Teaching tools
 

I have 2 youth students. The 11 y/o is extremely creative. She's less strong at buckle down with the work. She goes from one fast/creative project to the next. Today I pulled up the internet for project ideas. Was all stuffed animals. In 6 months she's made 12+ stuffed animals. She settled on a "that's adorable" pot holder with the shape of a bunny. I think she has tremendous potential, if she can have perseverence. Also, she chooses adorable far above her skill level. Each session I try to discuss next project and what they'll need to bring. At the store she chooses "adorable" over planned project.

If she comes unprepared, what should I do? Should I let her try the project she's brought that's far beyond her skill level (such as sewing velvet of silk jersey)? When she fails she disolves into tears. I think she's very talented. Maybe that's made it too easy to perform acceptably without the work required. When we get to a time crunch, I probably do too much of the sewing for her.

I'm trying to figure out how to help her learn life skills.

What ideas do you have for 4 hour projects requiring attention concentration, commitment, perseverence and labor. They also need to be adorable. And probably can be made from my scrap bin (she's rarely prepared-we've discussed this too).

She wants to make a skirt for sister. It'll be ruffled tiers and elastic waist. With pockets. I'm dreaming how to make this easiest.

I will think a bit about projects... but as for your student, I might have a little insight.

It can be very hard for gifted children to find that not everything is easy and not everything is perfect, sometimes not the first time and sometimes not the 10th time. Learning that is a life skill in itself. I remember in 10th grade one student bursting into tears (in an honors class) because she got a B on an assignment and it was the first B she'd ever gotten. She was not prepared, there is still time for yours!

Don't know if it would fill the time slots, but maybe first making stuffed animals and then making clothing for them would be fun. Obviously it would be easiest if you chose a project designed for that sort of thing instead of having to create patterns, but making basic sack type dresses or whatever without a pattern cold work too. It would be a way to learn about sewing on fancy materials and trying out different techniques like ruffles or tucks.

One of my sayings is "fabric is treacherous", one of the reasons I like working with 100% cottons. When discussing projects and doing the clothing you need to warn about slippage and proper pinning and all sorts of things. If it was me, I'd probably do a quick couple of videos and check some of my old techniques for dealing with velvet and satin, and maybe do a few tests on your sewing machine to figure out the various foot and thread tensions and such.

PetTheFabric ... Good for you, for willingly giving your time to help these young folks learn about sewing.

Are the two students with you at the same time?
How often are they with you? Eg. weekly? or totally sporadic?
Another factor, are these family? friends' kids? neighbours?
Or how did you get partnered together?
Are you being paid? Or is there any sort of "in kind" agreement with the parents?
Does everything need to be a four hour project?
Could it be a continuing series of four hours, building towards one finish?

These are things that will need to be considered with any changes you choose to do.

Sometimes we need to let people be challenged ...
... and let them learn not necessarily from mistakes, but from the challenge in front of them.

And too, expectations vs. results ... as we have often seen here on the QB, we can get in our own way of success, by not being happy with the results. Yet, we have done a great job, in consideration of how long we have been sewing. I think of myself ... things I see stated here on the QB as "not for a beginner" ...OOPS! I broke the rules and did them when I first started quilting. I didn't know I could not, should not do it. Yet it worked and I have often been complimented. We also see different degrees of results, where one is very proud of her work, vs. another looks at it and says, I would never show that to someone!

This could be part of what is going on here ...
... consider if your student is happy with her results?
... and not worried about achieving your expectations?
Sorry ... if this is a bit of tough love,
but perhaps your student is happy with what she is achieving?
And yes, maybe she is ready to tackle that velvet project,
and will be more than thrilled with something completed
but not totally pristine in a true sewist's mind?

What's the worst thing that could happen?
(and that could be asked along with each of the earlier questions too)

Good Luck PetTheFabric ... Your frustrations show you care!
Who knows, you may have a future "name" designer in your care!

Explain to her that sewing is done for enjoyment and fun not to make something perfect. Great results will come with experience and learning.

I taught my 8 yo niece how to sew and then moved on to making a quilt. We made a pillow case first. Next was a pillow cover with a book pocket which as an avid reader she still loves years later. If she made a mistake, we talked about whether it was something she could live with and how it might affect the project. She decided if she should remove stitches or not. She did all the work. My job was direction and encouragement. Her second year of sewing, she entered items in our state fair in her age group and won several first and second awards. I think it’s okay to let them learn how to fail. And then talk about what could have been done differently.

Onebyone, I totally agree with you. I’ve explained to adults that sewing was for pleasure and not for perfection and they often don’t understand. It’s difficult for some to let perfection slip. If these children can learn that now it will make their lives so much easier.

Kudos to you for working with the children to learn valuable life’s lessons is so many different ways.

Do both of these students come at the same time? If at the same time, how do they get along?

How often do they come?

Do projects have a. "Due by" date? Do they have to be completed?

Who pays for the project materials?

what are the expectations of those involved? The students- yours- the parents/ guardians of the students?

Like all people (kids and adults), they have to learn how to take the bumps and how to avoid them. In teaching some highschoolers one of the students knew everything and she kept having to resew seams - I stopped "stopping" her when I saw a problem and just let her fun - she too was upset when it didnt' work out. That lead us to the discussion about what could have prevented it from happening. She eventually got it....then, unfortunately, told her cousins that she'd teach them how to quilt/sew!!!

If you want a site with fun small projects, check out SheCanSew.com lots of free patterns for smaller items.

We only learn if it is hard. Let her struggle and learn. Taking things apart teaches as much as putting things together. If you think you're doing too much sewing for her, you definitely ARE. Not all projects are completed in one session. Find something adorable that takes two or three sessions. I found my students really liked rag quilts and each of the steps is a lot of fun from choosing fabrics, to design, sewing and the final product. Cutting the ragged edges maybe not so much but it can teach patience and perseverance; perhaps even how to do repair work if the cuts are made too deeply. Rag quilts are great scrappy projects and of course you want to use that lovely soft flannel.