Ideas for 8 year old.
 

My precious 8 year old granddaughter has expressed a great desire to learn to sew!!! I have purchased her the little green Janome Hello Kitty sewing machine for Christmas. Hope this was the correct one. They had two other Hello Kitty models but I decided on the green one. Anyway, I was wondering what you all would suggest as simple first projects for her to try!! All suggestions greatly appreciated.

Pillowcase

Doll quilt, simple tote bag, pillows.

I started my grand children with pillow case. A quick project that they can use immediately.

Then we did pj's. Simple pull on pants and over the head top. Or just the pants teamed up with a matching color T-shirt.
They are proud to wear them and it doesnt matter how straight seams are.

For quilting, the first project was simple squares 6 1/2" sewed together (I did the cutting). Chose 2 or 3 colors, one a novelity print that they pick out. They made a lap quilt to use while watching TV. Tie the quilt. It is much more forgiving for uneven seams, and use a puffy batting rather than a flat one like warm and natural. Hides the fact that the squares may not be flat.

You are a wonderful Gramma, she will love it. I would start with something simple like a pillowcase or a pillow. You are so lucky, I have two Granddaughters, 19 and 25 and neither one has any interest in learning to sew.

Yes.. pillowcase; doll blanket; pillow... not knowing your grandaughter... it's possible she could create something requiring a bit more understanding. When my daughter age 7/8 wanted to learn to sew, I let her pick a pattern and we went from there. She enjoyed the process... going to the store, picking the pattern and fabric. Ended up making a wrap-around skirt (does this date us?). :o Before that, I had let her use the scissors and sit to my sewing machine doing straight stitching.

When my grandaughter expressed an interest in sewing, she wanted to make pj's. We used t-shirt fabric as it's more forgiving for easing sleeves in, etc.

Whatever y'all end up making, make it fun. :thumbup:

If she is also showing interest in the kitchen as well, an apron would be easy and fun.

My 8 year old just learned to quilt. She sewed together large 9 inch squares into a patchwork lap quilt. It really got her used to the quarter inch seam and lining seams up together. And at the end she was super happy to have a project she could cuddle up with. I am going to take her top and add borders to square it off and quilt it for her as it didn't come out super straight.

I agree pillow case, small doll quilt with charm pack, simple small tote bag. You might want to check out clotilde
I am going to get this for my daughter so she can use it when she gets older, don't know how good it is but it says there are 8 simple projects in it. That is clotildes new site since taken over.
http://www.anniescatalog.com/detail.html?prod_id=96488
http://www.anniescatalog.com/detail.html?prod_id=96491

before she makes a pillow case give her piece of note book paper with lines on it and have her practice following the lines to get use to controling what ever she will be working on.

my grandmother started me that way, it really helped. she had a treadle machine and I had to set on her lap because I was't tall enough to reach the treadle and see what I was doing too.

I made a crayon roll up and it is a fast project, uses little fabric, is useful to her when done and is a bit forgiving. Just another idea...

When I started my DGDs, we made pillowcases. They were fairly quick, and they had a finished item to use that night. I also bought a book at my LQS that has 100 projects that use 1 yard of fabric. My 3 DGDs went through the book and picked projects that they want to make. Some are advanced, so we have projects for a long time. I also had them sew on paper to follow the line--it seems their biggest problem is staying straight and not sewing off the edge of the fabric or into the middle. Have fun. My greatest joy was teaching my DGD's to sew.
Sue

My 8-yo dgd recently made herself a pair of pajama pants. She was so proud. Her mom did help with cutting though.

Thanks ladies for all the suggestions!!! Looking so forward to teaching my lil gal!!!

You might want to check with your county Extension Agent to see what kind of beginner 4-H sewing project instruction sheets they have. They usually have some very easy patterns and instructions. I know they have one series called "Under Construction" for 8 year olds. Teaches the basics.

I taught 3 kids to sew last summer. 7th grader,5th grader and 2nd grader. I started them out with string blocks and then we made some pillowcases for QOV. At the end, they got to pick out fabric and make a pillowcase for themselves. I started them off stitching on lined notebook paper without any thread. When they could stitch on the line, I drew some curves...circles, spirals. Then off to the string blocks. They had a great time and so did I!

A potholder for mom or you and don't forget to ask her what she wants to make. If she comes up with a giant of a project suggest lttle proects that will help her build her skills each one leading her toward her big project. What about simple fleece hat and scarf that she can use or gift.
Fleece is pretty forgiving and on sale or remnamts readily available at this time of year.

Good suggestions from everyone. Last summer I started with my 8 yo GD.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...w-t195329.html

The Stars for Christmas decorations were so easy. Trace a star onto freezer paper and cut out. Pin two 6 " squares of Christmas fabric wrong sides together. Press freezer paper star to one side. Sew around the outside edge of the star. Peel off the star and trim about 1/4" away with a pinking shears. The star can be reused for another ornament. A tree, stocking or mitten can also be used. She has a bell to do, but a few too many curves. The star was ideal as is the tree.
Yesterday she was working on 4P blocks of a quilt made from her great GPa's shirts. We are working on it together to give to her Aunt for Christmas. What fun to hear her talk about GPa as she was sewing on his shirts. I had thought to MQ it, but I like the tying idea as she can participate in the finish.
Oh you are beginning a wonderful journey, and it will bring a smile to your face every time she finishes a project and her face just glows!