I have purchased a Janome mini for my 10 year old GD for Christmas and am looking for suggestions on what would be a good first project for her. I primarily piece quilt tops (lots of cottons in my stash) but have also done a little clothes sewing so keep that in mind when you give me your suggestions.

I expect that we will start our first project the day after Christmas so appreciate whatever suggestions you offer. Thanks.

Pillow case

Pajama bottoms - can buy a big t-shirt to go with

stuffed toy

If I were teaching a young child, I would probably begin with a sewing charm squares together to make a small quilt.

I teach new sewers of any age string piecing as there are no mistakes.

Do a tube pillowcase. Nothing to sew except straight seams. Maybe even make a pillow to put in it. Again, nothing but straight seams.

As an Extension educator and taught young 4-H's and other youth, I started with a 4 patch pillow. Check out the Alex Anderson - Beginner quilting book with kids. Has several different quilt projects and some fun things kids will love to do.

I also taught a Pajama pants class for beginners.

Enjoy and have fun and don't forget the basics and safety.

I would start with learning the machine and how it works. :thumbup:

These are all excellent ideas. So the plan right now is to: Show her how the machine works and go to the library to check out a book for sewing with children. Both the pillowcase and pajama pants are good starter projects. Thanks everyone, you all are why I love this board.

Something that works with me - when it comes to the machine or whatever

Show me "how" - then let me "do " it. I can be told and told, but until I actually try it, I don't "get it"

Example: Thread the machine - then unthread it and have her do it. (more than once, if necessary)

Have more than one bobbin available - you wind one - then have her wind one,

Etc. etc.

I think it's important to have something they can use - and that making to fit will not be a problem.

I'm teaching GD's too. I started with having them learn to thread the machine, wind bobbins, etc. Then I had them sew around lines on paper. All shapes, round, square, triangle, etc. Then we moved on to fabric I found that looked like quilt patches sewn together. I had them sew on the fake quilt lines, using batting & backing. Next we made kitchen towels. Sewed pot holders & a loop to hang them. That's as far as we've gotten so far. They're in sports, so finding free time to sew isn't easy. I have some pre-cut kits I bought at a quilt show for them to do. Magnet quilts, pillowcases, aprons. I do allot of garment sewing & hope to teach them to make blue jeans eventually. Their Mom wants me to make them curtains for their bedroom for Christmas. I'm going to try to get them involved in it too.

I used the rail fence pattern to teach my 7 yo about the 1/4 seam and making her first quilt. It turned out gorgeous, I made the outside strips of the blocks a little bigger to allow me to cut them down and square them up. She did everything except the rotary cutting. And the pattern was free from quilters cache.

Here is the pic... this is before it was quilted.

My youngest student is 10. She was having a real problem keeping her seams even until I asked her what she was looking at. When she said the needle. I explained how all the needle does it go up and down. Then she was able to control her seams better. Felt like a real break though with her.

Excellent suggestion!

One of the first projects I made when I was that age was a little drawstring purse.

These are more good ideas. I learn best too by doing it!

You must be a great teacher, as this is a fabulous quilt.

Sorry, I don't know what string piecing is. Can you explain it?

Pillow case is a good place to start. Nice long straight seams. For us "experienced sewers" we forgot how difficult it is to sew a straight line and manage the speed of the machine.

If that goes well, you might progress to large blocks and sewing them together.

I would stay away from stuffed animals. My daughter's girl scout troop when she was about 10 went to a local shop to learn to sew and the owner had them making teddy bears. They were definitely unique. Today - my daughter is 19 and when I mention to her about sewing with me (I have three machines) she trots out her bear with uneven arms and legs and says something like - "You want it to look like this!"

So remember the golden rule - KISS - Keep it Simple

Actually the pattern is so easy that it was not stressful for either of us. Right now she has a scrappy log cabin in the works. I would suggest investing in a 1/4 foot it made things so much easier on this latest project, on the first one I marked 1/4 with tape on my machine and had her line up the fabric with it. I also showed her how to pin the beginning and the end of the strips so that they stayed together easier.

I had strips from previous projects, my girls (GD's) wanted to sew a few of them together. Beofre you know it they learned on their own to cut them across and make a nine patch. Of course they didn't realize what they done but I was very surprised!

Disappearing Nine Patch with sharp contrasts in the colors.

This will go fast and be colorful and something she can brag about.

I start with a foundation piece, can be anything, about 10 -11" square. Then lay the first piece right side up from corner to corner diagonally, the next piece goes right side down. Sew about a 1/4" seam. Fold the top piece over, I finger press, sew the next strip down right sides together. Continue until the foundation is covered. I start on one side and then do the other side. Trim to what ever sized you want. If this doesn not answer your question send me a PM.

Loolabell,

If it were my GD, I'd ask her what she would want to make. Then I'd put together a few options for her to choose from.

Once you know what she is 'into' you can decide if you can donate from your stash or prefer to take her on a FART [fabric acquisition road trip] specifically for her project.

The kids I worked with chose to make pillows andmade their own designs. They still have those pillows and love them.

ali

my grand daughter is always wanting to be in my sewing room so we can make stuff..

The first thing I taught my DGD was a pillowcase out of flannel. That was 5 years ago and she still uses it. Next she made a log cabin pillow for her DM for Christmas. That was 5 yrs ago, she is now 15 and working on a black & white double quilt for herself. She is still shy of the rotary cutter, so I still supervise this, but, other than that, she chooses the colours and fabric on her own. Have fun teaching, it is very rewarding, especially, when they decide they like it.....

pillowcases are great for beginners

Sounds as if you have it under control. Its great that you are teaching, when I was in school we had home ect. and the first thing we were taught about the machine and then made an apron and pot holders. This went along with learning to cook.

Cookie

Hi,
I don't know how old your GD is, but when my daughter was
5, I helped her make a little quilt that had a four patch for
one block and an alternating single patch for the second block. It turned out really cute and she did a great job.
Just a suggestion.
Have a Great Day!
Marcia

My first machine sewing project was an apron in 4-H.. it was a simple square (just my size) hemmed on 3 sides and a casing on the 4th side. we made a drawstring for the waist and threaded it through the casing.. I got a blue ribbon at the fair.. and it took a whole yard of fabric.. and a monster was created. How very exciting to help a youngster learn a craft that will serve them well throughout their life.. Good for you.

The first thing I did with my Granddaughter was to tear pages out of a coloring book for her to sew on without thread. There is a great book called Raggedy Reverse. She has worked with kids as young as 4 and has some really neat projects. I got my Janome 6600P when she GD was 7. She had been sewing a couple of years. When I picked it up we both sewed with it and she prefers to sew on it to this day (now 11). She likes Thread painting and she knows when that 1/4 inch seam needs to be taken out and redone.

Diane/Wyoming/Janome 6600P

I would teach a small project so she has instant gratification and won't be disappointed with too many facts and suggestions. Try a doll blanket or pincushion or small purse.

Several years ago - okay, 38 years ago - I taught beginner sewing classes at our local Singer Sewing Centers (remember those?!?!?). The first thing I did was to teach them how the machine works ("DON'T SNAP THE PRESSER FOOT DOWN!!!"). Then to practice stitching, I had them practice sewing using only a used/dull needle on paper. I had straight lines, angles, curves (gentle and not-so-gentle to gauge mechanical skills), circles of three sizes, and stitching a 5/8" seam allowance from a highlighed line drawn (it was a garment sewing program). The important thing was to get them used to coordinating foot pedal pressure for consistent speed (regardless how fast it was) and coordinating the position of the needle in relationship to the line. After looking at the papers, I could see exactly where they needed help and attention in the actual mechanics of sewing with a machine. In addition to sewing charm squares together (for potholders, table runners, wall hangings - maybe with fusible appliques!), I'd also suggest a tote/gift bag project, or buying a ready-made panel and sewing on borders. I suggest the panel because sometimes it's more important to the kid to make/complete something "big" like the person who teaches her does all the time; then, since they finished something "big" and I have their attention, we work on refinement skills and incremental challenges and skill-building. Hope this helps, and thanks for listening!

My first project when a little girl was an apron. Then I started on clothes. I was making a lot of my clothes by 10. When I got to high school, I had to take home ec even though I didn't want to. First project - an apron!!!

Strip blocks, sewn onto paper squares, then sashed and sewn together. Be sure to show her how to press each seam with either iron or handheld presser.

Whatever you decide to do and how to teach her HAVE FUN!

My daughter, now 16, has always loved it when my mom comes and they spend time sewing together. What precious memories my daughter will have with her Granny. That to me is (and hopefully to her someday)more important than anything!

Putting the thread on the bobbin is the coolest thing to watch for those who have never done it.
My opinion, Basic Machine, how to change stitch lengths, create zig zag, how to thread, make a bobbin :) sew a straight seam, even if using a light stripe to follow, I wouldn't get too hung up on the 1/4 seam as long as they are all the same, can teach that later and why. Mark and cut, some adults don't like rotary cutters, I'd be a wreck to let a little one loose with one:) can make a pattern out of news print, freezer paper, etc. How to use a tape measure, what the markings mean.
Apron, Pillow case, Pillow, Drawstring bag, easy and quickly done.
Good Luck and have Fun !!

Oh goodness have a 9 year old in my world, will be watching for all the good advise here :)

This worked well with my children and makes a very nice quilt that they themselves can make. I would recommend rotary cutting the strips for her but besides that she can do the whole quilt herself.

http://www.quiltinaday.com/shoponlin...ilt&i=635&pg=4

Your grandaughter is a lucky girl.
A pillowcase (hot dog method) would be easy, and she could pick out the perfect fabric!
A mini quilt for her favorite doll.
A little tote bag for her things.
A little purse for her.
An apron, so she could help you in the kitchen.
A special birthday placemat.
Some of those coasters made with the four pieces of overlapping fabric (sorry, can't recall their name).

Oh, there are so many things...the hard part will be choosing which one.

p.s Little felt ornaments in the shape of mittens, stockings, snowmen, stars, bells...etc. She would learn careful cutting, and could stitch around the edges, and then decorate them with glued on sequins, beads, cording, etc.

I still have my first project - a potholder. I learned sewing including pivoting at corners when it was quilted and embroidery when I decorated it with a jack-o-lantern. It was also finished with a blanket stitch. I was 9 years old when I made it and at 61, I'm still proudly using it.

My thanks to everyone for the suggestions and encouragement in making this new experience a fabulous one for me and my 10 yr old GD. I really like the idea of taking first things first, so I'll be teaching her about operating her machine safely, then threading it and winding the bobbin. After she masters those things, I have her practice on sewing on the lines of coloring book pages. When those steps have been completed, I'll have her choose a project (pillowcase, draw-string purse, doll quilt, etc) and allow her to shop from my stash. Really looking forward to this, can hardly wait for Santa to bring her new machine.