When my daughter was very little she sat in her pumkin seat(now car seats) right beside me or in the clothes basket. When she was fussy I put one of my husbands stretch belts around me and her and she would fall asleep on my shoulder area sort of. As a toddler it did become more difficult. I did give her fabric scraps and construction paper and kids glue stick. She made pretty art work. I would also give her child safety scissors and fabric. Her favorite was plastic canvas and plastic needle threaded with yarn and she could make a big mess. (But she was sewing like mommy)
I taught elementary school at this time so my sewing was after school with her, or on weekends and summers. My husband was also a teacher and coach so he had longer hours than I did. But I was lucky b/c I taught fifth grade in a little community.So once a week a parent would let me bring her daughter home with me for a couple hours to play with my daughter who was in heaven with a big girl to play with. The fifth grader liked being a suprise for my daughter so it was great. Many times I also sewed late at night. So try different things and eventually one of these ideas will help. Teresa