What to Teach a First Time Quilter (Child)
 

This weekend I have the privilege of teaching two young girls (11 and 9) how to make their first quilt.
The older girl as a wee bit of machine experience, the younger one has none.

We have 2 machines available to us (older ones).

We only have one afternoon, and I'll say 3 hours max for attention span. I don't know my grreat nieces very well, but the older one can really concentrate; the younger is a livewire.

What would you suggest I prepare ahead of time to take along to make it fun and enjoyable? What pattern? Any tips at all? I've taught children lots of things, but not quilting.

I won't be doing this at home, so I have to pack up everything. Organization will be key.

I think I would have some fabric cut up and ready (so they can sew right away)...then I would assist them in cutting some but not all that they need. Cuts, etc. would make me nervous...but I do really love to cut fabric so I think that would be something I would want them to experience.

One more thing... I would take along some pictures of quilts so they can see and appreciate beautiful quilts. I never really noticed quilts until I started to make them.

Kitty has good advise. I would go over the basics of the machines and tell them not to touch any knobs!!! I just taught a sewing camp at our church with these same ages and they just loved turning knobs and pushing buttons! Then we had to figure out why it didn't sew right.

I think sewing simple blocks together for the first one would be enough. Are they going to do the quilting too?

I think you might have more success making something like a pillowcase if you have girls and only three hours to do it in.

"Making a quilt in three hours" - maybe a doll quilt?

I meant to say doll quilt. I want a very easy pattern and I'll be precutting before I go.

We'll have 2 machines there, and I haven't used either. If we get to the quilting part, it will be learning to tie since I won't be teaching the quilting in the same sitting.

Well, they have an aunt in town who has taught the older girl a few sewing lessons. I want to be Aunt Zo, The Quilting Aunt:)

I start them on a piece of paper with the machine unthreaded. When they can stay on the lines , I move on to string blocks. They are not gung ho until they see the 1st block trimmed. I even taught a couple brothers one summer!

Great idea.

I was 11 when I took my 1st sewing class -- I still remember the beautiful multi-colored windsock from summer classes.
I would definitely pick a log-cabin or other similar straight line design for the doll quilts.
For the 9 year old, it might be a good idea to have some Fabric Fusion glue on hand so that she can still experience something if the sewing proves to be too much for her. Some kids really love picking colors/layout more than the actual sewing, some love machine stitching & others love a simple hand applique like a single heart in the center. If you can, maybe bring a couple cheater needles along in the event that is something that is more interesting to her.
Also, unless they really love sewing, you'll get about 20-25 minutes of attention from the 9 year old & about 35 minutes or so for the 11 year old. So one thing you might consider is whether to seam the edges (or serge them if you have a serger) versus applying binding. I've worked with 8 year olds on sewing projects & honestly some of them absolutely LOVE cutting. If you have a Klutz glove, it should be fine to let them use a Rotary cutter after a stern warning that if they are quick or careless they could end up having to get a bunch of stitches at the hospital (hey, it's happened to experienced adults!). With kids I've known really well, I've even let them do some cutting without a Klutz glove but that requires some judgement as to how exactly they can follow instructions & curl their fingers/keep them away from the blade. I always make sure to put on a new blade & get my scissors sharpened just before I have kids use them because the sharper they are, the less likely they are to slip or catch and end up off-track.

I just taught my 10 y/o grandaughter how to do a flannel rag quilt. Easy

I was thinking maybe precut some strips....maybe 2 to 5 inches wide. Then let them sew them in any order they want. Maybe the size could be a doll size or table placemat. 3 or 4 pieces would be enough. Trim them off even and add a back and backing. Let them quilt it by sewing along the middle or any way they want to. Might could be done in 3 hrs.

mug rugs would be fun for them to make, small enough to not be too daunting and something they can finish quickly
or maybe a pillow

I was 8 when I learned to sew. My best friend and I made Barbie clothes. Still have a couple - they were beautiful at the time, now they look hysterical. When we did the Girl Scouts they were 10 and we made a pillow. The co-leader and I felt they were getting too old for dolls and they all had a bed to put the pillow on. They weren't very big. The next year we made tote bags.

If they want to learn to quilt, my suggestion would be a patchwork using 5 or 6 inch squares that you have already cut out. If you know their favorite colors then that will help. Figure out how big you want it to be and then have them sew the squares together. You can iron the strips as they finish. Do you use the glue method? I have started using the glue stick to match the seams and the Clover clips to let the glue dry and I then remove the clips as I go along - that way there are no pins. Then layer the quilt to birth it instead of binding it. Will their mom be there to help?

Why not use their skills. If one likes laying out and design. And the other likes sewing. Why not make a table runner/topper for their mom for christmas. It is something that will utilize their skills to their best. It will also teach them the best part of quilting, making something for someone.

i love these ideas

I love this idea!

Everyone had good ideas. When I started my 3 DGDs (not all at the same time) I had them make pillowcases. It didn't take very long and they had a finished project to use right away. Three hours isn't a very long time to teach them how to make a quilt, I think you have to skip some of the learning for next time (threading the machine, cutting pieces, etc.) Out of 3 DGDs only one is still interested in sewing, the other 2 have moved on to sports and boys. lol
Sue

I bought my Grandniece a sewing machine for Cmas. Janome very inexpensive but just right for her. In 3 hours she learned about the machine because of the manual. She learned how to thread and set the tension. I never touched the machine, I only guided her. I had some fabric for her to make something of her choice. She used the manual to recognize each part. She is only 9. We started from the beginning. We did mark the machine for 1/4" seam allowance. I had leader ender for her to practice her stitches. Contrasting color for material so she could see her stitches. I had her thread her machine each time she did something different. It really didn't take that long. They need the manuals. By the end of the 3 hours she made a small bag with a drawstring (more like a pouch), a pillow case and a coaster. She has since made a pillow for a friend's little boy's birthday and a blanket. That has been since Christmas last year. She loves her movies and that is her time to sew. Busy little A student. Start them off with the manuals for the machines. Download them if you have to. We also took the bobbin and wound the bobbin. She has learned to use a FW that she may inherit. She loves sewing on it also. She only likes to use "old-fashioned" looking fabric on that one. And she cleans them before she uses them.

Maybe a large 9patch or rail fence

I started my GD's when they were 10 and 12 with a tote bag (no lining). I cut it out and directed their sewing of it. They were thrilled that they could take something home after our afternoon of sewing. (I have two machines which made it easy). The next project was a pillowcase and next time, a year or so later, p.j. bottoms. The younger of the two girls mentioned that she would like to make a quilt and at age 15, started a twin size log cabin quilt with my help. Before the quilt, I thought doing a pillow top for a throw pillow would get her used to the process. Before rotary cutting the pieces for the quilt, I explained how careful you have to be with the cutter and the possible dangers of it. She took to the whole process very easily. It was a while before it was finished because of school and other activities, but she is 17 and uses it on her bed everyday. The other of the two girls does not show interest in quilting, but enjoys sewing. Of course, needless to say, I am thrilled.

In our local grammar school, the third grade class make quilts each year. (or they have the option of making their quilt top into a pillow). They select their fabric and are given a supplies list. Since I now have 2 nieces that have been through this program (and nephew will be coming up in another year or so) I've had great fun and practice with this. The project takes 1 week of one class hour per day.

The class teachers have no clue as to what is involved. They give the kids a cardboard template to cut out a solid block and a patterned block. (They do a very small quilt with alternating plain/patterned fabrics). The kids don't get the cutting part. I usually end up bringing home all the fabric and cutting it all out with my rotary cutter the first night. Also mark sewing lines on their blocks. There is no machine available to any of them - all hand piecing. Some of them are pretty diligent about their sewing...others not so much. Since they only have the week to complete the project it can get a bit hectic. After they have sewn all their blocks together I usually bring the tops home and reinforce the stitching where needed. I also bring home and machine sew the backing/batting to their tops or pillows. They then hand sew the turning openings closed.

For your adventure I'd probably do all the cutting and use an alternating plain block with a 4 patch block. About 6 or 8" blocks. Little hands/fingers might have issues with small pieces. And if it's a tedious pattern they might get bored quickly. Something small like a cuddle quilt could be done in a short period of time.

Sew without thread in machine, on a thin cardboard, following simple line. The cardboard becomes a card craft. Behind the front page of card, glue some colorful tissue idea paper.. Just to get them used to machine use.. Then, color with pastel chalk.. Something they get to take home.. or send to their friend.

Safety

sandy

3 Hours is not much time to work with one person on a quilt, let alone 2. But, I'd say just sew strips together till you get to the size you want and then sew the quilt together using the birthing method. You won't have time for stitching on paper, etc. Personally, I think the key to winning your nieces over to quilting is what fabric you use. Pick something they will fall head over heels about and you'll have them hooked. Kids are visual..... and fickle. They'll either love it or hate it.

Do let us know how it goes.... we all have younger nieces, nephews, and grandkids that might someday want our help to learn how to sew.