Replies to This Post

Permalink Reply by Amethyst on April 11, 2008 at 5:32pm

One thing I can remember from Home Ec class is sewing lines on paper marked with lines. No thread, just making holes in the paper with the needle, to practice how the guide the fabric through the machine. We started out with straight lines, then corners and curves.

And there is the ubiquitous drawstring bag project.

Permalink Reply by VICKY plum on April 12, 2008 at 3:34pm

thanks amethyst..........yes, I rememeber that well!!

Permalink Reply by Linda S on April 11, 2008 at 6:10pm

kids projects here

http://www.sewing.org/html/e_kids.html

Permalink Reply by Linda S on April 11, 2008 at 6:11pm

teaching children to sew

http://sewing.about.com/library/blsumer.htm

Permalink Reply by Mary on April 14, 2008 at 1:10pm

My grandson took Home Ec. and they made stuffed animals from Carols Zoo. Only a few pattern pieces and straight sewing. He was about 12 at the time and he actually enjoyed it.

Permalink Reply by Polly on April 14, 2008 at 2:50pm

I have been teaching children beginning sewing using a little book "I'll Teach Myself- Sewing Machine Fun" by Nancy Smith and Lynda Milligan, also "The Best of Sewing Machine Fun for Kids", same authors. Published by Possibilities. Google those titles and I bet you can order them.

Permalink Reply by VICKY plum on April 15, 2008 at 3:53am

Thanks Polly!! Funnily enough I did a search on goggle and it brought that book up. I ordered it last week and can't wait for it to come. I'm so pleased that you recommend it!! Any other tips would be welcome.

Permalink Reply by Kathleen on June 26, 2009 at 1:23am

Check out the book The Best of Sewing Machine Fun for Kids!by Lynda Milligan and Nancy Smith. This is a great book for helping a child to learn to sew if you are not a teacher. It has great information about use of the machine, colorful & kid friendly pictures, practice sheets that are more than just sewing on lines with lots of fun projects with patterns included. It is well worth the $12ish from Amazon! As a teacher I purchased the first edition of this book and over the years it has just become better with more projects!

Teaching a child to sew is a gift that can never be taken from them! The delight of holding something you made, showing it off, etc. is good for any soul!

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Permalink Reply by Tanya on June 26, 2009 at 5:37pm

Hi Vicky. I actually hold summer camps for youth and the 1st thing they learn is the ins-&-outs of their machine (how to thread, needle plate etc.) but the 1st project they make is like Amethyst said...sewing on paper marked with lines, no thread etc. Then, the next "real" project is either the drawstring bag or pillowcase...no patterns required and is just straight lines...that's what I learned in Grade 8 home ec and that's what I teach to them. Depending on their progress, they then go to pj pants or skirt/shorts etc. Have Fun!!

Permalink Reply by Margaret "Marty" Cobb on July 2, 2009 at 10:15pm

I teach children at our church's daycare center to sew. They range from age 6 to 14. I take them in groups of 5 according to age for 1 hour segments once a week. I provide the sewing machine & supplies while the church provides the fabric. The children love it. There is no magical age to start sewing. If a child can operate a computer, they can operate a sewing machine with guidance. Hand sewing is just as important as machine sewing. A great book is "Let's Sew" by Nancy Zieman. It's on her website for around $10. Just have fun with it & let the children be creative.
Marty

Permalink Reply by HeyJudee on July 4, 2009 at 11:29am

Maybe you can get some ideas from this site. It was posted by a member on another site that I frequent. HTHs
http://www.simplicity.com/index.cfm?page=simplicityClassroom.html

Permalink Reply by Londa Rohlfing on August 18, 2009 at 8:11pm

You'll love those 2 books you ordered. I used them alot in my shop in my sewing camps. I liked to have the girls going into the 3rd grade for age to begin. Seemed everything could 'click' at that age. Thread the machine for them - making them watch. Get them sewing! Don't get hung up on the technical stuff - that will come. Also - don't hesitate to let them use the serger too. They love it. Just get them going and happy and excited about what they're doing, and don't be a perfectionist!
Londa