Sewing With Big Buttons

A mom who regularly attends play groups here was sharing with us that she has been teaching herself to sew using a sewing machine passed down by her aunt. Learning to sew has always been on her "bucket" list and she was determined to master this skill.

Earlier during play group she saw a homemade toy we had fashioned....a big, metal coffee can with a large coin slot cut in the lid and some extra large plastic checker pieces. They make a great clunking sound when the hit bottom.
We remembered we had some extra large buttons on-hand that might work for her to recreate this item at home. We also sent home some large plastic needles so she could also pass on what she knew about hand sewing to her son. Boy did those buttons come in handy! Her son loved "sewing" the buttons on his string and needle and it was something he could work on while mom worked on her sewing skills. Besides the more obvious benefits to his fine motor skills.....concentrating and threading the needle through one of the four small holes....what a great way to build a strong relationship through connection as seen on page 38 of Search Institute's "Don't Forget the Families" research report.
Collaborate: 
Learn new things together.
Solve problems together.
Work on projects at home together



Additionally, working together met at least one (but probably more) of his five critical emotional needs, the need to feel included. And now he has an amazing Max and the Wild Things costume to wear for Halloween made by Mom:) along with a great experience of sewing together with Mom.

We used Really Big Buttons by Royalco and plastic needles- both low cost and most likely available at your local craft store, and of course from vendors on the web. Our parent used a smooth crocheting string. Use whatever smooth string or cord you have on hand.