Stitch Your DIY Name!
Sew your own name onto felt using a plastic needle, yarn, and simple stitches, learning hand-sewing basics, pattern transfer, and creativity.
Step-by-step guide to Stitch Your DIY Name
Step 1
Cut a rectangle of felt about 6 inches by 4 inches.
Step 2
Write your name in big bubble letters on the paper so each letter fits inside the felt rectangle.
Step 3
Cut out each paper letter to make letter templates.
Step 4
Tape each paper letter template onto the felt where you want your name to sit.
Step 5
Trace around each paper letter with the fabric marker to transfer the letters onto the felt.
Step 6
Cut a length of yarn about as long as your arm.
Step 7
Thread one end of the yarn through the plastic needle.
Step 8
Tie a small knot at the yarn end to stop it from pulling through the felt.
Step 9
Push the needle up through the back of the felt at the start point of the first letter so the knot stays hidden on the back.
Step 10
Sew a running stitch along the outline of the letter by moving the needle in and out about 3 to 5 millimeters apart until the outline is complete.
Step 11
If you want a thicker line use a backstitch by bringing the needle up one stitch length ahead and then back down into the previous hole as you sew.
Step 12
Tie a small knot on the back of the felt when you finish each yarn piece to secure the stitches.
Step 13
Trim any extra yarn close to the knots on the back of the felt.
Step 14
Add fun decorative stitches or little patterns inside the letters using the same yarn.
Step 15
Take a photo and share your finished stitched name creation on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have felt, a fabric marker, or a plastic needle?
Use a foam craft sheet or doubled cotton fabric in place of the felt, a pencil or washable marker for step 5, and a blunt tapestry or lacing needle for step 7 while substituting embroidery floss or thick thread for the yarn.
My needle won't go through the felt or the knot keeps pulling through — what can we do?
Pre-poke small holes along the traced outline with a pin or the tip of scissors and switch to a blunt tapestry needle and slightly thicker yarn so the needle passes easily and the knot in step 11 stays hidden and secure.
How can I change the steps for younger or older kids?
For ages 3–5, have an adult cut the felt letters and let the child use a plastic lacing needle with big running stitches, ages 6–9 can follow all steps with supervision, and ages 10+ can use the backstitch in step 13 and add detailed decorative stitches inside letters in step 15.
How can we make the stitched name more special or turn it into a longer project?
After finishing the stitches and trimming extra yarn in step 14, sew a second felt rectangle (step 1) to the back, stuff lightly to make a mini name pillow, and embellish with beads or sequins during step 15 before tying final knots.
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Facts about hand-sewing for kids
✂️ Felt is made by matting and pressing fibers together, so it doesn't need to be woven and won't fray at the edges.
🪡 Plastic needles are great for beginners and kids because they're blunt and flexible, so they poke less than metal needles.
🎨 Sewing your name is a simple form of embroidery — people have used stitched initials to decorate clothes and belongings for centuries.
🧵 The oldest known sewing needles (made from bone) are over 40,000 years old — people have been stitching for a very long time!
🧶 Yarn comes in many weights and fibers — from fluffy wool to smooth acrylic — and different yarns change how stitches look.
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