Well, for goodness sake, whooda thunk? I am a mentor to a high school student.
My student is doing a commendable senior project, in which she plans to make three or four baby quilts, which she will donate to charity. Never having sewn before, she was in need of someone to show her how to do it. Despite my many failings, knowing how to sew is one of my strong points, so I felt it was ok to accept the assignment.
Last week we went shopping, where she picked out fabric for her first baby quilt. Dinosaurs were the theme, and it gladdened my heart to see how enthusiastic she was about her choice of fabric. Love of fabric is crucial to quilting satisfaction and feeding the passion, do you not agree?
This week we got down to business. I laid out our text, and the basic tools with which I wanted her to become familiar. I taught her how to use a rotary cutter, and she managed to cut out her fabric, keeping the ruler mostly in place. The cutting took rather a long time, and I wanted her to get some sewing in to satisfy that craving for instant gratification we all need when embarking on a new endeavor.
The biggest challenges we faced in our first lesson was keeping the ruler from shifting while we cut our fabric, and sewing an accurate quarter inch seam. When she first put her foot on the foot pedal of the sewing machine, I think it really startled her! At first it went gangbusters, then she slowed down to a stitch per two seconds. However, it didn't take her long to get up to speed on how to operate the machine, but that quarter inch seam allowance was a real problem.
Above all, I want her to succeed with her project, and that quarter inch business is a buggaboo for most new sewers. What to do? When you are first learning to sew there are so many things to pay attention to--how fast the machine is going, if your fabric edges are in alignment, should you sew over that pin, etc. Worrying about all that plus paying attention to the seam allowance as you feed the fabric through the machine is just a bit much.
Thank goodness for having the proper tools at hand. I switched out the number 37 quarter inch foot on my Bernina for a number 57, and that made all the difference. The number 57 foot has a little metal guide that stays right on the edge of your fabric, so you can't wander all over. In no time flat, she had a perfect quarter inch seam allowance! Thank you Bernina.
Here is her design wall, with her blocks and lattices all laid out. She loved that dinosaur fabric, and managed to get her first row of blocks sewn together today! I am pretty jazzed for her success.
Wonderful! You helped creating a new dedicated quilter!
Posted by: Anita | October 25, 2012 at 04:27 AM
Cheers and applause for your student's bravery in boldly plunging in to this new adventure!! Even the most amazing and awesome quilter was once a beginner, cutting the lovely fabric in sheer terror, and wibble wobbling while trying for that perfect 1/4" inch seam allowance. How well I remember.
Some little someone will cherish that jazzy dinosaur quilt. Love the fabric choices, too.
Yes, love of fabric is something all quilters have in common and understand in others. :)
I once asked a quilt shop owner how much fabric she bought if she had no pattern in mind. She said if she liked the fabric, at least 1 yard. If she really liked the fabric, she bought at least 2 yards. If she thought it would be a good border fabric, she bought at least 3 yards. If she loved the fabric, 4 yards. Once or twice she LOVED the fabric and bought the bolt. I thought that was good information!
Hope you have time to enjoy the glories of autumn!
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | October 25, 2012 at 06:14 AM
A big congrats to both you and your student. You've both done a magnificent job.
Posted by: Laurie in Iowa | October 25, 2012 at 06:28 AM
What fun, Nicole!!! You are 'birthing' a quilter. I had my 10 y/o granddau. this summer for a week. Her mom and I cut bricks and stones pieces, she arranged on my design wall, then stitched them into a 42 x 42 wall hanging. She does have some sewing experience. Two years ago, I bought her a small sewing machine and before that, she was piecing by hand. She is the fifth generation of quilters in our family.
I love watching your quilts go together, the fabric choice 'reasoning' and the fact you show your mistakes (how many too small half sq. triangle pieces????). You are good morning coffee entertainment (Thelma, too!!).
Posted by: Gwynette in NW Arkansas | October 25, 2012 at 06:35 AM
How lucky could that young lady get than to have a good and happy teacher! Sweetness!
Posted by: Pam | October 25, 2012 at 06:42 AM
Hey! I have that book too. Congrats to you on passing on your knowledge to a newbie quilter :D Very well done.
Posted by: Pat C in Washington | October 25, 2012 at 07:09 AM
How wonderful! I teach a fair number of youngsters and new quilters and I really enjoy it. I have found that teaching students to put their "pinky" finger on the outside of the ruler helps with reducing the amount of walking the ruler does and makes for better cuts. You both should be very proud. :-)
Posted by: Joanne H. | October 25, 2012 at 07:16 AM
Ooooh, I made one of my first quilts from that book many years ago! I hope your young student gets bitten by the quilting bug hard! o:)
Posted by: Denise in pA | October 25, 2012 at 07:27 AM
It is so satisfying to teach someone to sew or quilt. I love the process and especially helping newbies! So glad you are having fun with the new quilter:)
LauraT
Posted by: LauraTawney | October 25, 2012 at 07:32 AM
That is so very cool! If I had the time, I would absolutely love to do just the same type of thing for a teenaged girl, but alas that is not my situation. I did help teach a girlfriend here at work how to make Penny Sturges' "Chubby Charmer" bag and she has gone gangbusters with that, completing 15 bags since February. YES! I said 15 bags! (all the females in her family have them now). This weekend we are going to attempt a different project, and I'm sure she will do well at that also.
Posted by: sillysally | October 25, 2012 at 07:44 AM
It takes a lot of patience to teach someone to sew and you are to be commended for showing her the correct methods! Her design wall is something to be very proud of! Congrats to you both!
Posted by: Jan | October 25, 2012 at 07:45 AM
I love mentoring new quilters. Just going through the basics and seeing things click is such a great feeling.
When my daughter was younger her girl scout troop did a community service project for Project Linus. A rep came to our meeting and talked to them about the organization and they watched a video about the quilts/ blankets they collect. Then I had them bring in a sewing machine, if they had one(the troop was about 7 or 8 girls). I brought some Dr. Scholl's Moleskin Plus and with a little ruler, all the machines had a 1/4" guide on them in no time. We used 3 - 1.5" strips to make sure that the 1/4" was accurate.
It was a wonderful experience for them and for me.
That book is a great choice for a beginner and by the picture of the design wall, you have the immediate gratification taken care of.
Posted by: Sandy M | October 25, 2012 at 07:48 AM
What a great job she is doing and what fun you must be having with her! Teaching someone who is thoroughly enjoying themselves can be so contagious. I love that book too! It's a must-have for a quilting library, lots of quick quilts, plus I've made them in lap/teen size by just adding more blocks :) Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Anita | October 25, 2012 at 08:07 AM
She has done a great job. Congratulations to her, and to you for being such a great teacher.
Posted by: Dresden Quilter | October 25, 2012 at 08:11 AM
How very lucky you both are. The joy of sharing and teaching and the joy of learning and accomplishing. What a great way for you both to give to charity. You are a good teacher, just look at how wonderful she is doing. Yah to you both!
Posted by: Paula Stuplich | October 25, 2012 at 08:14 AM
You are giving that young lady your most valuable asset, your time! I'm so happy it's turning into a nice experience for you both. I think she's doing great so far, must be the teacher!
Posted by: Thelma | October 25, 2012 at 08:41 AM
I love that you're mentoring a new quilter. And she's very lucky -- she has a great teacher! You'll both enjoy the experience, and hopefully she'll be a quilter for life.
Posted by: Debbie R. | October 25, 2012 at 09:28 AM
Good for you. You are impacting this young lady for the rest of her life. That's what I love about quilters.
Posted by: Jean | October 25, 2012 at 09:36 AM
you would be a great mentor. Her quilt is looking great.
Posted by: Lee | October 25, 2012 at 10:05 AM
Congrats to her AND you! A quilter in the making!
Posted by: Stephanie D | October 25, 2012 at 10:53 AM
Nicole - what a great opportunity for both you and your student. And of course good practice for when the time comes to teach E. to sew. Keep up the great work.
Posted by: Wendy T. | October 25, 2012 at 11:16 AM
You may already do this but I have found that putting small pieces of sandpaper on my rulers keeps them from slipping. Some quilt shops sell small sandpaper disks that have adhesive on the back. You can also purchase adhesive backed sandpaper at the hardware store and cut it yourself. Congrats on bringing a new quilter into the fold.
Posted by: Linda Kennedy | October 25, 2012 at 11:50 AM
Congratulations to BOTH of you! Bravo! I am so excited for her and for you!
Posted by: Bari Jo | October 25, 2012 at 02:48 PM
Congratulate her from a quilter from down under.
I have two daughters - only one is a sewer but her first project was a baby quilt when she was about 17. It turned out great and she now sews for her two children.
Well done.
Posted by: Ellen Easter | October 25, 2012 at 05:44 PM
Nothing is better than teaching a young person a new skill! Her fabric choices are fantastic! I think you may have a budding full time quilter there, Nicole!
Cheers!
Posted by: Candace | October 25, 2012 at 06:08 PM