oksewglad

Oh you are off to a great start. I worked with 4-Her's for years and am now working with my 3 oldest GD who are 8, 10 and 11. This summer they sewed pajama pants from flannel or cotton fabric using a Kwik Sew pattern. They've sewn potholders, pillow cases etc before.
What if you made the coaster a pot holder size using an 8 or 9 inch square? I use old bath towels as a padding. My Grands made them for teacher gifts at Christmas time.

Yes it's so hard to keep your hands at your side! In the early stages, I stress it doesn't have to be perfect and if it's a little crooked on the inside who's going to look as long as it holds every thing together. And that the more you sew, the better stitcher you become.

This is a great pillow case tute and all finished seams

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millio...s/RollItUp.pdf

Kudos to you for sharing your skills and love to a new generation.

lynnie

the kids i taught loved making something useful the first class, gotta get them interested right out of the gate, or they shut down. Maybe a tissure holder they can use at school or in their purse. then teach them the basics. If mom is ther to help them, they can do the tissue holder or pillow case first. Then maybe the the 3rd or 4th class do the cleaning. We don't strat cleaning it b4 we sew. just my opinion
the coasters are great for gifts. so that could be a lesson to. just enlarge it and you have a potholder. lots of quick things to make. Even a 2 sq. pincushion is a good starter project. teach them to stuff really well, and when they think its stuffed enough, stuff some more. JMHO>

Nammie to 7

My grandkids start with a pillow, a pillowcase, an apron, pajama pants and a bag. They love to make things as Christmas gifts for their parents. I usually have them one-on-one which would be completely different than a class! Good luck!

Beachbound

I taught my 10 year old DGD to sew starting with the criss cross coasters. She loved it so much she made 24 of them & I didn't realize she was using the 5" charms I had saved for 18 years until it was too late. But she had fun

jitkaau

I know you will include a safety lesson as well and if you can manage varied tasks, try to have age appropriate activities forthe girls as there is a wide age range. Good luck for your efforts. I would also include the making of items to house their sewing gear or hobbies.

ckcowl

In our little sewing school we started with threading the machine and winding a bobbin...left cleaning, maintenance till after first completed project. We started with pillowcases and draw string pants. The kids had to draft, size their own pants and even the 7 year olds loved this. After those two projects the kids each chose their own next project to be given to someone as a gift... 3 of the boys made quilts and pillows for their moms, the girls made purses, totes with box corners and skirts. One ambitious young man (he was 10) made his dad a pair of pants and a Hunting / fishing vest -- lots of pockets, zippers,buttons... His dad was in tears... They even fit ! The kids really enjoyed creating things they felt were (useful) . they were not very interested in (quilting) until second/third year, exception the occasional gift quilt... New baby sister coming, mom's birthday... They wanted to make toys, clothes, fun... We had creative sewer's from 4 yrs old on up to 80...the kids classes were set up (4-11) (12-15) and then (16- up)

helenquilt

With their own machine be sure to go over the details of threading EVERY time they come and let them do a test sewing to see if anything is out of line. When they are out of your sight kids like to tinker with the knobs etc. and then you spend 30 minutes getting the machine back in order. I have taught 20 yr olds and I have this problem.
My 7yr grandson made a quilt 20"x24" in one day. Just to let him see what it was all about. Started with a 3"x6" then went around and around with 3" strips until it was as big as he wanted. It was a good way to practice stitching straight and handling the fabric. No it didn't lay down flat but made a quilt for his stuffed bear. Good luck. Kids are so much fun to work with

granny64

You could start by having them stitch following lines on sheets of paper, no thread in needle. That will help with eye-hand coordination.

miriam

4-H has a nice manual for learning to sew. You can also find free learning to sew lessons on line. I would start with that. Then I would kind of see what the girls are interested in. If you are using your machines you have already cleaned and oiled you might wait until you have something to clean and oil - if they are bringing their own machines you will need to make sure they have been cleaned and oiled before you try to sew. I start with sewing on paper.

pdcakm

after you get past the pillow case stage i would consider those simple pull on pajama pants. the girls love to wear them and they are straight line sewing.