Subject: Please help my daughter Date: 11/19/09 10:58 AM

Santa is giving my 8 year old daughter a sewing machine (that Mrs. Claus bought 10 years ago but has never used). She is a crafty little thing, but I have no idea how to help her. What is the best way for her to start? What does she need in a little kit to go along with the machine so she can get busy Christmas day? Any good books? What kind of threads/ bobbins (the one on the machine looks skinny- are they all like that?) Someone please take pitty on me! Thanks.
-- Edited on 11/19/09 11:00 AM --

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Reply to liz02
Date: 11/19/09 11:08 AM

liz, lucky girl My 7 year old has just started on an old Janome mechanical and I think her biggest joy came from making simple things for her dolls (little pillowcases etc). I gave her a bundle of lovely coloured embroidery thread that works well in her sewing machine and shows up very nicely on fabric. I also gave her lots of bobbins.

I am not sure about the books but I do know in our library there are titles that are specifically about basic sewing projects for young people.

Happy sewing for you and your daughter

ETA: what looks skinny - the bobbin or the thread?
-- Edited on 11/19/09 11:10 AM --

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Reply to liz02
Date: 11/19/09 11:18 AM

Since the machine has been sitting for 10 years I suggest you take it in for servicing. A sewing machine is meant to be used regularly to ensure proper lubrication. A machine that has been sitting can seize up.

Basic supplies will include:
bobbins
thread
scissors
tape measure
hand needles
thread snips
pin cushion
pins (long may be easier for her to manage, like flower head)
seam ripper
some nice cotton fabric to make a first project like a pillow case.
A basic sewing book, the Singer ones are great.

Kwiksew Kwik Start patterns are great for new sewers.

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Proud parent of a Dwight International School Honour Roll Student

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Date: 11/19/09 12:22 PM

How about signing her up for a few lessons? She can learn he basics, and the supplies will come as she has a need for tham. That way you won't have stuff she'll never use.

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Fabric bought in 2009: 30 yds
Fabrc sewn in 2009: 19 yds
Fabric stash: 145 yds

3 Garments IN and 6 Garments OUT

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Date: 11/19/09 12:40 PM

She will definitely want to sew right away. Pillowcases are fast and easy. You could make pillowcase kits with some cute fabrics, cut to shape with the necessary thread, tools, etc

ETA: I agree with others who suggest you make sure the machine is in good working order
-- Edited on 11/19/09 12:41 PM --

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Date: 11/19/09 3:12 PM

Draw some lines on paper and with the machine unthreaded, have her practice lowering the presser foot, "sewing" the lines (the perforations will show how she's doing), and getting a feel for how fast the machine goes - all without wasting any fabric.

I got my first little machine and a pink plastic toolbox for Xmas when I was 8. It's a cherished memory. My mom was a home-ec teacher, however, so I was rather lucky in that.

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Date: 11/19/09 6:51 PM

I see that you are in Illinois. If you are near Chicago, Vogue Fabrics has some beginner classes or your local machine dealier may offer classes. If you are anywhere near Peoria I can offer to teach her. You might also check the American Sewing Guild website to contact your local chapter. Members are always very willing to share with new sewers.
-Michelle

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Reply to liz02
Date: 11/19/09 7:09 PM

I agree with servicing or at least make sure you can successfully operate the machine before christmas day...nothing like a child's present that won't work.

You know your child....what colors or things she might want to make.....mine would have been - and stiill is - anything purple and anything with a horse....

Pillowcases, doll (or play horse) blankets, notecards that you can sew scraps of fabric on, an easy bag project that she can make for her friends...have fun, but have it ready to go so she can get right to it

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Date: 11/19/09 8:41 PM

My 6 year old loves making purses for herself and for her stuffed animals, and pillows. She has not been interested in patterns or anything that takes a lot of planning or time, but she has learned how to put on piping and buttons because that is what she wants on her purses and pillows. Making a couple rectangles into something usable and all her own is very satisfying.

I would recommend a good, but not too expensive, pair of shears *for cloth only* (so she doesn't ruin them with cutting paper and tape), a smaller pair of scissors for cutting threads, some sharp pins, a package of machine needles with a couple sizes included, some hand sewing needles, a tape measure (in a pretty color if you can find it), and a pin cushion. DD got really excited when I gave her a real sewing box to hold all her stuff, but the toolbox I found at Walmart last week is a lot less money, comes in nice colors, and holds a lot more.

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Fictionfan

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Date: 11/19/09 8:50 PM

I can remember being pretty excited as a kid about having my own sewing box and supplies. Like Fictionfan says toollboxes usually make much better sewing boxes than the purposely made ones. If you can find one in a pretty colour you could maybe put some stickers or something on it to jazz it up a bit then fill it with the basic supplies already suggested.

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Julie
Ingham, Queensland

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