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Pencil cases - teaching my kids to sew!

My girls are now 5 and 7 years old - and definitely old enough to learn how to sew.  We've done little bits and pieces before - but I want to start some real projects with them, that they can do mostly themselves, and get something they want at the end of it. 
At the beginning of the school holidays, they asked if they could make pencil cases, so today, we finally got around tuit!


Cute little pencil cases -fully lined - material specially chosen!
 They have amazingly good control with the machine. Even managing with the zipper foot!

And pretty good with the pins too! no accidental pin pricks for either of them! Only me!!!


I had to cut the fabric
(mental note to buy a smaller pair of dressmaking scissors that they can manage with their little hands). 
 And I helped my younger daughter with the pinning a little.
I also did the iron on applique, and the finishing topstitch.

I really want to get them making things to practice.  Not just endless straight lines on scrap bits of paper - but real projects, so they don't get bored - and have something to show for their hard work and concentration at the end of it all!

I took pictures along the way, and made a PDF tutorial for this so the girls can print it out and keep it
 (I'm sure that will be great show and tell material for school one day!)


What age were you when you learnt to sew?  Have you taught your kids?  How are you teaching them? 
Or maybe you're learning to sew yourself now? Through online courses? Classes? I'd love to hear how everyone learnt or is learning...

Jill




8 comments:

  1. good for them, they are little pros already! i learned to sew in home ec class, probably middle school. the machines scared me-still do-since i haven't used one since. i'm proud of myself for repairing the littlest thing, or sewing on a button by hand!

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  2. Hi Jill! Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog! Stopping by to say Hi to you now. My boys like to sew too. Recently, I got an urge to do counted cross-stitch again. I hadn't done one for 16 yrs. since my 1st one was born. 4 out of 5 of my boys wanted to do it too!!! It was so funny. My oldest son wouldn't touch it though.

    Would love for you to follow my new blog, it could really use followers.
    http://BlessOthersWithCards.blogspot.com

    Lisa xoxo

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  3. awww how wonderful! I wish my mom had taught me how to sew! I still don't know how!

    xoXOxo
    Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

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  4. I think both you and them did a great job. Its great to teach your kids how to be creative and crafty!
    I'm following from the Tuesday Blog Trail Hop. I'd love for you to follow back!


    Heather From and Mommy Only Has Two Hands! and Lynhea Designs

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  5. This is a skill that will serve them their whole lives! What a great teaching moment :)

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  6. That is great that you are teaching them to sew. I can't sew at all but did get a machine a few years back. I've made a couple things and would love to teach my daughter. Maybe one day we'll both take a class...lol! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  7. Jill, this is quite daring that you are letting your small(ish) kids use scissors and your sewing machine. good for you, and how empowering for them that must be. I bet you they are soo proud.

    Thank you so much for your tutorial and your contribution to our DIY CRAFT TUTORIAL linky party.

    We love featuring great articles like yours and appreciate people following the party 'rules' and linking back to us so we can all share in the fun.

    Look forward to seeing you again next week!

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  8. what a fantastic skill to teach your kids and sewing zippers at their age! i'm still learning them and i'm 31!

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