Lori S

When my Mom taught all of us to sew ..we started out on regular machines... but sewed on paper (no thread) with lines and curves till we got control and coordination with speed control and acuaracy. We had to learn to stop at intersections lift the pressure foot and pivot all get comfortable with the basics of the machine. We all started in about the third grade.
I loved learning that way .. and moved on to taking pages of my coloring books , "sewing them" , making them all perforated on the lines , then punching out the pieces and glueing them onto another sheet of paper... Guess my mom knew how to keep us busy and teach us something at the same time.

ckcowl

my youngest granddaughter was 4 when she made a very special quilt for her daddy (who was deployed & missed terribly!) she used my *walmart special* brother machine-that had speed control- I have found that the kids do great as long as you can slow the speed down on what ever machine they are going to use- also set it up on a table that is *THEIR SIZE* we used her little care bear table & chairs- she did all of her own sewing- we even turned a dresser on it's side for her to stand on so she could quilt it herself with the long arm. every year the pre-school kids make a quilt too---they also use that good ole $89 brother- the speed control is the key.

bakermom

That's how i learned, too. Must have been 8 or 9. No real sewing till i could show i could follow the lines

Sierra

My youngest student has been 7 or 8 (she wanted to make her grandmother a lap quilt for her 90th birthday). I've had 3 children start at that age. I dig out scraps with straight lines and have them practice on my featherweight until they can keep their sewing where it belongs. I have had some start and stop cold with a quilt half done. Wish the mamas would encourage them to continue. But one grandson came back from a year abroad (he was now 15) and came up to where we live to "get in touch with his artistic side again". He made a wonderful quilt for his grandfather on the other side who had had a stroke. It turned out beautiful! Much brighter than I would have done, but when it was done it was really a winner. The family near the grandfather said he hugged it and cried. He lives across the world from us.

By the way. One way to help a child understand the flexibility and feel of fabric is to give them your smaller scraps for making posters. We had several G-kids with us for several weeks recently and they made a (1) fathers day banner for their grandfather, (2) a "Welcome Daddy" banner for their dad who was coming from Alaska to take them home, and (3) a "Happy 12th Birthday" banner for a cousin who couldn't be here for the 4 weeks but wanted to share her birthday with them (a 3 hour trip each way!). The banners were outstanding! I have a whole lot of 2" squares from water color quilts I did some years ago and they glued those around the edges. Something of which we all were proud!

yel

i learned with a heavy piece of foam in the foot pedal so it wouldn't go screaming fast

novicequiltergrandma

Thanks for all your input. I have a machine with speed control that can go REALLY slow. My grandson is 4 and mature, but not so great at following directions. I like the idea of giving him scraps to glue on paper. Maybe I'll start him there and then let him sew on paper. THANKS

Ps 150

I have a daughter turning 9 this month and one turning 11 next month. Both of them have been sewing on their own Janomes since they were 5. The machines have a button that regulates speed and at the slowest speed, it goes 1 stitch per second. I set their machines next to mine and then we started work on the same project so they could see and do as I did. Before they were 5 I gave them hand sewing projects. I still give them hand sewing projects alongside their machine sewing projects and they have fun. I think it's important to hone a hand sewing skill so they always have that into adulthood. Because we homeschool, I give them sewing lessons throughout the summer as part of their home economics class.

dellareya

I have 2 grandsons that are always interested in watching me use the sewing machine. They would stand right next to me and watch every move I made. Finally one day I let the 7 year old give it a try. I changed the needle to a very old needle and took out the thread and bobbin. I put it on slow speed and gave him a piece of lined binder paper. His job was to sew on the lines. He went back and forth. I watched him the whole time. He finally mastered the art of staying on the line. Now when I have nice straight sewing to do, I let him do it. He loves it. Now the 4 year grandson wants his chance. I started him on my feather weight following lines. Both boys are very patient and follow my directions carefully. The really enjoy the chance to sew with Nana.

Nammie to 7

My grands start by playing with the thread, then embellish tea towels - they pick a fun stitch, thread the machine and sew a line, then do it again. They all get to their own pillow cases at age 7, and at age 9 they get to go to sewing camp for a week. Any time they come up they get to sew if they want to. One granddaughter made a quilt when she was 7. I have an 11 year old that made pajama pants, an apron, and a cool bag to take to school this year. Last year she made aprons for others for Christmas. I always have projects cut out and ready for them to sew on. They all love to sew, even the boys.

Daylesewblessed

As far as hand sewing goes, I have found that doing plastic canvas is a good way to start. The needle is big and not sharp. The stiffness of the canvas helps with control.