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Moderated by Deepika
Posted on: 2/10/09 8:30 AM ET
I started sewing when I was twelve years old and in that day and time, that was normal. Most of the girls I grew up with knew how to sew. But things have changed.
I always dreamed that when I had a dd, I would teach her to sew. But alas, my dd is not interested. She is now 19 years old and still shows no interest in it. Oh well.
Anyway, a friend of mine has a 12 year old dd who is very interested in sewing and I have agreed to teach her the basics. I think I am more excited about it than she is. And just today, another friend of mine asked me to teach two of her daughters to sew.
Any thoughts on pitfalls or suggestions from those who have taught others to sew would be appreciated.
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I always dreamed that when I had a dd, I would teach her to sew. But alas, my dd is not interested. She is now 19 years old and still shows no interest in it. Oh well.
Anyway, a friend of mine has a 12 year old dd who is very interested in sewing and I have agreed to teach her the basics. I think I am more excited about it than she is. And just today, another friend of mine asked me to teach two of her daughters to sew.
Any thoughts on pitfalls or suggestions from those who have taught others to sew would be appreciated.
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I sew, therefore I am.
Posted on: 2/10/09 8:49 AM ET
In reply to jeanbluecat
I've been teaching my 11-year-old niece to sew, and I think that the most important thing is to know the kid that you are teaching.
My niece has a fairly short attention span, so things like making a pillowcase, or sewing on paper to learn how to handle the machine would not have worked for her; she would have lost interest, been bored, and the sewing lessons would have lasted exactly one day.
She needed something with "instant gratification," something that she could basically see taking shape in front of her, and that she could wear home.
So we dove right in with a shirt. I posted a blog about it if you would like to see the pattern we used and the finished product. She spent a Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning with me, and came away with a shirt and a pair of simple pants.
Since then we have also sewed a knit shirt and we are starting on a simple jacket.
Yes, I could have spent weeks teaching her about the machine and practicing on scrap, but she is learning that as we go. We have taken it apart and oiled it; she has changed the rubber ring on the bobbin winder, and changed the lightbulb. In the course of sewing the shirt she has learned the various stitches she needs, and how to handle the fabric and troubleshoot.
She is doing very well, and I think it was ok to jump right in with clothing because it is what has held her attention, and I am right there to help her with difficult parts or can reach in and correct her if she starts to make a mistake.
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My niece has a fairly short attention span, so things like making a pillowcase, or sewing on paper to learn how to handle the machine would not have worked for her; she would have lost interest, been bored, and the sewing lessons would have lasted exactly one day.
She needed something with "instant gratification," something that she could basically see taking shape in front of her, and that she could wear home.
So we dove right in with a shirt. I posted a blog about it if you would like to see the pattern we used and the finished product. She spent a Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning with me, and came away with a shirt and a pair of simple pants.
Since then we have also sewed a knit shirt and we are starting on a simple jacket.
Yes, I could have spent weeks teaching her about the machine and practicing on scrap, but she is learning that as we go. We have taken it apart and oiled it; she has changed the rubber ring on the bobbin winder, and changed the lightbulb. In the course of sewing the shirt she has learned the various stitches she needs, and how to handle the fabric and troubleshoot.
She is doing very well, and I think it was ok to jump right in with clothing because it is what has held her attention, and I am right there to help her with difficult parts or can reach in and correct her if she starts to make a mistake.
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Michelle
http://cheapandpicky.blogspot.com/
http://cheapandpicky.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 2/10/09 9:06 AM ET
In reply to Michelle L
I second the 'dive right in' approach. I totally appreciate the learning-by-numbers method of teaching, but feel it's important to understand that kids today are of a different geschtalt (sp?) than I was... it's the MTV generation, the time of Instant Gratification. Getting something for one's efforts is a huge motivator for kids. Seeing 'the point' of one's activities helps kids grasp why an activity is worth doing in the first place.
Jean, I sent you a PM--
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Jean, I sent you a PM--

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Cindy Lou, no more than 2
"Sew, Esmerelda! Sew like the Wind!" -Martin Short, The Three Amigos
"When inspiration calls, you don't send it to voicemail." --Will I Am.
"Sew, Esmerelda! Sew like the Wind!" -Martin Short, The Three Amigos
"When inspiration calls, you don't send it to voicemail." --Will I Am.
Posted on: 2/10/09 9:19 AM ET
In reply to jeanbluecat
Don't give up on your daughter sewing. One of my daughters asked me to teach her this past year. She's 31. She wanted to make decor pillows for her living room with piping. We did that then on this past visit , she lives in MS. she made some cute place-mats. At any rate, I am so glad you will be passing on your skills. What is the 12 year old interested in making? You can find a easy version usually of just about anything. I did have my daughter sew dots in a row on plain paper then practice on a scrap of fabric. The whole thing took 15 minutes then we off and running to the real project. Since we were doing home decor stuff, we used the 1/4" foot which she found really helpful for straight seams. She finished her seams with the serger stitch on the sewing machine. I also had sent her the "Singer Simple Sewing Guide" for reference. It is very basic, it reminded me of the handouts I received in Home Ec class.
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"Keep Shining"
bluefly
bluefly
Posted on: 2/10/09 10:41 AM ET
In reply to jeanbluecat
I have been teaching a 12 yerar old to sew. I am teaching her to make garments in the pattern free methods that I use.
Having my student suggest what she wants to make and then figuring out ways for her to proceed has been really sucessful her skills improve each week.
Lots of kids watch project runway..so seeing sewing as a process is something they are familiar with.
My student has been really excited to see something go form a sketch or an idea to a completed garment.
My student wears knits exclusivekly so we are not doing zippers..
My student's skills keep improving and she has suggested re doing parts of earlier garments as she improved.
as we start the next step of each project I will suggest a couple of ways to proceed and she will choose the way that works best for her.
Some of my student's ideas have been really difficult to produce...We are currently working on a dress with a woven bodice..not something that any sane person would suggest as a project for a beginner.But we are doing it.
As she was working she would comment/complain that it was hard..and I kept telling her " hey...we didn't have to do it..." She will then reply to me" I know it's hard, but it will look so cool in the end."
It has been a blast. I write about it on my blog. My head was hurting from ther mental effort of getting it all figured out...
This has been a terrific excercise in problem solving.
My teaching model is an ESL teacher who got adult women who couold barely read reading by giving them romance novels...within weeks they were reading bodice ripper novels.
Do i step and and do the truly pesky work..yes. I gauge my student's energy..and if getting her over a tricky bit wil keep her excited..then i do it.When it is time to rip seams.. I will start on one end and she will start on the other..why torment her at this point. sewing isn't doing penance.
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Having my student suggest what she wants to make and then figuring out ways for her to proceed has been really sucessful her skills improve each week.
Lots of kids watch project runway..so seeing sewing as a process is something they are familiar with.
My student has been really excited to see something go form a sketch or an idea to a completed garment.
My student wears knits exclusivekly so we are not doing zippers..
My student's skills keep improving and she has suggested re doing parts of earlier garments as she improved.
as we start the next step of each project I will suggest a couple of ways to proceed and she will choose the way that works best for her.
Some of my student's ideas have been really difficult to produce...We are currently working on a dress with a woven bodice..not something that any sane person would suggest as a project for a beginner.But we are doing it.
As she was working she would comment/complain that it was hard..and I kept telling her " hey...we didn't have to do it..." She will then reply to me" I know it's hard, but it will look so cool in the end."
It has been a blast. I write about it on my blog. My head was hurting from ther mental effort of getting it all figured out...
This has been a terrific excercise in problem solving.
My teaching model is an ESL teacher who got adult women who couold barely read reading by giving them romance novels...within weeks they were reading bodice ripper novels.
Do i step and and do the truly pesky work..yes. I gauge my student's energy..and if getting her over a tricky bit wil keep her excited..then i do it.When it is time to rip seams.. I will start on one end and she will start on the other..why torment her at this point. sewing isn't doing penance.
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sarah in nyc
https://sewnewyork.blogspot.com/
https://sewnewyork.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 2/10/09 11:51 AM ET
In reply to sarah in nyc
This reminds me of my student. Although she's fifty something. We were drafting a pattern for what she wanted and ran into a trouble area. I asked her what she thought she should do. Then I made my recommendation. However, I said, "Let's do it your way..." Well, we did. And it was a lot harder but the job got done. The point being, stick with it. This is what we learn from and it's rare we make the same mistake twice. (Well, I'm talking big mistakes
.)
Everything for her was easy going up to that point and it's not always this way. I used that as a lesson to continue, don't give up. Sometimes we have very good, sound ideas, sometimes they're crazy ones. However, we learn from every single one of them.
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.) Everything for her was easy going up to that point and it's not always this way. I used that as a lesson to continue, don't give up. Sometimes we have very good, sound ideas, sometimes they're crazy ones. However, we learn from every single one of them.
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Big 4 Pattern size 12, RTW bottom: 6, RTW jacket 8, RTW top (no size fits me well!)
Measurements: 34 HB/36 FB (34C bra)/27.5/36 (and working hard to keep it that way.)
Machines: Sewing: Elna 760, vintage Kenmore Model 33 (1967), Janome Gem Gold 3, Singer Model 99, Singer 221/Featherweight, Bernina 1630. Sergers: Babylock Enlighten and Babylock Ovation. Embroidery Only: Janome 300E. Embroidery/Sewing Combo: Brother Dream machine. Straight Stitch: Janome 1600P.
Certified Palmer/Pletsch Pants Fitting Instructor
Blog: 21stcenturydiy.blogspot.com
Measurements: 34 HB/36 FB (34C bra)/27.5/36 (and working hard to keep it that way.)
Machines: Sewing: Elna 760, vintage Kenmore Model 33 (1967), Janome Gem Gold 3, Singer Model 99, Singer 221/Featherweight, Bernina 1630. Sergers: Babylock Enlighten and Babylock Ovation. Embroidery Only: Janome 300E. Embroidery/Sewing Combo: Brother Dream machine. Straight Stitch: Janome 1600P.
Certified Palmer/Pletsch Pants Fitting Instructor
Blog: 21stcenturydiy.blogspot.com
Posted on: 2/10/09 12:07 PM ET
My 11 yr old dd has been sewing for a while. She is somewhat naturally gifted at it (speaking as someone who has taught others to sew too) so it is easy to teach her. We've been working on learning how to sew from a pattern now. She already learned some of making simple Build a Bear garments by draping them herself. I teach her to pre-read the pattern to troubleshoot all steps first. Gather her materials and practice on scraps. I do help her with the laying out and cutting some - having her do it first and then checking and correcting anything necessary. She is doing well with it and making 18" doll clothes. She made a swimsuit and is now working on knit shirts and jumpers.
Anyhow, she just read a summer class description of a Project Runway type class reconstructing clothing. She really wants to take it but it is spendy. Any tips from anyone on how I could teach her this myself? I've been looking at the contest for ideas but I specifically need ideas that would be trendy for a 6th grader who wants to look in style at school. I've never done a reconstruction project before and haven't been following the trend closely. She is creative so I just need something to explain to her how it is done and she would run with it.
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Anyhow, she just read a summer class description of a Project Runway type class reconstructing clothing. She really wants to take it but it is spendy. Any tips from anyone on how I could teach her this myself? I've been looking at the contest for ideas but I specifically need ideas that would be trendy for a 6th grader who wants to look in style at school. I've never done a reconstruction project before and haven't been following the trend closely. She is creative so I just need something to explain to her how it is done and she would run with it.
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Stefanie
Posted on: 2/10/09 1:10 PM ET
In reply to Elemenopeo
A while ago I read this book called Sew Subversive--it was all about reconstruction and it was written by a bunch of young women, with cool pictures and easy how-to's. Another good, simple one for beginning reconstruction is Generation T. It's over 100 ways to alter a Tshirt. Some don't even use sewing, but many of them do. All of them are very easy. That might be a fun way to get her started on the reconstruction! I found both of these books at my local library. Hope that helps.
Posted on: 2/10/09 1:13 PM ET
PS--Here is the amazon link. The Generation T is also listed on the similar items list.
http://www.amazon.com/Sew-Subversive-Dirty-Fabulous-Fashionista/dp/1561588091
http://www.amazon.com/Sew-Subversive-Dirty-Fabulous-Fashionista/dp/1561588091
Posted on: 2/10/09 2:22 PM ET
I taught sewing (like, actually in a school, the year before they cancelled the program) to 8th graders and it was a blast. We made either aprons or pillow cases (they didn't have the class for long and there were things other than sewing I had to cover). I totally agree with jumping right in; at that age they're ready for it. Also, give the student as many choices as possible; pattern, fabric, thread color, etc, everything you can. The kids were so much more interested in shopping for the components for their projects (vs. using pre-made kits that came with few choices--they hated that!)
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