[/quote]Just as an aside. In Home Ec we also learned how to balance a check book, budget for the household, determine the "actual price" for something (just because it costs less, doesn't mean it is a bargain). Then there was the etiquette class involving how to dress for certain occasions (I cannot stand seeing some one at a funeral in cut up blue jeans), proper correspondence, tipping, even how to get in and out of a car. Also, the hygiene section, hair and skin care, how to do manicures and pedicures, and how diet affects your body. A lot of things are missing from today's eduction.[/quote]

And we also learned how to serve at luncheons, teas, etc., as well as how to set the table, pick up the dishes. The girls whoi were really good at it were asked to serve at lots of public dinner meetings. That was kinda fun.

Suggest you talk with a local 4-H leader about the sewing ideas. I learned to sew while in 4-H about 60 years ago!!!
Or contact a Home Extension bureau near you. Good luck.

My GD lives with me. She has autism. I have taught her to sew. She is in a cooking class in high school. Some of the things that come to mind to teach is safety and sanitation. DGD has been introduced to the use of large chef knives and all the safety that goes along with their use. If a knife is falling off a counter top -- step away. Never put the knife down into a sink of water --- wash it and put it away. How to prevent fires and burns. Each student must pass the safety test to be able to go into the actual cooking part of the class. Then there is safety in food handling -- washing hands, keeping foods safe to eat, etc. I have addressed safety in handling rotary cutters and scissors, keeping hands away from the sewing machine needle. With the iron - - keeping the cord out of the way so no one would trip over it and pull the hot iron down on themselves, or keeping these things out of the reach of a toddler. In cooking how to put out grease fires, turn the pot handles so no one would knock a pot off of the stove. AND I just bet that an older member of the family can have some stories of how things were done in the "olden days". GD and I actually churned butter when we talked about the earlier settlers and how foods had to be prepared. We had a book about earlier settlers kitchens and another book introducing the use of baking powder. My mother, born in 1914, was still living and I asked her what they did to make cakes without the use of baking powder. She remembered when baking powder was being introduced to the homemakers and told how relucent families were to use baking powder. People thought it would "eat up the linning of their stomach", so the "peddlers" who traveled to rural areas selling all kinds of products from coffee, kitchen utinsels, dishes, and black pepper to "snake oil" had info about the use of baking powder. Perhaps your grandmother will remember Watkins, Jewel Tea, Stanley Products, etc. In fact your "student" could do research on these things and write an English paper killing two birds with one stone. Hope this is food for thought

I still remember my Home Ec teacher explaining the difference between baking powder and baking soda! That's definitely the recipe I remember best and I still make home-made biscuits. Can't stand the canned or frozen ones. We also made an apron and a gathered skirt with a zipper, but that's probably not in style now!

Sewing straight! In home ec we were given line paper, no thread in machine, & had to sew on the lines. They were straight ones, notebook paper works. Then the same with continuous circle. It seemed to work! Just a suggestion!

Being a former Home Ec teacher, I always found that it was important to learn to do some hand stitching before you worry about the sewing machine. You didn't say how old the child was but they are never to young to learn to put in a hem, sew on a button etc. Aprons are a fine thing to start with but why 5? Children get bored really quick and 5 of anything is alot. If you are going to teach foods, you need to take a field trip to your supermarket and start with what is in the store and comparing prices etc. Home Ec is really an involved subject but at least you will be giving her a head start on what most young people get.

Basic sewing machine skills are great, threading, sewing a straight line and learning to layout a pattern. Also choosing the material for the project. Sounds like a neat field trip to Joann's to see threads and materials.

Hope this didn't get too involved but I really feel that the basics are important.

We did a gingham apron (pockets embellished with rick rack and we put our name on the front with a chain stitch) and then we did a four patch pin cushion. That was 35 years ago and I haven't stopped sewing since.

OH MAKE POT HOLDERS SO EVERYBODDY CAN USE THEM WHEN YOU START YOUR COOKING CLASS.THEN SHE CAN KEEP THEM FOR GOOD
MEMORIES.

An apron's a good idea - after the machine use and maintenance that others have suggested. But I think making 5 is overkill, and you could really turn her off! Other good suggestions have been a pillowcase and pillowcase dress to donate. Also a simple shopping/grocery bag or drawstring backpack.

Pajama bottoms would be a hit!