Help with teaching child to sew/quilt

My guild was asked to teach a 2 hour class to 10/12 year olds at a day camp.

Lessons that we learned:

Have the patches pre-cut and sewing lines pre-marked, we were doing a

4-patch.

Use double thread and have it knotted on pre-threaded needles.

We spent a lot of time, rethreading needles, tring to get them to sew

1/4th inch from the edge. Next time we will also use 1/2 inch seams.

We made up individual sewing kits with a "pattern" and a very short history of our objective.

Everything was in a zip lock bag.

Trying to teach 20 kids is very interesting, especially when most aren't really interested and half of them are boys.

Bonnie, in Middletown, VA

I received an email from my former DIL that she is having my DGD cut her quilt blocks so that when she visits this summer I can teach her how to quilt. My DGD is 12 and not to keen on accuracy. ( I wish I would have been allowed to do the cutting.) Any hints on how I can repair any mistakes? I plan on marking the sewing lines and plan on have her chain stitch the squares and then even them up when pressing the seams. Do you think this will work? I don't want to dampen her spirits.

I really think you should get the squares right before sewing them - she might well get discouraged if they are all over the place. How about making a game: see how many of the fabric squares are just the size of this cardboard one (you) already cut out. She might surprise you! She is 12, so can't be 'fooled'/cajoled as easily as a 5/6 year-old (no weapons thrown please - I do know they are just as smart!!). . In message , Bonnie NJ writes

It will be fun. She wants to use the design wall and also my new sewing machine. I'm glad it has a speed control for her lead foot! I'll be sitting opposite her sewing on the old machine, which has no speed control. I think I'll hide the rotary cutters.

I just don't want her to think I'm taking over her quilt. Making a game of checking it with a "template", sounds good to me.

Yep, that will do. I use light weight non-iron-on interfacing that handles like paper - the sort that gets sewn into clothing. The foundation stays in the block, the backing is tied onto the joined blocks, and there is usually no need for batting (although you can use it if you want).

If you want batting I found it easier to start youngsters off using fleecy knit fabric, although modern battings are more able to withstand "handling" by kids than the stuff we had back then lol.

Manx quilting is very old - the origins of log cabin. There are instructions here -

- but do not try to learn this method together lol. Make sure you are familiar with it before teaching him. It's easy once you make the first block. And while the traditional method calls for strips to be torn, you could pre-cut the strips for him. The big advantage of Manx quilting is that the pieces are "designed" to fit in small hands. Making these quilts was the job of the children of the household. It was how the young (mostly) girls learned to sew.

WARNING - the first block will be SLOW, but it gets quicker after that. If patience (or lack thereof) is a factor, draw foundations with only three rounds instead of four, and make the logs bigger = quicker results.

It he sticks it out for six blocks you can make a table/place mat like a mini-quilt. All the construction techniques with only a few blocks. BTW, traditionally Manx quilts had turned edges (backing wrapped/folded over to the front and stitched down) but there is no reason you couldn't use other binding methods if preferred.

Good luck. I used to teach cubs (juniour Scouts?) to sew and I loved it. Probably a third of them went on with their lessons and made simple items at home back then. They seemed more likely to finish if the item was destined for a specific use or a gift for someone. The others lost interest after the first block or two - the lure of fishing and football rofl!

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M-o-u-s-e

Butterfly (Please, ya gonna sing, SING all the words, so ALL of us will have it stuck in our heads for the rest of the day and the next and the next )

LOL. Polly, Come along and sing this song that's made for you and me . . . "Butterflywings" M-o-u-s-e

Thank you : )

Butterfly (I'm picking and he's grinning---Buck Owens Roy Clark Hee Haw)

Thanks for the info on Manx quilting. I'll have to read it over and do a few blocks myself first. I appreciate all the tips and advise Cheryl!!!