It’s so amazing what our kids learn just by watching us. Cadie told me that she was going to make me a quilt for Christmas and then she just started doing it. I was floored.
(Cadie knows that she is allowed to use my sewing machine on ‘turtle speed.’ That is our rule.}
It started when she found this charm pack of 5” squares that I brought home from Quilt Market. First she arranged the squares on my design wall and then she started sewing them in pairs. Who ever taught her to do that? Not me!
But, since I had also never taught her about seam allowances, her ‘blocks’ looked like this.
After making a few she grew really frustrated. Somehow she instinctively new that her blocks would not fit together!
Then I had an idea. This is a 1/4” piecing foot that came with my Juki TL-2010Q. I don’t like to use it because I generally sew with a scant 1/4” seam allowance, but it was perfect for Cadie. Once she figured out how to make the fabric edges touch that little stopper on the sewing machine foot, this six-year-old’s seams were perfectly even and straight!
And I unpicked all of the blocks she had sewn so far. It was going to be my quilt, after all. 🙂
More progress on Cadie’s quilt is to come!
So, what have you been sewing up this week? Did you make something with one of my free sewing tutorials or patterns? I would love to see! Tag me on Instagram @sewcanshe.
Sew an organizer covered with pockets that you can hang in your closet! This easy sewing project is great for organizing sewing and craft supplies, fashion accessories, bathroom necessities, gift wrappings, and more. There are pockets on both sides plus a big interior pocket so every bit of space is used. I’ll show you easy step by step instructions for sewing this organizer and putting it to use in your home. Get sew organized today.
Are you sewing a Closet Organizer with me? I hope so! This is Part 2 of our free sewing tutorial for an amazing organizer with a coat hanger inside so you can hang it anywhere.
If you are getting started, make sure you start at Part 1 of the free pattern.
Be a basketmaker! Sure, you can sew, but did you know that you can make amazing baskets too using your sewing machine, some fabric and the same materials that you use for your other projects?
Have you fallen in love with Quilt as You Go yet? It’s a fun technique for quilts, of course, but I’m having lots of fun using it for pouches and tote bags too.
I’m so excited to share with you the pattern for our first mini quilt of 2018… Flora! This beautiful little quilt was designed by the very talented Lauren of Molly & Mama…
At my daughter Chloe’s high school (can you believe my baby started high school???), the lunch lines are so long that she has been skipping lunch! She’s always starving by the time she gets home because she doesn’t want to carry a big lunch bag as well as her heavy backpack – poor girl!
Looking for free table runner patterns? I gathered up all my favorites in one place – here are free quilt patterns for table runners for fall, winter, spring and summer!
I am so in love with the beautiful look of simple patchwork quilts with lots of squares. This is the perfect way to use up fabric scraps like I did, or you can make a beautifully coordinated quilt with pre-cut 2 1/2’’ square fabric pieces that come in mini-charm packs.
I’m also in love with the process. If you feel like quilt making is your escape from the world and sitting down to sew for a few hours makes your troubles fade away… this is the quilt for you!
Sew an easy beautiful apron with this free sewing pattern that only uses one yard of fabric! Whether you are sewing for yourself or for a friend, an apron always comes in handy and makes a great gift. This blog post includes a link to a free template that I digitized for you.
Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. 🙂
Sew a pool chair cover with a pillow and so many features! It will keep your pool chair clean and comfy – and have pockets for all your things. This fun sewing project uses a new beach towel and some fabric to make the perfect pool chaise cover.
I’m so excited about this new book that I get to review. Virginia Lindsay of Gingercake has given away all her secrets… this is seriously the most practical and beautiful book about running a sewing related business that I’ve ever seen. Sewing to Sell is an instant classic.
A great Cross Body Bag is a must. You will find free and easy DIY Cross-Body purses below with simple tutorials to follow and printable sewing instructions. Sometimes called a wallet on a string, these stylish accessories can hold it all, and keep you organized.
Do you want to know my most favorite $5 purchase EVER?
I’m sure I’ll go back and spend five dollars at least 10 more times before I’m done buying these…
12 Comments
This is so lovely! As I child I was allowed to use the sewing machine when my mother supervised. And now I´m still sewing my own clothes. I hope your daughter found a hobby for a lifetime in quilting!
I used to sneak into my mother’s sewing room, and run her Singer. I just loved it! I bought my youngest her first sewing machine at age 7. A practical $100 Kenmore that would do plenty, and grow with her. She sewed a number of things with it, but didn’t love it. She continued to go with me to the fabric store, though, and was soon drawn to the yarn and fiber aisles. Her true love is knitting now, and she collects yarn like I do fabric. I think of that little Kenmore as her ‘starter drug’.
That’s awesome, and she’s gotten pretty far. If she doesn’t finish and just kind of gives up (like I did as a child), save those blocks. I had started making a quilt for myself when I was pretty young out of fabric scraps, I never finished it, but there were a bunch of strips made. When I got married, my Mom took all of those strips (we’d moved by then so she even moved the strips) and made me a lap quilt, that actually fit a crib beautifully. She put a note with it that I was to never forget my childhood lessons.
This is so lovely! As I child I was allowed to use the sewing machine when my mother supervised. And now I´m still sewing my own clothes. I hope your daughter found a hobby for a lifetime in quilting!
I love it when kids are excited to sew things! It’s fun and great to build up their self-confidence. Can’t wait to see the finished quilt!
What a huge blessing for your daughter!! You are giving her a valuable gift for a lifetime!!
What a lovely little girl bless her. This made me feel so happy to see. Well done little lady.
Regards Marie
That’s great! I love to see her sewing as well 🙂 Can not wait for more progress 🙂
Great to see her sewing. It is amazing what they learn by watching.
that is just precious. First of all, she looks so like you, and now she’s sewing too?? Yea!
LeeAnna
I used to sneak into my mother’s sewing room, and run her Singer. I just loved it! I bought my youngest her first sewing machine at age 7. A practical $100 Kenmore that would do plenty, and grow with her. She sewed a number of things with it, but didn’t love it. She continued to go with me to the fabric store, though, and was soon drawn to the yarn and fiber aisles. Her true love is knitting now, and she collects yarn like I do fabric. I think of that little Kenmore as her ‘starter drug’.
How wonderful to know that she’s learning by watching you.
You must be so proud!! Awesome!!
That’s awesome, and she’s gotten pretty far. If she doesn’t finish and just kind of gives up (like I did as a child), save those blocks. I had started making a quilt for myself when I was pretty young out of fabric scraps, I never finished it, but there were a bunch of strips made. When I got married, my Mom took all of those strips (we’d moved by then so she even moved the strips) and made me a lap quilt, that actually fit a crib beautifully. She put a note with it that I was to never forget my childhood lessons.
That is so awesome that your daughter is making a quilt!!!! I look forward to seeing her progress and final project!! 🙂