Help and advice needed from anyone who has been there
 

I have a 9 yoa gd that wants to learn to make a quilt. She has never sewn. I am seeking advise from those of you who have taught a child to sew. Where should I start with her? I only see her one day every other week, when my son has her for the day. Can anyone give me some good ideas? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

My gd and I made a quilt when she was 8. She picked out a charm pack and laid the squares out on the floor in an arrangement that she liked. She was quite picky about it! Then she sewed the squares into rows. She was scared of her new machine (a Christmas gift) so she sat on my lap, but she operated it. Her seams varied from 1/8 to 1 inch in width on the same square. LOL When her rows were finished, she sewed the rows together. Of course the quilt top was wonky. We used flannel for a backing and I birthed it. Then she picked out buttons and we sewed a button onto the middle of each square instead of tying the quilt. She was very pleased with it and we had fun making it. In hind sight I would have purchased yardage of her choosing and used 12" blocks. the charm pack had too many pieces for her attention span. I think the idea of no batting is good and she really liked the button idea as she liked going thru my button stash.

I taught both my daughters at that age. Sadly, they got bored with the pattern I picked..memories for me though I have a quilt the three of us has worked on. Now the good news is when i let them choose they loved it! My oldest loves batiks so she took a charm pack and did half squares and made a star illusion dresser topper. My other daughter picked to do charm squares, sewed them together into a nine patch, she loves to FMQ so she did her own and I bond both. I found that if I gave them the freedom to come up with their own they loved it!! They both use there dresser toppers in their rooms! Hope that helps!

when my granddaughter's started sewing i set them up a table that was just their size- with chairs that fit them- used a machine i could turn the speed down on-so if they were a little heavy footed it did not get out of control. they laid their fabrics out on the floor the way they wanted them then they sewed them together- they used scissors to cut- i ironed for them- and if they wanted anything cut they had trouble with they brought it to me for using the rotory cutter (no one under 18 gets to use the cutters)
the youngest was 4 when she made her daddy a special quilt---some of her seams were narrow, some were an inch wide- few were very straight- but she made it her way- loved it- he loved it even more & now 8 years later- it is still one of his all time best/favorite quilts and i'm sure will be so all his life.
her skills have improved, her interest and ability has grown over the years - as has the other 2 girls also...in our world the fact i give them (fairly free rein) with guidance has sparked their creativity and made them feel if they can ((envision) it they can create it :D

One little tip to get a child used to a machine:

Have them "sew" on a piece of paper (no thread and an old needle), lining up the edge of the paper with the foot until they feel comfortable with the 1/4" seam allowance.

I once taught a group of young homeschooled girls how to quilt using "Cool Stuff: Teach Me to Quilt" from Leisure Arts. It's a terrific little book with 7 projects, including a Trip Around the World throw and a Pinwheel quilt.

All five of my grandchildren have learned to sew on my Janome with the speed set on low. It took away the fear of going too fast and gave them control. As for patterns, I love the D9P. Making a nine patch block is not as daunting as sewing lots of squares together. I will never forget the look in my grandson's eyes when I cut up his nine patch, or the fun he had rearranging those squares. Set with bold sashings, it got bigger and went together quickly. I think doing it together is the most fun and helps the process move along so a child does not get bored.

Wonderful suggestions from all. Thank you so much.

A really good suggestion!

I taught my 11 year old GS to piece one summer and he continued to work on his quilt at Christmas with me. I've had kids as young as 8 in classes; often they are better students than the adults!

All the suggestions you've received here are really on the nose. You will have the treasure of a lifetime when you spend this time with your grands! Just wish I had more of them to share the experience with myself.:)

Jan in VA

My grand daughter started with a favorite scrap from my bag of scraps with a needle and thread. Later she wanted a cat blanket so I helped her sew it on my machine, set at lowest speed. She kept making little bags with long handles to wear over her shoulder... hand sewn. When she came to visit and we had time she would try a few seams on my machine. She is now using her mom's machine and still sewing bags she can wear over her shoulder. The latest one had a zigzag stitch to hold the fold over on the strap, she is creative and learning on her own. Next year she will be in home ec and they will tell her the proper way to do things, meanwhile we are letting her find her own voice and enjoy herself. I have a cousin who was taught at home ec and hates to sew because they didn't let her do anything her way. It's ok to experiment and enjoy the learning process. It doesn't have to be perfect, it has to be fun so they have a love for sewing. Need for Perfection attacks us all eventually.

A friend and I had a sewing camp one year at church for 2 weeks....3 days each week. We started with the basics of going over all the machine parts and patterns and had them sew on paper first to get the feel of the machine. Then we helped them make basic things like a bag for their sewing supplies. We helped the older group make pajama bottoms for themselves. When they had extra time, they made pillowcases to donate to Conker Cancer.

I would have her pick colors from your stash, and cut them into 5-6" squares. Have her lay them out in a pattern about the size of a doll blanket (4 X 6 squares). I would use a foot with a 1/4" guide, and put the machine on the lowest speed possible, either you drive with her on your lap. Have her practice on 12" squares first.

One thing I think might help, buy a 1/4 inch with guide presser foot for your machine. Thank way, your grandaughter won't have to be so concerned about a 1/4 inch seam. It will happen automatically when she puts the fabric up to the guide,all she will have to do is keep the fabric next to the guide and just sew. I have a 1/4 inch presser foot with guide for al my sewing machines. Just a thought!

I did much the same as many above with granddaughter. She was about 7 with her first venture where she picked out fabric and I cut it, and she sat on my lap. This year, she is 9 1/2 and I showed her how to use the machine, what 1/4 inch seem looked like and set a guide and she did it mostly herself. Of course her seams were wonky and sometimes she forgot to put the presser foot down, but she was mighty pleased with herself. I glue basted it for her and she quilted it, next to the ditch. I put the binding on and she sat with me while we sewed it on the other side. I let her make her own mistakes and didn't want to discourage her with looking for "perfect". "Good enough" was good enough for us. I kept telling her she would get better with practice and there are no "quilt police", and just to have fun. She doesn't live near me so our efforts are few and far between.

This book, DVD and pattern is great for teaching a child to quilt.

http://www.quiltinaday.com/shoponlin...play.asp?i=635

I cut the fabric and then guide them with quilting. Besure to let her pick out the fabrics. Also I let the child sew but when they feel done I don't push them but let them. then the next time we work on it again.

When my 10 yr old granddaughter came to visit for 2 1/2 weeks in July I taught her to quilt on my mother's 70+ yr old sewing machine with knee peddle! She had never seen a sewing machine before much less sewed on one. I didn't tell here what I had in mind for her to do while she was here. First day I had her do an easy Sudodu puzzle. Next day she picked out nine of her favorite fabrics. Next day I cut each of them into 6" blocks. Each day we did a row and you know where I'm going. I had it worked out that in the last three days I would help her sandwich and machine quilt her own quilt and the last day before she left I wanted to bind it and have it all finished for her to take home. Unfortunately I broke my arm a couple of days before she left but we did manage to get the top all done and I gave her enough 2 1/2" strips to have someone else help her finish it for her. I was so dissappointed that it couldn't be me but at least we did the project together. She lives in Florida and I in Maryland but we do keep in touch. Other grandkids are all boys and they have no interest but so be it. I have my memories and Lici has her quilt. LOL

I would never start with a quilt again. My GD is a high strung perfectionist and there were too many traumas. As seldom as you have your precious GD, I'd start with a pillow so she can have the feeling of accomplishment that comes with a finish, then progress to the quilt.

My 9 yo GS is working on a pillow here. A 9 patch with a feature fabric in the center on each side. His is military - imagine that. The first side he used my 301 with its small handwheel as a handcrank. He wasn't comfortable with the electics. Friday night he switched to the motor. I do think handcranking it gave him a feel for the 1/4" without worrying about zooming around. My only machine I can slow down is not a good quilter - she eats edges.

Uh, this one isn't sitting on my lap - he weighs more than I do.

Enjoy your time together.

I always start with tool safety and use. It is not a lecture as I get them to use the tool(s) to make a little sample. then we join the samples all together and thus form a quilt. They get to do bigger stuff later if they show interest - the skill part comes with practice. I don't get too critical of their efforts but encourage them to make something that will not fall apart. I was 7 when I was machine sewing and I have instructed sensible kids who were younger. They don't get to sew with me if they behave in a dangerous way to themselves or others. They like it better if you don't dominate or do the work for them.

I started with my almost nine year old grand daughter this summer and believe it or not she loved to iron. While she ironed scraps and I cut standard cut squares we began to talk about colors and why it was important to have straight edges. We then went to my stash and picked out 9 fabrics that she liked and made 12 inch blocks for a simple nine patch. I used some scraps for her to practice sewing a straight (well, almost straight) seam and to lean how much pressure to put on the pedal. We do all of this so naturally because of our time invested in sewing. She needed some experience. For me the hardest part was allow her to sew without my hands guiding her. One rule that I have found with teaching anyone anything is....when they get tired let them stop. My GD would stop and I could see her losing tired slumped shoulders, so we stopped and I would sew on my project for a while. She would see me being persistent with my work and she would return and work on her quilt a little more. The end result was a joyful little girl who made the 9 patch, I quilted it and she and I worked on the binding together. A little hand sewing by her and I together. She is so proud of her project! I am looking forward to her coming back next summer for a new sewing project.

For first time sewers - pajama bottoms or elastic waist shorts are another good project.

Or pillow cases.

I have trouble making decent potholders - so i don't recommend them for a first project.

In 1948, I learned to sew a straight line in Home Ec class on a piece of paper with lines on it to follow. We had to sew down one side stop at the corner, turn and sew to the next corner, etc. I had been sewing for years before that, but that was how the teachers taught the girls (only girls) to sew a straight line.

And by the way - boys do want to sew. You just have to give them a chance to see if they take to it or not.

Ideas on teaching a child to sew...
 

Our 10 yr. old, when she was 8, wanted to make a block on the featherweight when they were here one time. I had some big Plaids which made it very easy for her to learn to sew a straight seam. She didn't get the blocks made, but had fun learning to follow the lines on the gingham!
Mariah

I agree with Happyquiltmom - but I would go one step further. When letting them sew on paper, draw lines for them to follow, that will help their hand/eye coordination and how to position the needle. I helped a Girl Scout camp with sewing and saw that they needed a tutorial - most of them never used a machine before. I told the leader to have them learn the parts of the machine first and practice on paper - to me it is a safety issue. We had 5 machines and 12 girls, so we were stretched thin in helping those who never sewed before. Hopefully, the GS will listen to my idea and give the girls some instruction before they sew at the next camp. Maybe I should be there..........

Back in the 90's we lived in northern Illinois, and my husband and I both taught a group of homeschoolers from our church one day a week. He taught the boys aviation, cartooning, then anything they wanted to learn. I taught the girls and their mothers and grandmothers quilting. All by hand. I did not teach any of them machine work. My youngest wanted to quilt when she was a little past 4, and had a small quilt finished when she was 4-1/2. Her next oldest sister asked to start quilting for her 6th birthday. Incidentally, the 4 year old is graduating from college in May. Just to say young children can learn to quilt - one year they did piecing, the next year, applique, and then we reversed it each year.

I taught my grand kids to sew by giving them a piece of paper picking out a piece of fabric their choice sewing it down adding another piece seaming it to the first one continuing on until the paper was full.It was all choice. then we made it into a pillow .Only one of them continued to quilt but many had their pillows for years.

I worked with my 7 year old granddaughter. She did great, but lost interest. I let her stop and in about an hour we did some more sewing. I think we stopped and started at least six or seven times but she did get her little top done and was really pleased. We picked some squares that were already cut from my scrapes and we made her dollie a really nice little quilt.

I wish I had more time with my grands too, 8 to 12 yrs of age is the best time for them to learn. Once they get into teens, things change for them. I guess that's just life!

My only granddaughter has no interest in sewing but great niece (9 yrs) wanted to learn to quilt so - she comes to my sewing room and we "quilt". She is left handed and I am not so that was a challenge - she has her own scissors so that helped and I reversed the ironing board set-up. She has a lead foot and her machine has no speed adjustment but nshe is getting better with controlling the speed. She has picked her fabrics from my stash, cut out her own squares and sewn them first in rows and then the rows into a top for an American Girl doll quilt. Borders have to be added and she has chosen to tie it off but I hope she will be able to complete by end of year. It has been so much fun to spend time with her, see thing thru her eyes and bond together. She says Great Aunt Judy is cool and fun so I guess my teaching has been successful and hopefully she will continue her "quilting" long after I'm gone.:thumbup:

That was how I learned to do straight seams and control the speed in school. Mom worked and until I reached that age we didn't work together on stuff. I did more hand embroidery-learned on the stamped hot pads from the dime store.

I started my grand kids with strip quilts....5" width of fabric. They made them for the Children's Hospital here. They were very proud.

I taught my 10 year old neighbor to quilt last summer using Disappearing 9 Patch.....you should have seen the look on her face when I took her into my craft room and told her to pick out any 54 fabrics that she loved! I stressed the 1/4" seam and showed her how my machine has moleskin on it to help with that seam. Her quilt turned out really great! (Oh, and I used the rotary cutter for her as she was scared of it and I couldn't find a cut-proof glove small enough for her hand) Enjoy the experience and don't try to accomplish too much at once!

I started my granddaughter off making pillowcases. I let her pick from my stash (she always seems to choose my most loved fabrics - but I can't tell her no). She made some for her camp counselors this summer choosing fabrics that reminded her of them - she really was proud of her finished works and loved the praise they gave her. I bought her a very inexpensive Janome - three stitches, low speed - good to start but once she used my Diamond she didn't want to go back.

I sewed with both grandkids that live in the area.. . A boy and a girl. To me the most important thing is to keep it fun. Neither one has gone on to be quilters but they are still young. they are able to use a machine and work with fabric and somewhere in their future its there if they want it. They picked out projects and we kept them small and doable. . . Doll quilt, pillow, etc. if nothing else, I hope it left them with a feeling that sewing is a pleasure and it was a happy time spent with Gramma.

Nine is a great age to start quilting. The first thing I'd do is ask the mama if she could come to YOU (not necessarily your son's day) more often to work on sewing. Maybe stay for a weekend once a month (although at that age they really like to get things done). Of course you'll spend a lot of time talking/showing about fingers and needles (I'd get her a purple thang if you don't already have one)! Try to let her go through your stash (or the part of your stash you are willing to share) w/o too many suggestions from you. Let her fly on her own; if she decides later that she doesn't like some aspect of "her" quilt, she can do it differently next time.

Eight to about 12 is a wonderful age to begin learning to sew/guilt. For both boys and girls. They aren't so socially conscious yet and more willing to try things, and yet have a sense of "working". Younger and older are fun also, but by the time they get into their teens time becomes an element.

I have enjoyed reading this post. I work with the girls in my neighborhood on fair projects and sewing. One tip that I have is to teach hand sewing starting with plastic canvas, yarn, and a blunt needle. It seems natural to us, but they need practice in applying the principle of "what goes up, goes down before it goes up again" and keeping the yarn/thread from getting hung up or tangling.

I have ordered a "finger guard" for the Featherweight, since machine sewing for the 2 girls who are almost 8 is next on their list. The 10 year old is doing fine. She just finished a 9 patch pillow to give her mother for Christmas, and she is proud of the way it turned out.

We will be doing tissue covers for their teacher gifts, but I may be turning the handwheel on the machine for the 7 year olds at first. With such short seams, I don't think my arm will get too tired. They will have a project that can be finished quickly.

I think I mentioned before on the board that we are planning a "Little House on the Prairie" quilt during school vacation. They need practice in cutting, and we will start by cutting apart old plaid cotton shirts. I found a blue chambray curtain at a garage sale that looks like the kind of fabric my dad's shirts were made of, so we will alternate that with the plaids. The whole thing will be a lesson in recycling and teamwork (there are 3 girls). I plan to make an applique out of a Holly Hobbie panel to be put on top of the boring plaids, but they don't know that yet.

My Granddaughter was 6 and we started with pillow cases for her Aunt who was getting married. She picked the fabric, I cut and then I drew the quarter inch for all the seams for her to follow. Her attention span is also short and she is a perfectionist so got a little frustrated at times. She loves to sew, but not necessarily make anything. She likes to "practice" with all the stitches. I only see her twice a year because she lives too far away, but it is our special thing to do together, so I hope the interest continues. I also slowed down the speed and stressed the safety part of where her fingers and hands had to go

The munchkin next door wanted to learn how to sew at age 6. She is a smart little cookie, so I took advantage of her desire (eyes lit up at the thought of using the machine). Rule #1: thou shalt not touch the rotary cutter - it is a dangerous tool (even for some adults!). So, I did the cutting and she did the sewing. Before very many sessions, she was using all of the correct terminology and knew the parts of the machine and what they did. She even had a list of her favorite decorative stitches. Recommendation: use 3M Command strips on the machine bed as a 1/4" guide. Another good practice thing is to use a muslin base and selvedge strips to "build" a square or a rectangle to make a selvedge place mat. She made a set of 4 for her family - all carefully chosen to fit the mother, father, little brother, and herself. She is a whiz at this. Rachel just turned 9 today and so far she has made a reversible tote bag for her mom, a pillow for her brother, the set of place mats, a ruffled reversible baby bib and a child's apron in addition to the sample quilt squares. All of these at her request. Her mother does not sew and finds this amazing. It warms my heart to pick up the phone and hear "Can we sew today, Miss Kay?" Absolutely, Rachel - come on over.

when my granddaughter's started sewing i set them up a table that was just their size- with chairs that fit them- used a machine i could turn the speed down on-so if they were a little heavy footed it did not get out of control. they laid their fabrics out on the floor the way they wanted them then they sewed them together- they used scissors to cut- i ironed for them- and if they wanted anything cut they had trouble with they brought it to me for using the rotory cutter (no one under 18 gets to use the cutters)
the youngest was 4 when she made her daddy a special quilt---some of her seams were narrow, some were an inch wide- few were very straight- but she made it her way- loved it- he loved it even more & now 8 years later- it is still one of his all time best/favorite quilts and i'm sure will be so all his life.
her skills have improved, her interest and ability has grown over the years - as has the other 2 girls also...in our world the fact i give them (fairly free rein) with guidance has sparked their creativity and made them feel if they can ((envision) it they can create it QUOTE
Ckcowl, what a nice way to teach them.

My 9 yo grandson and 6 yo granddaughter asked me if they could sew with me. Am I ever happy they asked! Unfortunately, I work almost full time yet, and the kiddos live about 2 1/2 hours away, so we don't see them very often. I am hoping for some sewing time with them this spring/summer, even taking vacation time to do so!