{"id":7694,"date":"2024-10-17T10:31:56","date_gmt":"2024-10-16T23:31:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/?p=7694"},"modified":"2025-01-17T14:41:42","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T03:41:42","slug":"out-of-this-world-easy-to-sew-softies-a-creative-experience-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/2024\/10\/out-of-this-world-easy-to-sew-softies-a-creative-experience-for-kids.html","title":{"rendered":"Out of this World Easy to Sew Softies: A Creative Experience for Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Recently I was asked to run a sewing workshop for kids at<a href=\"https:\/\/rpgnsw.org.au\/gallery\/blacktown-arts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> <em>Blacktown Arts <\/em><\/a>in Sydney. They wanted the workshop to run in conjunction with their<em> Makers Space with HOSSEI<\/em> exhibition advertised as an invitation from multi-disciplinary artist, Hossei &#8220;to travel through a fantastical outer space inspired world.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I love an opportunity to create new zenkis. <a href=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/2021\/02\/the-zenki-way-a-guide-to-designing-and-enjoying-your-own-creative-softies.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Zenkis<\/a> are the simplest friendliest and easiest to sew softies in the universe. They are made from just two pieces of felt and only require a simple running stitch around the torso. They&#8217;re perfect projects for kids and perfect for teaching a group as they minimise difficulties and maximise creative opportunities. As you can see, I am very proud of them, and rightly so. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Easy-to-sew-galaxy-softies.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Easy-to-sew-galaxy-softies.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7724\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Easy-to-sew-galaxy-softies.jpg 680w, https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Easy-to-sew-galaxy-softies-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The kids were from 7 years and up and the workshop ran for an hour and a half. The simplicity of the zenki design allows every kid to finish his or her project. No-one goes home with an unfinished softie. That&#8217;s important! Kids need to see that their efforts yield something tangible and complete as much as they need to spread their creative wings and to feel that a project is really and truly theirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With all this in mind, I gave each child a pear-shaped piece of felt to use as the basis of their galaxy softie. I showed them three examples that I had made (you can see them above) and told them that they could turn their felt in any direction they wanted. They created facial features, pinned the pear-shape onto a rectangle of different coloured felt, drew on body features, cut out and got busy sewing and stuffing. At the end of it all, we had a dozen new species of galaxy zenkis! What a wonderful universe we inhabit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s how some of the kids started out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"450\" data-id=\"7705\" src=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7705\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/4.jpg 680w, https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/4-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"450\" data-id=\"7704\" src=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7704\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/3.jpg 680w, https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/3-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"450\" data-id=\"7703\" src=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7703\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1-2.jpg 680w, https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1-2-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>And here are some of their completed galaxy zenkis:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"450\" data-id=\"7710\" src=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7710\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5.jpg 680w, https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/6-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"450\" data-id=\"7711\" src=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/6-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7711\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/6-2.jpg 680w, https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/6-2-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/3-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"450\" data-id=\"7712\" src=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/3-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7712\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/3-2.jpg 680w, https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/3-2-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-1c01cbb6\">\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-19d6c325\">\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-a6c24532\">\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery alignfull has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/4-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"450\" data-id=\"7715\" src=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/4-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7715\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/4-3.jpg 680w, https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/4-3-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"450\" data-id=\"7716\" src=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7716\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1-3.jpg 680w, https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1-3-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"450\" data-id=\"7717\" src=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7717\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/2.jpg 680w, https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/2-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-13c9aecf\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I had lots of fun. And so did the kids!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;d like me to run a sewing workshop at your next event, just send me<a href=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/contact\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> an email<\/a>. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code><br><br><\/code><\/pre>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Recently I was asked to run a sewing workshop for kids at Blacktown Arts in Sydney. They wanted the workshop to run in conjunction with their Makers Space with HOSSEI exhibition advertised as an invitation from multi-disciplinary artist, Hossei &#8220;to travel through a fantastical outer space inspired world.&#8221; I love an opportunity to create new &#8230; <a title=\"Out of this World Easy to Sew Softies: A Creative Experience for Kids\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/2024\/10\/out-of-this-world-easy-to-sew-softies-a-creative-experience-for-kids.html\" aria-label=\"Read more about Out of this World Easy to Sew Softies: A Creative Experience for Kids\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":7724,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[118],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7694","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-workshopsevents","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7694","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7694"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7694\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7724"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7694"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7694"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sewasoftie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7694"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}