Giving gifts

One of my favorite gifts to give girls is a sewing kit.

Why I think girls love receiving these:

#1) It's their very own. No bugging Mom or Gram or Auntie.
#2) Mom can't accuse them of losing or ruining her best sewing scissors.
#3) Good tools work better.
#4) No-rules creativity is the best.
#5) Even a girl without a sewer in the house can start making stuff-all by herself!
#6) No sewing machine needed.

What I like to include:

• Really good scissors. Clover makes some 7" pink handled scissors that are adorable.



• Quality thread. Anyone who's ever fought with thread understands this. None of the five for $1 spools.



• Pins and needles. I have become hooked on English hand sewing needles. They glide.



• Fabric: scraps, bundles, thrift store finds. Cotton is easier to sew on.



• One starter project or pattern or idea: pre-cut quilt squares, directions to make a tote bag or purse.



• If you sew, a coupon for a sewing lesson.

Summer Sewing Club

This summer we invited friends over for a sewing club. Five girls arrived with baskets of fabric, ranging from woodsy cabins to sophisticated pink and blacks.

We started with 'old school' methods: tracing a simple 4" square onto cardboard-cereal boxes-to make a template. Next they traced the square onto their fabric, and cut it out, using scissors, adding a rough 1/4" seam allowance. I helped them thread needles, and learn to sew with a running stitch. My goal was to give them skills to sew anywhere, anytime.

Surprisingly, these 10 year olds didn't get to iron at home. The girls were very pleased to learn how to iron. (And, as one of these overprotective parents myself, I wonder what else I am keeping my children from experiencing.)

As the weeks went on, the girls graduated to the sewing machine. They loved the speed!

How to: Once a week, one hour of sewing, one hour of playing. One person at the sewing machine at a time. No rotary cutters in sight. Ten years is a very good age to start sewing. Learning from someone who is not your mom makes it easier.

A Bonus: I got to pass on one of my favorite things!

Has anyone else tried this? Send me your thoughts by Sept.15, and I will draw one name to receive some charm squares!