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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: prash
Date: 02-28-2006, 09:32 AM (1 of 15)
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A friend and I have been asked to teach a beginners sewing class for young teens. We need suggestions for projects they will like and relate to, being hip teens. They don't necessarily want to learn garment construction, but I thought embellishment might be a quick way to hook their interest. Has anyone else tackled projects of this nature? All suggestions welcomed. Two Grannies |
User: prash
Member since: 03-16-2004 Total posts: 11 
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From: MaryW
Date: 02-28-2006, 09:35 AM (2 of 15)
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How about purses, cell phone and iPod cases, shrugs, curling iron cases. Also maybe some funky pillows or pillowcases might interest them.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 02-28-2006, 10:38 AM (3 of 15)
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Have you considered asking them? Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: blessedmommyuv3
Date: 02-28-2006, 10:41 AM (4 of 15)
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I agree with Mary, I have a almost 14 yo dd, and those are all items I have sewn/she wants me to sew for her. Also maybe pajama pants and fleece scarfs/hats. You might visit www.craftster.org they have LOTS of great ideas and at least 90% of them are teenagers!!! Have fun! Jen |
User: blessedmommyuv3
Member since: 05-18-2004 Total posts: 263 
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From: AndreaSews
Date: 03-04-2006, 07:54 PM (5 of 15)
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Sew Trendy (http://www.sewtrendy.com/index.html) has some good places to start, and is targeted toward youth.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: prash
Date: 03-04-2006, 09:10 PM (6 of 15)
| Thanks to all of you for great ideas. I love the internet! |
User: prash
Member since: 03-16-2004 Total posts: 11
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From: paroper
Date: 03-05-2006, 03:07 AM (7 of 15)
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Sort through your ideas and then ask the group what they want to make first. Tell them that they have to decide on the same project. It makes teaching so much easier. Then, be sure that you take them to the store (with money) to purchase/select appropriate fabrics, patterns, notions, etc. At some point they need to experience making a garment for themselves. It is very important. Even boxer shorts are great for girls, especially this time of year. We started with a simple skirt and added a matching blouse for the second part. PJ pants are great, pillows, pillow cases that they embellish, whatever are great. Rather than having them embroider the pillow cases, have them use combined built in stitches and go arouind the edges with several. This will help teach them control. Not every woman is lucky to have access to the embroidery machines. You could also do some sort of simple patch pattern pillow and let them do machine embellishment stitches outlining each of the patches (their choices). 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: karen v
Date: 03-15-2006, 03:53 PM (8 of 15)
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Hi. There is always the ubiquitous jean skirt--I'll try to post some links to 2 sites with instructions. The thing about this project is that it is pretty quick, inexpensive, easy and THEN you get to embellish it! http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/showdigest.pl?id=309 http://www.fashion-icon.com/fall_2001/jeansplicing.html karen v all art is lies that help us see the truth
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User: karen v
Member since: 03-12-2006 Total posts: 31 |
From: Magot
Date: 03-15-2006, 03:59 PM (9 of 15)
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How about fabric pens on white cotton cushions that you then quilt - pocket type organisers to hang in their room? Craftster.org is one of my favourites! love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: sewingcybermom
Date: 03-17-2006, 11:20 PM (10 of 15)
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Hi Prash! I teach teens to sew. I've been doing it for 4 years not 9-14 year olds. My very first project is a fleece fringe scarf. simply cut three long pieces of fleece about 4" wide 50" long. Stack them up on each other, sew a close, narrow zig zag stitch all the way down the length in the middle through all thicknesses. snip both sides the entire length from the edge into the middle stitching, creating fringe. this teaches them to sew straight lines, while handling long pieces of fabric while "steering" it throught the machine.They love this fringe boa scarf!! they make them for their friends, and we've even done a school fundraiser calling them spirit scarves!! We then move onto our fleece pillow, sewn together on the OUTSIDE (no turning required) with a 3-4" border that they cut to create fringe when the pillow is stuffed and sewn shut. Super easy and they love it!! Most of our projects for our first year sewers involves "boxes". Anything made in the shape of a rectangle or square. They practice on paper first, creating the perfect box, learning how to sew straight seams, straight seam allowances, starting and removing fabric from the machine, clipping threads. When they can do these things they get their first piece of fabric for their scarves. Other projects include drawstring backpacks, cd visor pockets, locker pocket organizers, bedside pocket organizers, flannell heating pads filled with rice, hair skrunchies, pet cage blankets for animal shelters....and three of my students just finished their first pj pants! They were so happy, they made a pair for the director of the program too! Hope this helps, I was in your position a few years back. If you need any more help, e-mail me, I'll be glad to help! Dee See some of my work here:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ce%20costumes/ |
User: sewingcybermom
Member since: 01-18-2006 Total posts: 58 
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From: prash
Date: 03-21-2006, 05:34 PM (11 of 15)
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This is so fun--teaching these kids to sew! Now their moms and grandmothers want in on it. My kitchen will be overflowing! Last week they started out sewing straight lines on a piece of striped fabric by lining the foot up with a line and watching it, and not the needle. It was so funny to hear them squeal when they "hit the gas" too hard. Next, we learned how to thread the machine and fill the bobbin. Also learned the names of a few parts of the machine. Tonight we will review the names of parts plus a few more, then do a pillow as the first project. The ages range from 8 to 12. Thank you for all your suggestions and advice--I love it! Oh, I bought the books about I'll Teach Myself To Sew, by Smith and Milligan. Great stuff! Polly |
User: prash
Member since: 03-16-2004 Total posts: 11
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From: Dexter
Date: 03-21-2006, 08:50 PM (12 of 15)
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ipod cases are fun to make, but not everyone has an ipod. I suggest exploring ideas with them and making them feel comfortable with the idea of crafting/sewing. Show them the wondrous things that one is able to do when one knows how. Definitely introduce them to cosplay. Show some videos of some creative teens having a blast at those cosplay conventions. That'll be funny and help them see that it is actually quite common for teens to sew. ^_^ I wish I could take that class. I would so love to help out. |
User: Dexter
Member since: 11-05-2004 Total posts: 48 |
From: prash
Date: 03-21-2006, 11:36 PM (13 of 15)
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Dex, I had to look up cosplay to see what it meant. Quite interesting. Our second lesson was fun. I wish everyone could arrive on time, but that's the way people are. Oh well, we got ready to do the pillows and every one of these gals had brought a wild furry, fuzzy, napped fabric. I about fainted. I had a stroke of genius by placing a sheet of wax paper between the fabrics where the seams would go so the nap wouldn't goof it all up, and it worked! Oh happy day. What I learned: 1. Be VERY specific about what you tell non-sewers to bring. Pillow fabric to them was soft, fuzzy, furry, Duh. 2. Tell everyone to get their sewing machines oiled, cleaned and serviced BEFORE coming to a sewing class. Grandma's old machine left put away for years needs ATTENTION before it will sew right. I do not want to spend class time fixin' somebody's cranky machine! 3. Kids love to learn hands on. 4. Teens do not like brownies made with Splenda! |
User: prash
Member since: 03-16-2004 Total posts: 11
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From: swartzrn
Date: 03-24-2006, 11:58 AM (14 of 15)
I wish after reading all of this that my teenager (15 yrs) would want to learn to sew. Maybe one day!! 
Julie
"To see the future, look into a child's eyes." |
User: swartzrn
Member since: 02-17-2006 Total posts: 436 
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From: prash
Date: 03-24-2006, 12:20 PM (15 of 15)
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Hi Julie, I said the same thing about my daughter, but she was too busy with other interests. As soon as my granddaughters came along I made sure they saw me sewing and grabbed them when they first expressed interest. One didn't care for it and the other is getting a sewing machine for her birthday this week. One nice thing about grandmothering is that you get another chance to do some things over again, and hopefully do it better this time. My daughter still has no interest in sewing, but she is wonderful at the things she does. |
User: prash
Member since: 03-16-2004 Total posts: 11
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