Tips for Teaching Children to Sew
I started teaching private sewing classes as soon as I got pregnant with my son. I knew then that I wouldn’t be able to keep my regular work hours at the quilt shop. I imagined myself teaching young women (18-25) how to sew cute accessories and skirts, how wonderfully fun it would be to stay in touch with this age group but it is not what happened.
Young women whether in high school or just beyond don’t have much time for learning new skills not related directly to their studies and generally not much patience either alas. Plus they most likely don’t benefit from extensive funds either.
What came my way instead were mom and daughters, children 11 years old and not much older and grown-ups with an empty nest. To my great astonishment it was perfect.
Maybe it’s because by then I had a child of my own, I really discovered that I love children and that there was nothing scary about teaching them how to sew.
If you see yourself taking an apprentice in the future, below are a few thoughts that might help you along the way.
What works for adults will most likely not work for children:
Chain piecing is effective and time saving but it will bore a child to sleep. Take a few steps at a time instead., then start over. It’s important for a child and his/her parent to see a finish product at the end of the lesson even if it is only a block or two of a all.
Know when it’s just good enough:
Don’t insist on perfection, it’s not realistic and stresses the student out. Instead try to teach the student which steps are most important and make them apply themselves with the promise that this will help later. For example cutting is hard for children but it’s the most important step if we want the pieces to fit in the end!
Sometimes unpicking is necessary, do it for them while they relax or vent their frustration out.
Don’t purchase any sub-par supplies:
When it comes to a sewing machine or notions don’t buy for a child things you wouldn’t purchase for yourself. If the machine doesn’t work well the child will get discouraged and quit. At the studio, children and adults sew on simple but sturdy BERNINA machines and I am very grateful not to have to constantly fix the machines. At home I let my students use a more professional BERNINA machine with no afterthoughts. I know the machine is strong enough to survive anything and being that it is rather nice the students are excited and treat it reverently!
Sewing can improve self-esteem:
Not all children can be star athletes, gifted musicians, or whatever else is important in their eyes. Being 11 to14 is not a picnic in the park and one of the parent of my students called me once to tell me that it was most important for her child to keep sewing with me, not to get discouraged because sewing was her special skill. Sewing was what made her cool at school, what made her special. I have never looked at my job the same way again. I strive for this result with every young girl I teach. You can make a difference beyond your classroom, into their entire education; but don’t expect them to do homework, it just won’t work!
Ed: tzfardaha asked about finger guards for children — BERNINA’s guard attached to any of the BERNINA presser feet that have an attachment screw at the back (usually used for attaching the seam/quilting guide). Here it’s shown attached to Zigzag Foot #0:
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18 comments on “Tips for Teaching Children to Sew”
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I have taught children for awhile and I find they pay more attention and do their best work when making small gifts for their friends.Girls love scrum hkes, fleece mittens, drawstring bags, etc. They take pride in gifting their creations!
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Thanks for the tips, I have been asked to teach some 4-H kid. I am not sure how I would tackle this, but the advise you gave will help.
Thanks again.
Liz
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Hi Liz — I love teaching kids and have many ideas. I’ll send you some information on planning and activities, and we can brainstorm ideas for your 4-H Club. I learned to sew in 4-H many, many yeras ago. My mother still has the yellow gingham apron I made. (The checks made it super simple to turn under even hems!) — Jo
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I have taught children for awhile and I find they pay more attention and do their best work when making small gifts for their friends.Girls love scrunchies, fleece mittens, drawstring bags, etc. They take pride in gifting their creations!
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I was very happy to see this post. I am a 4-H leader and my club’s primary projects are sewing related and cooking related. I am having the same problem with getting older kids to get involved. It’s not that they don’t want to it’s just that there are too many other things for them to do or have to do. But it is great to get them and their parents on board at an early age. I am going to challenge the parents this year to also complete a project with their kids.
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I have been doing sew camps for kids and teens for the last 15 years. I do them at the store where I work. As soon as they are posted in early May, they are full and have a waiting list. Kids want to learn and love to sew.
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I have been asked to do some sewing projects for special needs adults at the day program that my daughter attends. Any suggestions?
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I made an agreement with my young grandson. If he would stop making ‘adjustments’ to my Bernina, I would teach him to sew as soon as he became nine years old. He’s almost eleven and loves using the sewing machine. (Now, if he would just stay out of my fabric stash). He just won two Best of Show ribbons at our local fair for his quy quilt and a raw edge appliqued pillow. His interest may not last once he becomes a teenager but for now, we share some great times together.
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Way to go! Do you have photos of his award-winning quilts? We’d love to see them! Jo
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Your tips are exactly what I used when I taught my young daughter. When I told her that a neat waistband should have the bottom folded under 1/4 of an inch she asked me if she really had to and I knew my answer would make or break so I said NO. She now does some sewing during her busy life with working full time and four children 8 and younger and pregnant with her fifth.
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Does anyone know of sewing needle covers to teach children to sew safely?
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BERNINA has a great little guard that attaches to any of the BERNINA presser feet which have the little screw at the back for attaching the seam guide. It was developed for use for blind customers, but works just as well for children and other beginners. I’ll add a photo of it to the main part of this post — Jo
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Just picked up one to start my 9 year old granddaughter sewing. Interestingly, the woman who waited on me at the local Bernina shop told me that in all her years of teaching she had never had a kid sew a finger, but had had more than one adult!!! Some of her kids were as young as 6, too.
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I have been teaching a 13 year old girl to see for about 8 months now. She is now working on a quilt for her bed. I agree with they don’t like to do homework, probably no time for it. So all the sewing is done in her lessons. I would like to know how to reach out to other children and get them interested.
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I have.a kid’s sewing group in my home. The girls have been coming to me for 4 years and now the little sisters are learning to sew. They have made so many beautiful things.
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How do I start to teach my 6 yr old granddaughter to sew?
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You are absolutely right. I too teach children and adults and I have exactly the same things to say.