If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you know how much I love to teach others how to quilt, especially kids. When my eldest granddaughter, Hanna was 5, she made a quilt for her dolly – and sewed every stitch herself. It took her two hours and when she was done she said “can I make another one?” I love that girl 😀 !
Her little brother wanted to try it, but I made him wait until he was 6. On a visit here from Washington, Willy made a quilt for his bear. He worked on it over the course of 2 weeks and got it done. It’s not really his thing – but he stuck with it.
My great-niece Lily stayed overnight with us when she was 7. She knew her cousins had made quilts and she wanted to try it too.
Sommer (5) is my “nearby” granddaughter, and we care for her and her brother while mommy and daddy are at work every day. Last summer I said to her “Hanna was 5 when she made her first quilt. Would you like to learn how to make a quilt”. She thought for a few seconds and then replied “no thank-you”.
Well, this past Monday she was home from school with a cold. After breakfast she informed me she was ready to make a quilt.
She chose her favorite 12 squares from my charm square box and arranged them on the floor.
I set up my featherweight on the same bench the other kids used and sat her on a stool. She learned to press the pedal with her foot and quickly caught on to the idea of keeping the fabric edges along the “pad” of painter’s tape.
She kept everything in order on the floor as she sewed.
She sewed all the rows together, picked a backing, helped me pin the layers together and sewed all the way around. After turning it right side out, I marked the quilt with a sliver of soap, and she machine quilted it with a big “X”.
I knew she was enjoying herself when she exclaimed “We’re rocking this quilt grandma!”
She wrapped it around her daddy’s old Cabbage Patch Kid and gave it a hug.
And here’s one more picture of my proud little quilter.
At this point she reminded me that she won’t be 6 until March, so she made her quilt while she was 5, just like Hanna!
And here’s the other kids and their quilts. I think I’ve got this lesson down pat 🙂 .
Before I end this week’s post, I need to add one more picture. Yesterday we had a party for Trey’s 3rd birthday. It’s a tradition in our family that I make the kid’s birthday cakes (I do prefer to make quilts – they last longer 🙂 ). So here’s our youngest with his PJ Mask cake.
I wonder when he’ll be ready to make a quilt 😛 !
Cindy says
Love that idea of having the little ones start sewing early! I’ll have to try it with my grandkids. Wasn’t sewing much when my kids were young so missed a generation!
Eileen Bastin says
Delightful!
Debbie says
How adorable Sommer is and so neat to see her and the other quilts sewn by your grandchildren and great-niece. She looks so happy at still being 5 when she made her quilt. Thanks for sharing such a delightful story. Love the PJ Mask cake!!
Rose Duchniak says
What a wonderful way to build up memories with your grandchildren. They are absolutely beautiful!
Gladys Roszkowski says
I too, have taught both my granddaughters to quilt. The oldest started at age 5 with a doll bed quilt, then at age 6 with a Christmas table runner. When the younger got interested in doing what her big sister did, she made a coaster. In the last year they have both made pillow covers for my family room. As they are 8 and 10 now, and busy with school and extra curricular activities there is less time to to bring them here for sewing projects. Starting young is a good idea!
Carol says
Sommer, you are SO right! You really rocked that Quilt! You were a Star student. ⭐️??
Your Grandma is a very fantastic teacher and longtime favorite of mine ?
Joanne says
Before I allow my grandchildren to sew on fabric, they must pass their “Driver’s Test”. I draw a few lines with broad magic marker on paper that they must “sew” without thread. The first sheet is just a few straight lines. The second is a few gentle curves. The third is broad zigzags to learn pivoting. The fourth is a “whirlpool”. The holes appear when held up to the light for accuracy. This gives them the feel for speed, shifting the paper, etc. When they finish they are presented with their Driver’s Certificate – which I have created. Then we go onto fabric. All 5 kids have done beautifully! And loved their subsequent projects.
clkquilt says
May I steal your “Driver’s Certificate” idea? It’s very clever!
" class="comment-author-link" rel="external nofollow" itemprop="url">Barb says
So nice and they all did a wonderful job. Little works of art.
Bonnie says
They are beautiful …the kids and the quilts! Glad you shared! Thanks
Margaret says
Ever think about safety glasses for kids? Broken needles have hit my glasses.
clkquilt says
Another good idea! Thanks!
Marcia Singer says
Sommer definitely “rocked” her quilt. Did you know you can get a walking foot for your feathweight?
clkquilt says
Ooh! What a good idea!
Laurie says
You are the best grandma and great-aunt. Those memories will last a lifetime and more.. I think they do better work then me.. Blessings going your way… Laurie