Sew a basic stitch

What can we use instead of felt or a blunt needle if those are hard to find?

If you don't have felt, use craft foam or a scrap of sturdy cotton fabric and if you can't find a blunt sewing needle, use a large plastic or yarn needle with thicker thread so it passes easily through the material.

My needle won't go through the felt or my stitches are uneven—what should I try?

If the needle is hard to push through or the 1 cm running stitches are uneven, pre-mark the stitch spacing with the ruler, pre-poke tiny holes 1 cm apart with the tip of the safety scissors or a pin (adult help), and switch to a thicker needle or thread so it moves more smoothly.

How can I adapt this activity for younger or older kids?

For younger children, pre-cut the 6×2-inch rectangle, use a large plastic needle and yarn and have an adult tie the knots, while older kids can use finer embroidery floss, practice smaller even stitches, or increase the rectangle size to make a bigger bookmark.

How can we personalize or extend the bookmark after finishing the basic stitch?

Personalize the finished bookmark by embroidering initials with embroidery floss, gluing or sewing extra felt shapes or sequins before tying the final knot, adding a ribbon loop at the top, and then share a photo on DIY.org.