She wants to learn to sew.....
 

and I told her I would show her how. My sweet little neighbor girl/lady. She said she doesn't even know how to sew on a button. OMG, where do I begin? Open for and needing suggestions as to how to begin this. She's very excited and anxious to learn.

I am helping two new quilters........Start with the basics, don't assume they know anything.

Is she wanting to quilt or just learn to sew, or repair items, or replace buttons. Make her define her needs, then you will have a place to start: learning how to thread a needle, sew on buttons, or cut out fabric for a placemat, etc.

My two ladies had 'help' from others and never covered the basics! [how to use a rotary cutter, thread their machine, etc.]
Good for you for being a mentor!!!!!:thumbup:

She said she doesn't know how to sew on a button, so I guess that would be a jumping off point. The basics. Said she took Home Ec in school (she's in her 20's) but the teacher didn't know how to sew so that was never taught in the class. Her mother never sewed either.

She is in the same age range as my daughter and home ec was not "our" home ec. It was only a semester or maybe half a semester and it was a joke. I think they baked a cake, sewed a stocking (as in one seam, little felt thing) and that is about all I remember her doing. My daughter knew more than the teacher. I agree with Tiggersmom, start with basics. I found a website sewingsupport.com by just searching "learn to sew". There were several other sites, you might be able to get some ideas there.

First introduce her to a sewing machine, how it works and what to do with it. Sewing straight seams, sewing even seam allowances [whether straight or curved.] Learn how to pace the machine to her inner pace.

Then help her choose a projcet she wants to do. If she really wants to do it she'll finish it with pride.

You may want to even go online and search for some youtubes on intro to sewing/quilting or books on the subject.

I was a home ec teacher from the "old school." Since that time, the program has changed considerably. I think it's now called Human Resources. SEwing and food preparation is not the focus anymore. There is more of a focus on consumer education, family relationships, etc.

In a beginning sewing class, the first thing I did was find out if they knew the machine. They learned to thread the machine and basic dos and don't in operating it. Then they practiced on fabric swatches making seams (5/8", 1/2" and 1/4 "). It was a garment construction class so they learned to read and use a pattern. Then cut out the pattern pieces needed for their garment. We made very simple pajamas. If it were a quilting lesson, I assume you would use basic quilting language and then after she has learned to use her machine, and [practiced sewing 1/4" seams, then teach her to cut a simple pattern. Stitching would be next. Giving her a good basic foundation will allow her to have more success when she actually makes her first quilt.

I found that after that preliminary class of learning the basics, the students were all fired up to get started on a project.

I am helping an extremely enthusiastic beginner at quilting. Although she has sewn before it was clothes etc. looking at my nephews they very quickly learnt to thread and use a machine after watching a demo. A slow sewing speed and straight lines easy.

My home ec teacher was the best! Mrs.Mueller and she taught cooking, baking, sewing, cleaning, etc. Loved that teacher and the class. I learned alot from her. I guess I will go with the basics first as that's what she said she wanted to know. She has also mentioned crochet (I don't do) and knitting. Sounds like she is a reservoir waiting to be filled....and I'm excited to be a part of her learning process. I appreciate all the info you have supplied. Again, you guys are the best.
Guess I'll start with threading needle, sewing buttons, threading machine and seam allowance practice after that. Then maybe I'll look for an easy apron pattern or something similar. Was considering pj pants but with the elastic-would that be too much?

My mom taught me to sew by sewing on scrap, learning to control the machine, sew a straight stitch, back up etc. and then we made pillowcases. Mug rugs are easy and fun too. Lucky you, it will be so much fun.

In the summer I teach at a week long beginning sew camp (ages 8-12). We begin as GailG outlined for the first hour and then start the projects to build their confidence and skills. They all make a 9 patch pillow, placemat, drawstring tote bag. The older kids do pj pants and after a demo, the elastic is not a problem. Be sure to have her read the pattern instructions and then you can do a demo if the instructions don't make sense.