopper says
I have an entire sewing series for beginning sewing projects going on check it out here: http://www.skiptomylou.dev/2013/03/05/sewing-activities-for-kids/
Ashlee says
My 4 year old loves watching mommy sew but even more she wants to do the sewing for mommy. I have been trying to find a sewing project for a 4 year old and have come up with nothing until I stumbled across this! This is perfect!Thank you so much for posting it.
Marcia Clark says
I love weaving and I am an adult who will try this! I may try weaving in seed or e beads! Thankyou for showing and telling how you made this!
Francie Longstaff says
Love this idea and so will my Grandchildren!!
Monica says
This is soooo cute! I can’t wait to try this with my granddaughters. Thanks a bunch.
Fati says
Thanks so much for this !! Just blogged it :
http://bohemia.over-blog.com/article-mini-tissage-pour-enfant-75982241.html
have a nice day
hugs from Paris
Kate says
Oh we SO have to make these!! I know some aunties who will love getting one of these in the mail….thanks!
Suzanne says
This is beyond adorable.
Tamara says
I am always looking for practical ideas to do with the kids–this one is a keeper!
Julia says
Really Cute! Great idea for little hands.
Cathy says
I’ve been meaning to comment for the last few days! Thank you soooo much for writing these great little tutorials for summer kids projects! We love them and the kids are looking forward to trying some! Heck, they look forward to seeing what you will write about each day! These are great for mommy’s Camp Cathy!