Need suggestions for sewing with Granddaughter (age 5)
08-24-2019, 04:56 AM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: East TN
Posts: 2,733
My granddaughter was 4 when she started sewing. I set up a machine on her little Care Bear table so everything was * just her size* and I turned the speed control down to the lowest ( turtle speed) so no matter how hard she stepped on the foot pedal it didn’t get away from her. She made a special quilt for her daddy ( about to be deployed) she did everything except ironing. She cut her fabric with scissors. She laid out the fabrics she was using on the floor the way she wanted everything- did not want help- and I didn’t interfere. Some seams were 1 1/2” wide, some very narrow. It all worked for her. I even turned a tall dresser on its side in front of the longarm for her to walk on so she could quilt it too. She did it all herself. 14 years later that quilt has been all over the world and is still his prize possession.
08-24-2019, 05:12 AM
#12
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: western NY formerly MN, FL, NC, SC
Posts: 51,430
My granddaughter was 4 when she started sewing. I set up a machine on her little Care Bear table so everything was * just her size* and I turned the speed control down to the lowest ( turtle speed) so no matter how hard she stepped on the foot pedal it didn’t get away from her. She made a special quilt for her daddy ( about to be deployed) she did everything except ironing. She cut her fabric with scissors. She laid out the fabrics she was using on the floor the way she wanted everything- did not want help- and I didn’t interfere. Some seams were 1 1/2” wide, some very narrow. It all worked for her. I even turned a tall dresser on its side in front of the longarm for her to walk on so she could quilt it too. She did it all herself. 14 years later that quilt has been all over the world and is still his prize possession.
08-24-2019, 02:35 PM
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,783
My granddaughter was 4 when she started sewing. I set up a machine on her little Care Bear table so everything was * just her size* and I turned the speed control down to the lowest ( turtle speed) so no matter how hard she stepped on the foot pedal it didn’t get away from her. She made a special quilt for her daddy ( about to be deployed) she did everything except ironing. She cut her fabric with scissors. She laid out the fabrics she was using on the floor the way she wanted everything- did not want help- and I didn’t interfere. Some seams were 1 1/2” wide, some very narrow. It all worked for her. I even turned a tall dresser on its side in front of the longarm for her to walk on so she could quilt it too. She did it all herself. 14 years later that quilt has been all over the world and is still his prize possession.
08-24-2019, 04:30 PM
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: The Woodlands, Texas
Posts: 621
I have enjoyed hearing the stories you are sharing. I found a pattern for a tooth fairy pillow that looks just like something we can start with. https://payhip.com/b/kLle
08-24-2019, 06:53 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 548
I have great luck with little ones making pillows. Super simple ones they can take to preschool or sleepovers: pick out fabric, buy long quarter yard, fold over with the right side in, 2 long seams and most of the 3rd, turn right side out, stuff with polyfil, and sew shut. Even my 4 year old was able to do everything but the ironing and he was so proud! He made two pillows and used them until they got so flat they were like crackers 
. when the kids got older we started doing the inner pillow with my cheap muslin and then doing an outer case of the nicer fabric. you can also make a nice preschool sized pillow with two fat quarters and they get two different sides!! adds another seam though.
. when the kids got older we started doing the inner pillow with my cheap muslin and then doing an outer case of the nicer fabric. you can also make a nice preschool sized pillow with two fat quarters and they get two different sides!! adds another seam though.
08-25-2019, 01:42 AM
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,726
Easy Pillow Cover for child to sew
Sewing with your Granddaughter sounds wonderful. Go to the link below to find how to make a pillow cover pattern that is free to download. The pattern is written for children to sew. I hope this helps. Have fun!
http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/bags-p...set-sew-pillow
http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/bags-p...set-sew-pillow
08-25-2019, 02:17 AM
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,726
Baby Doll Sleeping Bag
Me again with one more idea for sewing with your grand daughter. This project would be more of a joint effort, but still lots of fun! I listed the link below for you to see how its done!
Quilted Baby Doll Sleeping bag with attached pillow
Quilted Baby Doll Sleeping bag with attached pillow
08-25-2019, 03:19 AM
#20
Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 79
I have enjoyed sewing a few times with my sister and her granddaughters. When they are very young, it helps if I use a ruler to draw a pencil line at the seam allowance for them to follow. We have made tiny pillow shapes, filled them with dried beans or rice or whatever was in the pantry, and sewed them closed for bean bags. Then the girls can invent games with them or have a gift for someone. Just be sure the project and your attitude allows them to be successful. My friend reported after sewing with her 5 yr old granddaughter that one day the friend “ had to rip out every stitch the child sewed”. I think perfection would interfere with the joy of the experience and might discourage any future sewing.
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