Sewing Cards from Recycled Greeting Cards

STOP! Before you put those Christmas cards into the recycling bin – okay, I admit, it’s probably still a few days until you do that, right? – anyway, before you do, I suggest you save your favourites to make a set of simple sewing cards! Great for preschoolers and children in the early school years, these cards become a great busy bag filler or quiet play activity.

Kids Sewing Cards from recycled Christmas or birthday cards

How to Make Sewing Cards from Recycled Christmas Cards

I predominantly choose cards with a single bold image that are easy to stitch around. Cut free form around the shape. To make them a little more sturdy you can cover the back of each card with clear self-adhesive book covering or laminate them.

Use a hole punch or a large wool needle to pierce holes around the edge of each card. For younger children, fewer large holes with a punch work best. Smaller holes are fine for older children but they will then need a wool needle for the stitching stage.

Cut a piece of wool/yarn or embroidery thread long enough to stitch all the way around the card. Tape one end to the back of a sewing card. For younger children, prepare the other end of the wool by wrapping a small piece of tape around the tip to stop it from fraying. For older children, thread the wool onto a large, blunt tipped needle.

Make sewing cards for kids from recycled Christmas or birthday cards

Show your child how to form a running stitch – threading over and under, and reminding them to pull the wool until it is taut each time.

Make sewing cards for kids from recycled Christmas or birthday cards

Once they have mastered the running stitch you might also suggest they try a threaded running stitch as well!

Stitching is wonderful for developing fine motor skills and hand:eye co-ordination, and the finished sewing cards are rather sweet. You could even add an extra loop of thread and hang them on your tree!

Make sewing cards for kids from recycled Christmas or birthday cards

You might also like our other kids sewing projects;

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