Sunday, June 21, 2009

Teaching Kenna to Sew

Kenna has lots of friends and loves to play, play, and play some more so it's been hard to get McKenna to slow down enough and stay at home long enough so I can teach her how to sew. Well, the night before last was the perfect opportunity. Her Dad was out golfing with his brother, her two older siblings were both gone and it was just her and I on a Friday night.

This isn't Kenna's first time at the sewing machine but it is the first time that I've taken the time to make a project with her (Thanks to Lori and Kassidy for inspiring us to re-start "Sew Night" at our house and to begin creating some wonderful memories together).

I started by introducing her to my mother's sewing machine and she asked me if it could be hers and I thought why not. I told her that she could have her grandmother's sewing machine if she wanted it. She was very excited about that which makes me happy. What a great gift to give a child. The gift of learning a talent that will bless her life forever. I know because sewing and quilting has and continues to bless my life. I then showed her how to thread the machine and to fill a bobbin and then how all of the buttons worked on the machine. Then we cut out her pillow case and started to sew. My serger isn't working right now so I showed her how to make french seams and finish it off.


I've had this grouping of flannel for several years now thinking I'd make Kenna a flannel blanket but never found the time so this fabric was perfect to let her use.


McKenna is concentrating on keeping her seams straight.

It's sooo much fun watching them experience things.

Look at that happy face!
I LOVE it!

What a great sense of accomplishment and she's already after me to cut out the blocks for her quilt. No rest for me but I am going to try to get some sewing in on Saturday even if it kills me. The housework can wait (again) and the dishes are done so that's one thing I can say I did (I wrote this post on Friday to be posted after midnight on Sunday).

Have a great weekend and I hope you accomplish some of the things you wanted to do.

17 comments:

Barb said...

That smile is priceless.....what a fun time you both had.

Susan said...

It's great fun, isn't it?! I didn't have daughter's to teach (and my boys had no interest in sewing) but I sure am enjoying being able to teach my granddaughters to quilt!

Pat said...

What fun and how nice to see such a happy smile. My two girls had no interest in learning to sew. I made the mistake of giving one of them one of my older (and favorite) machines when she was married and she has long since gotten rid of it. I have one granddaughter that seems a bit interested in learning and am hopeful a second one will want to learn, also.

Nedra said...

Kenna is one cute girl! I loved being able to meet her on Friday. You are building such happy memories, and my guess is she will be as creative as you are.

Unknown said...

Good for Kenna! That is what I say start them young! Great job and keep on sewing.

Material Mary said...

I think we all have the need to create something and sewing is a great medium. Kenna will enjoy this experience for a very long long time.

Mary

Unknown said...

That's so cute! My mom tried to teach me how to sew when I was in high school, and I would have nothing to do with it. Now I wished I would have learned from her then, instead of self teaching now. But I can't wait until my kids are old enough to show them how to sew. They already love watching me sew and are good helpers!

Tudy said...

I taught my 2 youngest grandkids to hand sew when they were very young. They spent a weekend hand sewing squares together. One of these kids was a boy and he was the one to ask me to teach him. His younger sister had to learn too. Since then they have both used the sewing machine at home with mom's help. They also enjoy other stitching projects.

Kaye said...

Kim it sounds like Kenna is hooked like we all are. My gd Katie is 8 and she asked me to teach her. I started with some hand sewing, and she often goes into my scrap pile and asks for fabric. She sits and does her thing, but not for too long a period. I have an old machine and when she is ready or I think she is I will teach her. I have no doubt we will one day be vieing for the use of the Janome

CJ said...

Sweet post. My daughter took some basic lessons from someone else when she was younger, along with some friends. She hasn't shown any more interest in doing anymore of it at this point. My son is intrigued by it but thinks it is the scariest thing ever - I tell him I'm a thrill seeker (which is a HUGE joke-especially comapared to things he does!!). Enjoy your time together!!!

Shari said...

This is so wonderful! Congratulations to McKenna on her first finished project!!! One of many to come I'm sure. The flannels are so cute... but not as cute as McKenna! Thanks for sharing.

dotti white said...

Kim...that looks like so much fun! Is Kenna your daughter or granddaughter? Hope you have a great week!

Anonymous said...

V. here... Thank you so much. My grandaughter is coming and I really want to do something fun with her. She lives in Nigeria!! I had been thinking pillowcases would be good. You and Kenna are inspiring. v.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

My goodness, she is just darling!!

Thimbleanna said...

How fun! And very exciting for Kenna to have her grandmother's machine -- she looks adorable there sewing. And I see a posie pin pie peeking in from the background!

Julie @ Jaybird Quilts said...

nice job! my mom didn't get me in front of a machine till i was 19!

Nanette Merrill said...

Can you imagine where we would be without learning to sew and having moms teach us? It makes me so grateful every time I think of it and see another little girl learning to sew at the feet of her mother.