Sewing with toddlers

So, going along with our sewing class of the last week, here are the basic rules for sewing with toddlers.  (Some are a little more serious than others....)

Number 1.  Get extras of anything not sharp.  These can be used to palm off on eager "helpers" to keep them away from other things.

Number 2.  Is a lot like number 1 -- keep all scraps, empty spools, etc.  These are also wonderful distractors for helpful hands.

Number 3.  Never leave your iron on your ironing board.  Even if it's off, it can still hurt a lot if it comes down on a little head.  Or foot.  Or leg.  And an ironing board is a fairly wobbly thing -- any bump or tug can cause a heavy item to flip right off.

Number 4.  Never assume you are going to finish a project.  That way if you actually get a chance to complete something, you are surprised and delighted, rather than frustrated and annoyed when you get interrupted half way through.

Number 5.  They will always take a shorter nap the day you are trying to finish something up for a deadline.  Count on it.

Number 6.  Never leave your machine on when you're not using it.  I have found all sorts of tangles from my crawler playing with the foot peddle while my back was turned.

Number 7.  The mantra for a toddler with a crafty Mommy:  "Anything Mommy makes is amazing.  Anything Mommy makes is right.  Anything Mommy makes could be greatly improved by my help."

Number 8.  Getting a child to hold still for any kind of fitting (or photos) is next to impossible.  Try bribery.