Help and ideas, please!!!
 

We are starting a new sewing circle/quilting group at my church. I went out of town and was elected "leader" while I was gone. Nice, huh? Well, we don't have many who know how to sew. I need some ideas of easy things I can suggest for them to do. We are planning a spring bazaar to raise money for air conditioner repairs for the church. I am afraid what they make will look like kids made them! Any suggestions for things to make or for ideas leading this diverse group will be greatly appreciated. I know you guys can help me!

Are the members of the group wanting to learn how to sew? I'm thinking that pocket tissue covers would be fairly easy for beginners. Kitchen towels where you attach fabric at the top to hang them from your stove would be pretty easy.

10-minute tablerunners; simple tote bags; pincushions, lap quilts. potholders; place mats. You might want to have a few meetings where you teach some basics--straight seams, binding, rotary cutting, pinning (and not sewing over pins). I'll bet you have fun.

Pillow cases are easy to start with and would probably sell well at a bazaar.

Remember...you did ask. :)

http://tipnut.com/potholder-patterns/

http://www.sewsweetness.com/2012/12/...e-carrier.html

http://www.westminsterfibers.com/pdf...setutorial.pdf

http://asouthernladysramblings.blogs...-tutorial.html

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=177482.0

http://cadouri-din-inima.blogspot.co...-tutorial.html

http://craftyady.blogspot.com/2010/0...-tutorial.html

http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransso...g_tutorial.pdf

http://twiddle-thumbs3.blogspot.com/...-tutorial.html

http://sweetcharli.blogspot.com/2010...n-one-bag.html

http://tipnut.com/beach-bags-totes/

Just some hints...If you have a Kohls near you use your 30% coupon when they have beach towels on sale. They have really large beach towels.

Also, watch Hobby Lobby, Hancock's and Joann's for their $0.99 patterns and get a stock for your sewing group (Surely everyone can pitch in a few dollars and you can use the churchs tax id number). Let the members check out the patterns like books from a library. I always stock up on the Home Decor patterns.

I hope I haven't overloaded you!

Best of Luck!!!

I would make sure to cover the basics of sewing before tackling items to sell.. Try a few items to get them started and see where addtl assistance is needed...

have them make four patches and see if they measure up to what they are suppose to be.. if not they make great wonky square potholders.....

I think its great you leading them ..

How about the potholders you make out of 6 8" squares.
......here's a youtube video on it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sipzCAflJQ8

another idea........if some don't do well on sewing, perhaps they could be the cutters or pressers......do some things in assembly line style.

Just as important as what can they make is what in the world will the congregation buy when you put these things on sale? Maybe Bible covers would be good. Almost anything for babies or toddlers, sleeping mats for kindergarten kids, children's bath robes, babies' towels, mother/daughter anything. Maybe something the church needs that people can buy when they wouldn't buy anything for themselves. I would definitely approach it from what will sell first rather than from what they can make, because no matter what they make, it is useless if it doesn't sell, considering what your purpose is.

I agree and good for beginner sewers as well (to boost their confidence!)