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Lorri
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| Posted: Jan 17 2007 at 4:07pm | IP Logged
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I'm anxious, maybe overanxious, to start teaching my dd how to embroider, sew and quilt. She just turned 6. I remember that in "Little House in the Big Woods", Mary was piecing a nine-patch quilt, and of course, you see all these embroidered samplers made by little girls. I am jumping the gun a bit? I'm trying to teach her to knit, too, but we're not consistent with our lessons and she doesn't seem to be catching on. Would embroidery be easier? Should I just chill out for a couple of years? 
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Lorri
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The Mac and Cheese Chronicles
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Jan 17 2007 at 6:26pm | IP Logged
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Do it as long as SHE is enjoying trying to do it.. if it's not enjoyable.. drop it for a while before trying again. 
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: Jan 17 2007 at 8:09pm | IP Logged
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I have just started my almost 6-year-old (in april) with a big needle and yarn going in and out of holes in felt.
She also does straight stitches on the sewing machine. She's learned start, stop, where the light is, push the peddle, reverse, lifting the foot, etc. I've started drawing straight lines for her to try to follow. She loves it and would do it all day if I let her.
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Suzanne in ID
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Cici
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| Posted: Jan 17 2007 at 11:53pm | IP Logged
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My 4 (nearly 5) dd is always wanting to join me in my "crafting" activities. She wasn't happy with "sewing" any of the cards (cardboard or the wood ones). One thing we did was buy a piece of burlap from the fabric store and I drew a heart (my daughter is VERY girly and a heart appealed to her - you could draw any simple shape) in sharpie. (note: should use a different color than black if you don't want it to show through ). We put the burlap in an embrodery hoop where she did a "running stitch" along the heart in - whatelse? - pink yarn. She chose the yarn - for color and its softness. We keep the project in a little wicker basket that she has access to and she pulls it out when she feels the need.
When she was "finished", she attached a large (pink) button to the inside. The project is by no means pretty, per se. Her stitches are all over the place, in and out and around each other and I think she wound up sewing the corners down to the back of the project. It should be noticed that "finished" was her definition. I tried to "encourage" her to fill in the heart a little, put another outline of thread around the heart - but she would have none of it. In her eyes, its finished. And she's proud of it. And it was still fun.
But, it gave her a project she was interested in. She felt like she was doing it like me. And, you live a little learn a little.
I'd keep it fun for your daughter. Make sure she enjoys it. And, with these kinds of things, I believe its okay for them to make (sometimes glaring) mistakes. Sometimes, its easier to learn when a) there isn't any pressure to do it right, b) you can see what doing it wrong looks like.
Good luck! It is so much fun to share these "domestic things" with the little girls.
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My Sewing Blog
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Mary G
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| Posted: Jan 18 2007 at 7:47am | IP Logged
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Lorrie,
First, welcome to the forum.
I've been crafting FOREVER -- I grew up in SF and altho I went to a parochial school, many of my teachers were closet hippies so we were always doing something crafty (and usually with recycled goods) and my mother loves collecting craft books and mags so I had lots of resources.
As far as my own kids -- I let them go at their own pace. Some take to it like ducks to water -- others are different. I have the supplies and books and ideas at the ready but don't really push them unless I see they're not working up to potential 
I too am extremely anxious to share knitting with my kids, and have dreams of my younger daughter becoming my Little House girl with quilting, knitting, cooking, etc. But it could just as easily be my boys or not at all.
I think the key is to encourage by doing and let them "beg" for it ...and I don't think it's just for girls but boys should learn to knit, sew, etc if only to have a calming craft to do while listening to a read aloud.
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MaryG
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my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: Jan 18 2007 at 9:25am | IP Logged
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Mary -
Was that picture of your daughter knitting on your blog your 4 or 6 year old? It makes me want to learn how to knit!
Lorri -
Do you know about the "Catholic Mother's Sewing Group"? (yahoo group). I'll link it later if you don't have it already.
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Suzanne in ID
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Lorri
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| Posted: Jan 18 2007 at 9:42am | IP Logged
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Thanks for the replies. I love the suggestions of using burlap or felt. I think she'd like that. I've already taught my 8 yo son to knit, which he enjoys.
Mary, my dh grew up in SF, too. He went to Lowell HS (the only one of three boys to make it - much to his parent's bitter disappointment. That the others didn't go, I mean.)We always love to visit his parents, but the politics of that city drive us crazy!
Suzanne, I would appreciate that link, please!
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Lorri
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J.Anne
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| Posted: Jan 18 2007 at 1:05pm | IP Logged
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Lorri,
We have the same mindset here. My daughter has been begging to sew since we began the Litle House books. Knitting is a little out of her reach right now, but I am going to try to find some giant needles for her to learn on. We sew a lot on felt here. It is a great way to practice making even stiches, threading the needle etc. One tip, though, the wool felt is MUCH nicer and easier to use. I bought some cheap felt at the craft store and it fell apart at the edges and was much harder to punch through for her. I ordered See and Sew for her. Hopefully it will be here next week. I'll report back if it is good.
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MicheleQ
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Have you seen One Hour Craft's How to Teach a Child to Sew tutorials? There's 3 lessons so far. Very nice.
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Michele Quigley
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: Jan 18 2007 at 2:40pm | IP Logged
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This is so great! Very helpful. Thanks Michelle.
Here is the link for the Catholic Mother's Sewing Room
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Suzanne in ID
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Good age to start needlework?
