My 8 year old grandaughter wanted to try my embrodery machine so this is her first project. Also first time using sewing machine. I taped a thick piece of cardboard in place to help keep her sewing straight.

She did a lovely job!!! Another future quilter in the works!!

She did a great job! It always does my heart good to see a young sewing being born. We seem to have skipped a generation, so it is up to us to teach our grands. Most of these kids are so willing to learn. It is exciting seeing what project they chose and their love of fabric. We have a scrap basket at the shop that the real young ones love to find treasures for their stash. If they are old enough, not to run and have me chase them, I take them on a tour and talk about their fabric choices. The two year olds just want to play hide and Boo catch em and tickle. :lol:

She love the emb machine because all she had to do was change the thread and push a button. We'll work on her sewing but the cardboard realy helped. Next time shes here were going to try cutting some blocks.
Any suggestions on a cute easy pattern for her?

The pushing of the button and seeing the work she chose to try must have been a thrill for her. My grands always are tickled when Mimi sets up the machine and lets them push the pedal. I try to teach them a little hand sewing first. I've had my garden hats decorated by different patches from old scraps, I've had pillows made of my scraps. They get bit by the bug when being allowed to touch and learn. You've begun a great thing for her. Give her a big hug from a Mimi in NC.

You know, I'd give her the scrap bin, a lap size piece of backing and let her make her own design. Don't make her learn to many rules at once or she may decide it's all to much like school. Just give her the thoughts of 1/4 inch (she's likely not learned fractions yet, the END of 2nd and 3rd grades are the fraction learning) with painters tape on the machine to meet it and let her use all size blocks. See what her color sense may become.

You are so fortunate to be able to teach her. Mine will be grown before they come back from Alaska, but the two still at home have promised to learn to sew with me. I reminded them I don't forget their promises. lol lol

Sharon

We are trying to find things to challenge her she in 3rd grade doing 4th and 5th grade work. She gets bored easily without a challenge wonder who she takes after lol never went with the easy things either. always jumped in with both feet.

she wants to use purple blue and pink her favorite colors just trying to find a pattern thats easy with a hint of a challenge to it
any suggestion are greatly appericated
connie

Connie, I'm glad you have that time together, when I see mine it's all five at one time so we can't get into anything like that. Micalena sounds above average, maybe she would be interested in doing a card trick block, it's not hard and really cool looking, I found it on quilters cache, I did my SIL one and it was a lot of fun. If she still plays with dolls she could do one for them. Have fun making memories.

Thanks for the idea Kathy I will check that out. Mici is my daughters 3rd child of 6. I'm lucky that they live close by so I can spend time with them. I try to take each on of the grandkids for a weekend by themselves for one on one time. I get the 5yr old the weekend after Easter. The ones that are not in school yet I take just for a day durring the week to give my Daughter a break.

She not only is a mother of 6 but also has gone back to college and is maintaing a 3.7GPA. She coaches youth cheerleading and is on the board of directors for the youth football.

whew! She's one busy woman!

A nine patch would be a cute scrappy quilt if you don't think she'd be bored with it. But she'd learn the basic, like the 1/4/" seam and matching up the blocks to assemble.

Sounds like you should let her sit at a book or at a computer and find a design that she might like to try. You can find some in McCalls that are very favorable to beginners. How about some applique? It's not easy easy but it's challenging enough to be a real pleasure for her.


Good luck! This little girl is going to have the best future of the world to have someone like you to help guide her!
Sharon

hip hip hooray for applique :!: :!: :!:

I think I want her sewing a lilltle while before she tries applique. I want to challenge her but also want to take it slow enouh that she won't get fustrated trying to do something. I like the idea of a book or looking at McCalls for her to pick her own block. Thanks for the suggestion

Maybe you could let her use your scraps in a string quilt and let her sew them together and then cut them to size. That way she can learn color sense and use of the sewing machine, and rotary cutter if you think she can handle it.

Go to a stained glass site and let her pick a pattern. They are very lovely and large enough for her to manage. Remember, her little fingers aren't as agile as an adults. Also, her mind can't assemiliate at our level. Let her go and see what She likes. Often times, MiMi's try to push what We like on the little ones. Remember, God made each of us different. That is why we get along! She will do well. :!:

keep up the good work ceannastahr

Sting quilt or a flip and stitch...sound like easy yet providing a creative edge as well...have her look through some magazines or books and see what catches her eye... pick a couple and start with the easiest...She may know more about what will challenge her and you can ease the process by determining which is best to start with. Great job! Must run in the family! :D

Micalena did a beautiful job!