Teaching others to Sew

Once a week I volunteer at a local residency for young woman who need help from depression, Eating disorders, abuse, neglect, etc. Right now we are working with teaching the woman how to sew and make a lap quilt. Most of them are really excited about the quilts and are doing well with each process.

I've taught them how to use a rotary cutter and ruler to cut their fabric. We're making a simple 9 patch square. It's easy enough to make because all the squares are the same size and yet they can incoorporate more colors into their quilt if they like. The young woman are in the sewing stage now. They are eager to learn simple tricks to help their sewing go faster and be more productive. For many of them this is their first experience using a sewing machine and working with fabric.

Some of the quilts will have sashing strips between the blocks while others will not. Once the quilt tops are together we will show them how to knot and finish the quilts. We're hoping that by late spring all the quilts will be done.

The fabric that the young women have used was all donated. We are now looking for people to donate some battings so that we can finish up the quilts this spring.

Another project we are thinking about doing with the young ladies, is making pillowcases. It would be a smaller project and they could make them as gifts or to be donated to a local charity.

It's exciting to see their progress and to see their excitement grow as they get more and more blocks done. Hopefully we are sparking a new interest in them and some new quilters may be born!