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From: kkoberle
Date: 11-02-2004, 04:03 PM (1 of 10)
| My neighbor wants to teach her grandaughter to begin to sew and was asking about kits for beginners..I haven't heard of any kits out there to teach little ones...I thought I would make her a kit for a potholder by doing the stitch around the outside and flip it right side out Method. Any othere sugguestions out there. The little girl is just enthralled with sewing. |
User: kkoberle
Member since: 02-02-2000 Total posts: 218 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 11-02-2004, 09:19 PM (2 of 10)
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My grandmother taught me to sew by making Barbie doll clothes..of course this was back in '60 when they had patterns for the clothes and Barbie was just a doll...Doll clothes might be the trick though....I've never seen or heard of kit for kids either....my local shop teaches kids during the summer. (kids sewing camp)
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: paroper
Date: 11-02-2004, 10:47 PM (3 of 10)
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How about a pair of pants or shorts with an elastic waist to start out?
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: MaryW
Date: 11-03-2004, 07:40 AM (4 of 10)
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Pillowcases, shoe bags, simple christmas ornaments and maybe some simple stuffed animals. I have given this link before because there are only 2 pattern pieces for most of the patterns. www.carolszoo.com Scrunchies too. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: sewphisticate
Date: 11-03-2004, 08:30 AM (5 of 10)
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The first project I have all my beginning students complete, regardless of age, is a tote bag. Kwik Sew has a really nice one with an inside zipper that is extremely easy. My students complete their bag within the first four hours of class time. I teach two-hour classes and concentrate on pattern reading and cutting out during the first class and assembly during the second. The great thing about a bag is it is a lot of straight stitching, so they get machine time, and their finished project is something they can use immediately. Most of my students use their bags to haul all their sewing projects around from class to class. Genevieve Genevieve
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User: sewphisticate
Member since: 10-29-2004 Total posts: 20 |
From: katydid987
Date: 11-03-2004, 09:30 AM (6 of 10)
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One of the easiest things for beginners to learn to sew is a drawstring bag. That's was the project that I used to teach my boys to sew. They are perfect to use for a variety of things, but my favorite is as reusable gift wrap. We stitch them up in a variety of prints to use for birthday and holiday gift giving. They don't all have to have drawstrings, either. You can use button closures, velcro, zippers, simple flaps. Very easy to adjust to different skill levels. They can be made in many sizes, too and everyone enjoys receiving a set as a gift. Another fun project is purses. I like to use old blue jeans. It's the perfect way to recycle a pair of jeans that don't fit. You can use the pockets and any labels as part of the design for a unique look. These make terrific gifts, too. katie |
User: katydid987
Member since: 11-03-2004 Total posts: 2 |
From: smith972
Date: 11-04-2004, 08:37 AM (7 of 10)
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My 7 year old son wants to learn to sew....should i wait until he is older to teach him And my 5 year old daughtar wants to learn to sew...should i wait If i should wait what age is a good age... and should i buy them a sewing machine for thier own use (I guess i am afraid to let them use any of mine) |
User: smith972
Member since: 09-10-2004 Total posts: 241 
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From: Sherri
Date: 11-04-2004, 09:57 AM (8 of 10)
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OKay I have two suggestions http://www.sewyoungsewfun.com/homemain.html http://www.sewing.org/enthusiast/html/e_kids.html My website
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User: Sherri
Member since: 02-07-2001 Total posts: 357 |
From: paroper
Date: 11-04-2004, 10:48 AM (9 of 10)
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If you buy them a sewing machine, buy the best you can afford. Don't buy a child's machine. Why not check second hand shops and the newspaper ads. You may find a gold mine for a small amount of money. I've heard of people getting wonderful second hand machines from the thrift store for under $50. Just be selective about what you buy. If you buy a decent machine now they won't outgrow it and it shouldn't give them problems that would make them get tired of sewing. As young as they are, you don't have to rush to buy it so you can do some fun shopping and maybe you can give them one for Christmas.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Melanie T
Date: 11-04-2004, 11:10 AM (10 of 10)
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Let them sew now while they are excited! Later may be too late. My 7 year old son wants to learn to sew....should i wait until he is older to teach him And my 5 year old daughtar wants to learn to sew...should i wait If i should wait what age is a good age... and should i buy them a sewing machine for thier own use (I guess i am afraid to let them use any of mine) DON'T buy one of those toy "real" sewing machines that are everywhere. They are truely garbage - we have had several that people have given us (because I collect old machines and we fix them up to send to Eastern Europe). My boys each have a machine. One came from ebay, a 3/4 size kenmore that I paid $60 for including shipping. It is great for the kids to learn on because it goes slow and is able to chew through several layers of denim to make tote bags. The other machines that they love and fight over came from the garbage. I don't worry about them wrecking the machines and they learn a lot sewing on "their machines" while I am sewing. One is Singer 99K straight stitch machine (1959, all metal) that works just fine and we use with the 3/4 machine for actual sewing. The other is a kenmore electronic machine that I picked up off the side of the road. It sews for three seconds and stops, but all of the fancy stitches work. They don't actually sew projects on it but they have learned alot about using a machine from it (alway leave a thread tail, needle has to be up when you change the stitch pattern, etc.). They play on it for hours following the rules 1. No sewing when mommy is not with you 2. If you hear a funny noise STOP 3. No sewing if somebody else is too close They change pressure feet, thread and rethread and generally figure out how the machines work. I also do small projects with them such as pillowcases, tote bags, bean bags etc. They are almost 5 and 3 1/2 years old. They want to sew and are very mechanically inclined. The easiest way to protect my machines (I have too many) is to give them their own and to teach them how to properly use them. They don't touch mine and when and if they do they are careful and respectful. Melanie
4 little sewing machine mechanics (6, 4, 2, Born June 14) Ontario Canada |
User: Melanie T
Member since: 09-21-2004 Total posts: 155 |
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