Emma was so excited to learn to sew. Her Grandma brought her in for lessons. She’s a 4-H member, and needed help to finish her sewing project before the Winnebago County Fair.
She’s making a pillowcase. She picked out some cat fabric by Ink and Arrow for Quilting Treasures. She did the first part of it, and next week when she comes back she will finish the band.
Her Grandma was in the shop again today, and she told me how excited Emma was to have the sewing class. She had never sewn anything before. She had a new machine that she had gotten for Christmas last year.
It’s always a delicate balance teaching a young lady like Emma. I don’t want to overwhelm them, or give them too much information in too short of time. But, there is so much that they need to learn. So, I carefully explain only the most necessary information in the first session. What that means is that they learn to thread their sewing machine and wind the bobbin. They get the essentials of what makes the sewing machine work, and how the feed dogs work to move the fabric. Then, I talk to them about the importance of not cutting anything but fabric with their new garment scissors! They learn about seam allowance and how to “steer” the fabric under the presser foot.
Emma will need to learn how to do a thorough finish of her seam allowances. Because I was in 4-H for 9 years, I am very well versed in what the judges are going to look for.
So far, she’s done a fabulous job.
