Quilting with Teens or Tweens

How do you get a teen or tween interested in quilting?

If your teen likes to craft, that’s half the battle. From there, you only have to find a project that fits his/her specific likes.

For instance, if you have a child that enjoys a particular television show, find a way to incorporate that into the quilt. One popular tween show is “iCarly.” Use fabrics to recreate the simple TV show logo to teach applique. Start with a small lap size quilt, applique the logo in the center and quilt for a nice room accessory. Take a look at the basement rug in the show “Good Luck, Charlie.” It’s made of sections of old jeans.  Help your child make a smaller version of the rug, plus a denim patchwork rag quilt for his/her bed.

If the interest is a sport, look for fabric with that sport theme. Intersperse it with school colors (or favorite colors) for a quilt. Show school spirit by making a patchwork quilt in just school colors.

Use your child’s favorite colors to make a quilt and show them how to tie it as the method of quilting. Tie with several colors of funky yarn to make it more youthful and fun.

Does the tween or teen in your life have a favorite cause? Quilting could be a great way to raise money for that cause.  Teens who love animals could make a pet-themed quilt to donate to a local humane society or animal shelter. The shelter, then, could sell raffle chances to win it.

The best way to get teens or tweens interested in quilting is to start with small projects. Don’t sit down with the task of making a queen sized Double Wedding Ring quilt with your child. Start with a lap quilt or throw unless the child specifically wants to make one for his/her bed.

Make it a project that fits their likes and needs and stick with a simple pattern. Start with squares – simple patchwork is easy and it helps them develop a sense of seam allowances.

Even if you are the very best applique quilter who uses the turned under method, show the kids how to use fusible webbing products to make applique. Why? It’s instant gratification. It helps them finish the project sooner. Get through the first project before you start teaching them the fine details of your own quilt procedures.

For best results when quilting with a teen or tween, get their input from the beginning. Ask them to help pick out fabrics. You can narrow their choices down for them by buying the ones you know will be best for the project, then letting them choose fabric placement. If you think the child will not be overwhelmed,  take him/her with you to the fabric store and take a color wheel. Teach them how to coordinate fabrics by looking at many.

Show them how to select thread. Don’t just show them how to match or contrast colors of thread, show them what they need to know about threads – the differences between quilting and all-purpose threads, rayon and cotton, monofilament, embroidery, etc.  Select the threads together for your quilting project.

As you quilt with your teen or tween, keep in mind that they have other interests too. Don’t make them sit and work until it is finished when they’d like to take a break with friends. Simply put the project aside, then encourage them to pick it up again when their mind can focus on it. If you make quilting enjoyable rather than a chore, it is more likely to stick with them as an interest throughout life.

© 2011-, Penny Halgren. This article courtesy of http://www.How-To-Quilt.com. You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.