SHARJAH, UAE- Bright yarn, wooden hoops and a splash of creativity brought colour to the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026), where young visitors transformed simple strands of yarn into textured designs during an interactive punch needle embroidery workshop titled ‘Punch it Out’.
Designed for children aged eight to ten, the workshop introduced participants to punch needle embroidery, a textile art technique in which a special needle pushes yarn through fabric to create raised loops, gradually forming patterns and textured designs.
Before picking up their needles, the children were encouraged to think about how they felt. Stress, anxiety, restlessness and other emotions became the starting points for their creations, with each child choosing colours, shapes and textures to bring those feelings to life on fabric.
With fabric stretched across small wooden embroidery hoops, the young artists set to work. Following simple outlines, they carefully punched yarn through the fabric, watching as tiny loops grew into colourful pictures.
Bright red hearts, playful shapes and cheerful patterns began to emerge as the children experimented with different shades and combinations.
The repeated punching motion encouraged concentration and offered a calming activity. As they worked, the children also practised hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, discovering how patience could turn a simple piece of fabric into something they could take home.
Guiding the young artists was 22-year-old Jordanian Fatima Ayyad, who developed her love of arts and crafts during her school years. For Ayyad, the workshop offered children an opportunity to discover new ways to express themselves.
“They learn how to express themselves. Some activities are designed to help children release stress and channel their energy. They also develop their sensory and motor skills, learn to distinguish between different textures, colours and shapes, and discover how to work together,” she said.
Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026) runs from November 4 to 15 at Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme ‘Made of Stories’, with the Sultanate of Oman as Guest of Honour. The fair brings together 3,212 publishers and exhibitors from 126 countries, showcasing more than 1.7 million titles. Its programme features 1,500 cultural, creative and artistic events, with 106 guests from 25 countries.
