This yarn rainbow craft is a fun way to introduce kids to sewing by hand. Using a styrofoam produce tray as a canvas, some scrap yarn, and a plastic sewing needle, your child will learn some basic sewing stitches while creating a cheerful piece of art to display in their room.
If you’ve been following us for a while, you know that my hooligans love fibre crafts. In the past couple of years, they’ve learned how to braid, weave and french knit, and they’ve learned how to sew by hand.
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Why I love a styrofoam produce tray “canvas”
When I’m teaching kids the basics of hand-sewing, I love to use styrofoam produce trays as our canvas for a few reasons:
- They’re easy to pierce with a plastic sewing needle.
- They’re sturdy/stable to hold with one hand while sewing with the other.
- You can draw your design on the back and pre-punch your holes.
- The finished project is easy to hang or prop on a shelf for display.
I was originally going to share this rainbow sewing project as a St. Patrick’s Day craft, but I’m a little late with it. Thankfully, rainbow themes are popular all spring long, so if your kids are looking for a colourful and easy craft to do in the coming weeks, let them try their hand at sewing with this one.
Supplies:
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- styrofoam produce tray (sterilized in dishwasher)
- blue paint (we used acrylic craft paint)
- yarn scraps in rainbow colours
- plastic sewing needle
- scissors
- pencil (optional)
Instructions:
HOW TO SEW A RAINBOW ON A STYROFOAM TRAY
- PAINT STYROFOAM
To start, paint the styrofoam tray with a couple of coats of blue paint. Give it a blast with a hair dryer to dry it quickly, or let it dry on its own.
- STITCH PURPLE ARC
Starting with your purple yarn, thread your needle, and poke it through the styrofoam to make your stitches. Stitch 2 or 3 rows like this forming a purple arc.
TIP: If you want a guide to follow, you can draw your rainbow on the back of the styrofoam, and use your needle to poke holes all along your pencil lines. That way when you flip the styrofoam over, your holes will be there for you to sew through. - REPEAT WITH OTHER COLOURS
Stitch the rest of the coloured arcs of your rainbow the same way, making 2 or 3 rows of each colour.
- ADD MORE DETAIL IF DESIRED
If you’d like, add other details to your scene – clouds, a sun, birds, grass etc.
- STITCH EDGES IF DESIRED
If you want to add a decorative border to your rainbow picture, you can stitch all around the edge of your styrofoam tray.
What a fun way for kids to get started with hand-sewing. And what a lovely project for spring!
More Beginner Sewing Projects:
Beginner Sewing Activity (with Styrofoam Produce Trays)
Mesh Hearts “Sewing” Activity for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Jackie is a mom, wife, home daycare provider, and the creative spirit behind Happy Hooligans. She specializes in kids’ crafts and activities, easy recipes, and parenting. She began blogging in 2011, and today, Happy Hooligans inspires more than 2 million parents, caregivers and Early Years Professionals all over the globe.
Kelly Kotanidis
Stitching on styrofoam – what an absolutely genius idea! Thanks so much, I’ll be able to use this in so many ways.
Jackie Currie
Yay! I’m so glad our post inspired you, Kelly!
Mia
That is a genius idea! Not only is this creative but it also helps the children in their fine motor skills and concentration. Will add this to my lesson plan for my 4 yo students. I know that they will have fun doing this activity
Jackie Currie
I’m glad you like this idea, Mia. My kids love it too!