My Mom sewed and we played on the floor right beside her. What fun when she used up a spool of thread! It became ours to play with! Scraps of fabric fell to the floor when she was cutting out patterns......Oh Boy!!! Scraps of yarn......we were playing the whole time and never left Mom's side. Hmmmmmmmm and one wonders why I love fabric so much....LOL!

When I first started quilting, my youngest daughter was 2 years old. I put a little table and chair in my quilt room and I then provided her with lots of age appropriate craft supplies, playdoh, coloring books and a crayons, etc. I just mixed it up day to day. She would spend at least an hour or more with the stuff I gave her and it gave me time to work on my quilts. Besides that time, I would quilt while she napped and again when my hubby got home and took over toddler duty.:)

I guess I was fortunate...when mine were little they played with each other or by themselves if I was sewing...so I usually got a lot done. Can't believe how much time kids take now!

When my husband is home after work, or when I really need time, thats what grandparents are for, just drop them off, nap time is a good time. Although when hubby is home she still wants to be with me sometime so just whenever you grab a chance

What a neat idea, I might have to use that

What if Grandma wants to be sewing? sometimes I begrudgingly take my step grandkids even thought I have plans, yes we have fun but sometimes it disrupts what I wanted to. Grandparents should not be babysitters, We take them when we have time to enjoy them the most!! After all we all ready raised our kids! Off my soapbox now. OOPs

I took care of twins from time they were l until they were 4. They played on the floor right behind me--often with fabric scraps. I guess I was lucky because they entertained each other. I sewed at night when my kids were growing up. I worked away from home and after supper dishes were done, I sewed and the kids and their dad did whatever--usually watched TV. I remember the youngest boy spent one winter sitting on the corner of my sewing desk, watching me and playing with his tiny toy trucks. (It was a 5 ft oak office desk, sturdy as could be.)

Thanks everyone. I do give her fabric and a marker so she can "measure" like Mommy but then she wants to sew. Lol. She is a mommy's girl through and through. Hubby was deployed her first year so we built a bond that is pretty tight. And she is also not one to sit for too long. She gets that from her daddy. But I might try to find her a small table to put upstairs. She has some toys up there but not much.

When my kids were little I couldn't sew because there 9 of them and one would always be ding something they should't in normal kid fashion we also owned our farm so had to help there But I am making up for lost time now and if the grad kids come over I just put it up and play with them

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