I am passionate about sewing (duh!) and teaching others to sew. When sewing can be combined with service I'm a happy girl.
A few weeks ago I offered my sewing/teaching services to a friend. We had decided to help the young women girls (age 12-17) in our church congregation (also known as a ward) learn how to sew. Since none of them sew at all, the challenge rested in figuring out something for them to sew that would be fun and easy without requiring much precision. Our goal was to spark some interest in sewing and the creative process.
After making slab blocks I knew that would be a great jumping off point for the girls. We could let them get behind a sewing machine without having to worry about matching points and 1/4" seems. .jpg "Pink and Orange Scrappy Improv")
.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F* "Pink and Orange Scrappy Improv")
We had decided that the girls blocks would be made into a baby quilt for one of their youth leaders who was having a girl after having 2 boys. The girls were pretty excited to turn their blocks into a special quilt for their leader.
.jpg "Texture and Quilting")
I gave them a brief lesson on the sewing and block making (things like sew right sides together and trim and press as you go) and then turned them loose! They did such a great job and dove right in to the creative process. There were only a few minor adjustments to be made to a couple blocks but other than that I didn't do anything but watch and advise.
.jpg "Scrappy Fabrics")
The girls definitely had fun digging through my scraps in search of "hidden treasures" as they designed their blocks. It was fun to see them be creative and have fun while doing something new. Limiting the color palette was key to taming the chaos.
As you can see, their quilt turned out so fantastic!!
There is plenty more to this story so you'll have to tune in next time for another installment. It's when I get a hair-brained idea and the project suddenly takes on a life of it's own.
Stay tuned...
Details:
Blocks: 12" finished, 20 blocks total.
Finished Quilt: 48" by 60"
Straight-Line Quilting By Me with a Machine Stitched Binding
Backing: From JoAnn's
5 comments:
Wonderful idea! I learned how to quilt as a Laurel at one of these activities. Still quilting :)
Super fun Emily! Did ALL of these pink scraps come from your stash :o)
I work with two other teachers at my school to lead a Handworks Club and it is so fun to see the upcoming generation learn how to sew. I'll be watching with interest to see your next installment!
I love the slab block idea for teaching new quilters! And it turned out to be a fantastic quilt too!
Awesome. I would love to do another one of these. Gotta sell my house first. Getting my scraps together for you.
What a brilliant first go they've had, it really pretty.
I am about to embark on something similar, teaching Brownies who are 5-7 years girls patchwork and also a group of us from my church will be making 8 banners to go around the church.
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