Sew Inspirational

Who Will Teach the Children?

Once upon a time all children learned to sew...
If only fairy tales were true today!

Unfortunately in 2007 I have to ask the question – Who will teach the children?

There is no longer an emphasis placed on this necessary and basic skill in most senior education systems and many children no longer have the opportunity to decide for themselves if they have an interest in this creative direction.

At the kindergarten and infants school level, however, the many benefits and rewards of craft and sewing skills are still recognised and creative learning is an integral part of the education system. Parents, grandparents, teachers and retailers need to build on this base and take responsibility for introducing and inspiring children at this age. Children learn by doing and they are excited by learning to do something well. Practice, success and creative repetition will soon teach confidence and coordination and establish a skill that will give them a gift for a lifetime.

Just when to start children sewing is the big question. Young children develop gross motor skills at different stages and their attention span varies, so very young children develop sewing skills individually and need more attention and encouragement. How you treat the first spark of interest will make all the difference to the childs' future attitude towards sewing. Nurture curiosity by answering questions patiently and by initiating sewing projects that are achievable.

Suggestions for different age groups

Pre-school – introduce sewing related products: fabric and trims, spools of thread, tape measures, zippers. Big buttons and buttonholes, big hooks and eyes and press studs (all securely sewn on to felt or activity cushion), which allow children to play with new objects and feel new textures, make a good introduction.

Infants school (5-8 year olds) – introduce simple hand stitched projects. Basic cross-stitch, tapestry whip stitch, running stitch and backstitch are easily tackled with large eyed tapestry needles and wool on large needlepoint canvas. Soft toys made from felt will introduce basic sewing concepts such as patterns, cutting, stitching, attaching buttons and simple trims, and are achievable finished projects.

Primary school (8-12 year olds) – introduce the sewing machine; boys and girls will be interested in the mechanics and operation of the machine. Progress with projects that interest and challenge them and always finish with a completed product to show for their effort. Use basic, classic designs and vary the fabric choice to keep the garment in style – simple pull-on pants, shorts or skirts and over-the-head tops are a great way to start. Make two or three different items exactly the same way, and then select more advanced patterns that add only one new technique at a time. Simple projects develop basic skills and are the foundation for success.

With all this in mind several companies offer patterns, books and information especially designed for very young sewers. Look for patterns with labels such as Easy, Learn to Sew for Fun, Easy to Sew and Yes I Can Learn to Sew in the pattern catalogues. Although not always designed specifically for children, they do contain information for beginner sewers.

Some Australian Sewing Guild groups have Junior member groups (anyone under the age of eighteen) associated to them and they are run by volunteer members. They are taking the Guilds primary objective of ‘Sharing and furthering the art of sewing’ directly to the next generation, with rewarding and exciting results. Perhaps you too could consider teaching someone to sew or help to start a Junior group in your area and pass down the age old craft of the needlewoman.

For further details on Australian Sewing Guild activities or to find out about other great plans, groups or meetings look at the ASG website www.aussew.org.au.

Ten Things Every New Sewer Needs To Know

1. Find or create a sewing place.
2. Learn about the tools of trade. Find out as much as you can about new and improved haberdashery, interfacings, fabrics, machines.
3. Study the pattern catalogues. They are filled with a wealth of useful information and patterns for specific body types.
4. Buy the right pattern size.
5. Learn what the back of a pattern envelope can tell you and when you buy a pattern read the whole guidesheet, before you start.
6. Learn sewing terminology.
7. Buy the best quality you can afford.
8. Start early and begin with achievable projects.
9. Sew things that you’ll love to wear.
10. Repeat each learning experience.

• A basic sewing machine with great tension and a fabulous buttonhole will take you from learner to couture. Anything extra can be added as your interests and other creative pursuits develop.
• Ironing board and a good steam iron.
• Dressmaking Shears – Bent handled shears 15 – 20cm long. The bent handles permit the blades to rest flat on the cutting surface, ensuring an accurate cutting line.
• Small Scissors - straight handled scissors with sharp points, 8 – 15cm long for light cutting, trimming, grading and clipping threads.
• Gridded cardboard cutting table or fold-out gridded cutting board. Cardboard allows you to pin into the board and the gridded surface makes it easier to lay up fabric and patterns on-grain. Either can be folded and stored out of the way when not in use.
• Marking chalk or chalk wheel. Chalk comes in several colours. White and pink will mark almost everything and brush away later, but always test on a scrap.
• Sharp, long, plastic headed dressmaking pins for most jobs.
• Fine lace pins for delicate fabrics.
• Needles and threads – These two items should be considered together. The type and weight of fabric will determine your choice. Keep a variety of sewing machine and hand needles and always buy the best quality thread.
• And last, but not least a sturdy unpicker. No matter how good you become you will always have a close relationship with your unpicker!