One of my granddaughters is particularly keen to learn to sew, she’s only nine but is very enthused by the clothes I make for her. Of course I was delighted to be able to teach her. I suggested we started with a simple elasticated skirt. I found some very pretty cotton in B&M fabrics and also added a couple of lengths from my stash. We had planned that over the summer I would go over with my spare sewing machine and spend a day or a few hours sewing with her.
At short notice, we decided Sunday would be good, so I packed everything I could think of into my sewing machine trolley and trundled off to their house.
Harriet had never used a sewing machine before, so we did the safety bit first…I didn’t want mum to have a visit to A&E with a needle through a finger! I put some washi tape on the footplate to make the 1,5cm line clearer, I taught her how to thread the machine and let her practise on a spare piece of fabric, trying to get a fairly straight seam.
We soon progress onto the actual fabric. We made them from a width of fabric, so there was just one side seam, then a turn over on the top for the elastic casing. She learnt how to pull elastic through a casing with safety pins, not as easy to teach as it looks! She then just had to stitch the hem and it was finished!
It took her a little while to get used to the fact that you only have to guide the fabric through, not push or pull it, I helped her guide the seams for some of it but she gradually got the hang of it. She was a dab hand at threading the machine by the end as the machine decided to be a bit of a twat and kept breaking threads. Little fingers and young eyes are definitely an advantage at threading machine needles! Here she is on the practise strips…
After making her skirt we still had plenty of time so she made a second one! Here she is with her two skirts, looking rightly pleased with herself! She tried them om over her trousers but I’m sure you get the idea.
She wants to make a top now, so I’m thinking of an elasticated top with shoulder straps, basically like the skirt but with straps on. I think I need to start looking for simple patterns next…she wants her own sewing machine already! I’ve already primed her mum not to get a children’s sewing machine, just go to a sewing machine stop and choose a simple one. If anyone has any suggestions of simple sewing projects please share!
thecraftycreek 
How I wish my granddaughter were interested in sewing! You taught her the very best way, too – she not only learned the safety part, but the basics, enjoying threading the needle (what I dread as my eyes make it harder every day), and culminating in making those 2 skirts herself. She did a wonderful job and when she wears the skirts her friends will be green with envy! She’s also a very pretty girl! Congratulations! Deb E / CA
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absolutely wonderful
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Well done to both pupil and teacher! I did some sewing with the girls who live opposite. We made fabric coasters, a quilted pencil case (I did the zip), a tote bag, lavender bags, a skirt like the ones you made, and even some patchwork with 2.5″ squares to make a baby toy. I reckon you could even try a simple pair of shorts, learning to sew a curve, and explain all about how to cut on the grain. I agree that a toy machine is a definite no. They’re so frustrating to work with and a basic “adult” machine probably costs less in the long run.
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Super precious, Margaret! Nothing better than Grandma and Granddaughter time! She is beautiful! 🙂
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Brilliant, she looks so proud of her excellent achievement. Well done.
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A tote bag as someone already suggested and maybe a quilted cusion, with a fourpatch pattern?
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She is absolutely adorable and I can see her sewing up a storm once she gets her own sewing machine. I wish I would have taken to sewing when I was younger. Maybe I should make that a goal for next year?
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She is adorable, and her skirts are so cute! Pajama pants or shorts are simple like a skirt, and could be matched with a t-shirt she could appliqué with a simple design using scraps from the pants or shorts.
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A heartwarming story. Well done to both of you
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My dil said my granddaughter wanted to learn to sew, but when I talked to her, she didn’t really want to learn at all! I think you have both done brilliantly. She’ll be on the sewing bee before you know.
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How wonderful – she will have a lifelong hobby that she learned from here grandmother! Memories she will never forgot 🙂
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