teaching quilting to grade 8's
01-19-2012, 09:16 PM
#11
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: S. W. Indiana
Posts: 7,484
so the principle at my kids' school asked me to come in and teach the grade 8 class about quilting, to make a quilt with them that they can enter into the year end art competition that is all the schools in the district. i have been thinking and thinking and i know i want them to each make 2 squares (i have no idea how many their are, 25-30 i am guessing) one square would be a traditional quilt square like a pinwheel or something and the other would be iron on applique and i will let them sew around it with fancy stitching themselves. so does that sound good, or do you think it will be too hard for them? i'm not too sure. my oldest is that age and she does complex needle work and designs her own projects but she is very artistic and driven so i'm not sure what to expect from the other kids. any suggestions on getting them involved, ideas or advice?
Remember the center of a pinwheel can be a nightmare for even experienced quilters. And I'd stick with a very simple slip stitch for the applique.
01-20-2012, 10:18 AM
#12
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: New York City/Manhattan
Posts: 1,316
my daughter's 6th grade class (maybe 5th?) was learning about tesselations so I coordinated the students who made foundation-pieced blocks, one apiece, that when put together was a tesselation. I used the school's colors of purple and white, mostly purples divided into light, medium, and dark. depending on the dark or light chosen, the medium went the other way. The kids had a blast, and the foundation piecing (which was done under my supervision and many of the kids had foundation-pieced schoolhouse blocks with me in the 3rd grade) helped the blocks hold up even to less-than-perfect stitching. It was great fun. If I'd remembered to take a pic, I could have shown it to you. The pattern was the snail trail with a 4-patch center.
01-20-2012, 10:33 AM
#13
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: nevada
Posts: 827
what about rag quilts? if the seams aren't perfect it's not a disaster. I'd stay away from triangles, and even 10 minute blocks. I'd stick with 9 patch blocks or something very simple and fusible applique isn't a bad idea either - but I think I'd stick with a simple zigzag instead of the decorative stitches.
01-20-2012, 10:57 AM
#14
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 514
Having done numerous crafts with various age groups over the years I can tell you from experience you will likely have a wide range of ability and talent. When my oldest was 13 I would test drive craft ideas with my 7 year old and even then I would have some 13 year olds that struggled. Even at 8th grade there will be some that will struggle with even sewing a straight line, others will be at your daughters level.
If it were me I would choose the most simple block possible that everyone would do one of and then have two additional options for those that can and want to do more.
If it were me I would choose the most simple block possible that everyone would do one of and then have two additional options for those that can and want to do more.
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