Hi all - I hope you can help me on this one. My granddaughter, a budding quilter, is turning 12 next week and is having a party with 8 or so friends. She wants to make something with her friends, most of whom have basic sewing knowledge from Girl Scouts, etc.

Needless to say we'd like to keep costs down and I was thinking about each of them making a tote bag - but that's so blah. I have a lot of fabric they could choose from even though a trip to a local quilt shop would be much added fun, so it's not out of the question.

Any thoughts? I wouldn't be opposed to buying maybe a yard for each girl, but what should we make? Thanks so much!

Hi, Paula. If you don't want to do a tote bag, you could do a small wall quilt for the girls' rooms or doors...or a nice pillow. If you have an embroidery machine, they could have their names on them. You could find a pattern (or make your own) for a photo album cover, then take pics of the girls making these projects to go into that photo album.

too bad the girl scout fabric is not out yet, that would have been fun to make something with that.

I think they should all make a FROG.(Forever Rely on God) here is the pattern. They are fun and quick and creative.
I use rice to stuff mine.
http://www.frogstore.com/frogbeanie.htm

Do you do applique?

Here's my idea: Take the girls to the fabric shop and have them each choose a FQ and a co-ordinating colour of embroidery floss.

Choose backing fabric from your stash.

Have the girls names, plus a few standard shapes (flowers, butterflies, etc.) printed up ahead of time so that they can easily make templates to cut out their designs from their FQ, and then use fusible web to applique their names / designs onto the backing fabric.

Teach them how to add blanket stitch or some other basic stitch around their designs with the embroidery floss, if they want to, or have them sew beads or other embellishments on with the floss.

Hem the edges and put a hanging rod at the top so they can hang their name banners.

Jan

Have you checked out Moda patterns they have some really cute stuff the girls can all make.

The ideas listed are great and I just wanted to
comment that what a thoughtful mom you are
to have "this" kind of birthday party. The girls will
go home with memories to last a lifetime even
though I recognize that this a lot of work and
organization for you!!!!!

(maybe pillowcases?)

There is a pattern out in the LQS for a small tote and it has the interfacing with the pattern traced on it(the name of it escapes me) It can be made with 2 fat quarters and the pattern is about $8.00. You can also purchase additional interfacing for it. That would really be cute. I will try to find the pattern and let you know.

Or you could use place mats and just sew up the sides and add webbing for the straps.

What a cute little pattern. To bad my little girl is 27 and we don't do sleep overs or parties with her friends.

Many good suggestions :D :D
If you decide to make totes, you could let the girls do fusible applique to decorate the fronts and backs of them. They would not necessarily have to stitch them down... You could go shopping and let them each pick out a few FQ's to use for their applique.

How about some recycling? These denim purses are really cute, I saw one just the other day with a bright liner sewn into it. They can decorate them in lots of different ways.

http://diyfashion.about.com/od/mendi...s/BootyBag.htm

How about pillowcases? Each girl can choose her own interest and they would not be hard to make or take up too much time.

Thank you for all your great suggestions! I have some ideas now to talk to my granddaughter about. You guys are brilliant!

All great ideas!! I vote for the pillow cases with the embroidered names. I did those, plus matching boxer shorts for my daughter's cheerleading squad for Christmas gifts one year. A definite hit!

When my daughter was young, I had a b'day party & had a girl figure all cut out for each girl. I than got all of my rick rack, lace, small bits of fabric and assorted other things together. Plus some elmers glue. Sat everything on the table, with small scissors, and told them that they were going to "dress" the dolls. Some of the young ladies came up with some pretty good ideas!!!!!

Now bear in mind, all of this was before copy machines. I cut each doll out & glued them all to poster board & re-cut each & every one. If I remember right, there were about 12 or 13 girls there. LOL.

That is all they did for the party, & it took them the whole time to do all of their dolls. & a great time was had by all.

If the girls will continue with sewing, a cupcake pincushion would be appropriate; not sure where I saw the pattern, but I know it's out there(the teacup idea is also cute).
The recycled denim idea is also very good. Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without, as they say.
Good luck, have fun! Hopefully they will be able to finish their projects completely, and won't be stuck with UFO's.

A lady on another forum had a cupcake baking party for her daughter and she made each of the guests a little apron that they could take home...could put names on them as well...sounded like lots of fun too.