stitching or sewing group meeting that includes both adults and children is a fun way to spend quality time with friends and kids. I have found that friendships among adults and children are formed in these groups since everyone already has a love of sewing in common. Beyond stitching, children will also have opportunities to learn and observe how to sew appropriately from the adults. They learn to respect the wisdom that adults can share, and the adults have the opportunity to bond with their kids by passing on useful and skill-building knowledge.
A group can get together on a regular basis to work on the same or different projects highlighted in a book, and then a special meeting can be organized to celebrate the finished projects. The encouragement children receive from such events will propel them further in developing the love of needle and thread.
HAVE A SEWING PARTY.
This book has easy projects (such as the monogrammed pillow ornament here and the pillowcases on here) that are easily adapted for one-time party projects. Depending on the age group, fabrics can be cut and projects partially finished ahead of time, so that the little partygoers can easily complete them in a short amount of time before they run off to play. Working on small projects in a party setting can spark interest in your child to do more stitching and sewing projects on their own.
QUILT AT CAMP.
Sewing and stitching summer camps have gained a lot momentum in recent years, and the kid-tested projects in this book are easily adaptable for camp settings. Their simplicity works really well for larger groups that will be easy for young beginners to understand.
BUILD SKILLS IN OR OUT OF THE CLASSROOM.
An adult who is teaching a child to sew can use the featured projects in this book to hone stitching and sewing skills, whether in a personal or more formal teaching setting. We will cover a variety of techniques!
Sewing activities during summer camp craft time are becoming more popular.
A sewing party is always an excellent idea!
Set aside time to schedule your sewing projects with your child.
CHAPTER 2
Gather Your Supplies
Starting a sewing hobby often means that your craft room will become filled with various sewing notions. Building a substantial collection of sewing supplies takes time, though. Here are a few of the basic things you’ll need to get started.
There are so many sewing notions available that it may seem overwhelming to the beginner. My advice is to start with the basics and remember that it takes time to build a collection.
Safety First
Here are a few of the most important things that I remind Gwen all the time:
■ Always place scissors on a hard surface like a table. Do not use them on chairs, couches, or the floor (especially a carpeted floor).
■ Always steer clear of the iron or ironing board.
■ When using the iron, do not leave the iron facing downward after use. Prop it up on its flat end to avoid burning your fabrics.
■ Sewing tools are not toys!
■ Fabric scissors are only for cutting fabrics. Once they are used on paper, they will become dull and will not cut through fabric anymore.
Sewing Tools
Always exercise care when working with sewing tools around children. Teach and emphasize safety issues when it comes to scissors, pins, needles, rotary cutters, and sewing machines. You should also supervise whenever the tools are used by children. It’s a good idea to teach kids to put back the tools once they’re done with them to minimize risk of injury (not to mention, tools will be easy to locate the next time they are needed).
Basic tools you’ll need:
■ Good lighting (not pictured)
■ Cutting mat—self-healing is preferable (not pictured)
■ Ruler (not pictured)
To-Do List
Here is a list of things to keep in mind before beginning each project you and your child work on together. Please note that, depending on age, skill, and maturity level, the child may be able to do some tasks assigned under the “Adult” column. Always keep safety issues in mind and supervise your child at all times.
| Adult | Child |
| Gather all supplies as listed (including basic sewing notions). | When sewing on a machine, be careful to gently guide the fabric with your hand, but never too close to the needle. Use a slower machine speed. |
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Exercise caution when cutting with a rotary cutter. Always alert children to its presence and remind them it’s not a toy; it’s
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