I'm teaching a sewing class to a couple girls in our homeschooling group and I'm running out of simple projects for them. The girls are 8 and 10 and are very new to sewing. I'm looking for small, quick and easy projects for them, preferably something that can be finished in 1-2 hours time. So far we've done snugbug's origami tissue pouches and Starleigh headbands, they're loving having finished projects to take home with them after each lesson and have asked for more things like that before diving into elastic pants/skirt/shorts. I'm leaning toward pillowcases for the next project, but would love to hear any other ideas. :)

Drawstring gift bags

I was going to say pillowcases, but I see you already thought of that.

Turned and topstitched doll diapers with no elastic are easy, but I don't know if they play with dolls.

Drawstring bags are an excellent idea, I also just remembered bean bags. Not sure if they're interested in bean bags, but it wouldn't hurt to ask.

I was just about to edit to say that doll diapers may be harder than I was thinking since they'd have to turn small curves.

Maybe simple, one-layer tote bags?

What about square bottom library bags? You can even buy straps from Joann's to use as handles so that they don't have to deal with turning tubes.

How about the neck pillows instead of bean bags? Maybe something more that girls that age would get into.

Bags are a great idea.

Also, a simple gored skirt with an elastic waist would be fun too!

Or a notebook cover....like one for the smaller spiral notebooks with a pencil holder made out of loops that will keep it closed also.

Pencil pouch with a zipper and grommets to use in a 3-ring notebook.

Wallet with pockets on the inside.

Pillow for their bed with an applique maybe?

Hooded scarf out of polar fleece for a bit later in the season....oh wait, you are in CA, maybe not.

CD holder/case

Bias cut tube scarves are fun

I'll keep thinking.....................

How about those coasters that Cherryann made? There is some folding involved but then just sewing around the square. They could make them as a gift for their mamas, grandma, auntie, etc.

A doll pillow and blanket if they play with dolls still or perhaps have a younger sibling to gift it to.

Cloth napkins if you think they could iron up a hem. Placemats could be sewn, turned and topstitched.

Triangle head scrarf w/ elastic.

Jayme, my daughter is 8 and she just finished making a patchwork blankie for her dolls. We didn't use batting, just flannel for the back. Turned and top stitched the edges. I'm thinking maybe a simple applique for the next blanket would be cute and patchwork around the border. The patchwork was good to teach those 1/4" seem allowances and matching up the cross sections.

Or you can do a small crazy quilt those are easy and you can use scrap fabric. Turn and top stitch the backing to finish a doll blanket.

In the last Threads, there was a cute project to make a small purse from a placemat. You take a woven placemat, fold it in two lengthwise. Then you take the bottom edge and bring it up so that there's only 1/4 of the length that sticks out (that 1/4 will be your flap). Then you manage to attach a long cord for the strap, sew a cute button on the purse and a loop on the flap, and tada!

The project involves sewing through 4 layers + the cord, so I don't know how hard it would be, but the result was really cute!

Another idea I just had was a small rag quilt blanket. It is quick and easy with two layers of flannel.

strippy skirts!

have you checked this website for ideas?
http://sewyoungsewfun.com/freeprojects/default.html

and

aprons? http://etherwork.net/ejmtph/sew/apron.html

we just finished the quick project of peasant shirts:
http://www.amitymama.com/vb/showthread.php?t=240180

tote bags:
http://www.amitymama.com/vb/showthread.php?t=239428

sewing project ideas from girl scouts:
http://www.makingfriends.com/sewing.htm (theres more on this site, if you look around)


good luck, and what fun! I've been collecting ideas b/c we're teh sewing project leaders for 4H this year! :happy:

I second the elastic waist skirt idea. I did sewing 4H when I was age 9-12 and the first year we made elastic waist skirts with a ruffle on the bottom.

:)
Vicki

The most recent Sew News has a great article about teaching kids to sew making pillows.

Thanks for all the great ideas everyone! They made pillowcases and it went better than I had anticipated. Straight lines are a bit challenging for one of the girls, but she did a passable job and they were both so excited about their pillowcases.

Last week they made starleigh headbands and they were both wearing them yesterday. :D Next week I think we'll go with drawstring bags.

Too late, I see, but I did just come across this and think of you.

http://www.simplicitysewing.com/kidssummerfun2005/

Gail, thanks for the link. It's not too late at all, the class will likely go on all summer and they love having little projects that are started and finished in one afternoon. I think they'd like that bandana neckroll pillow. :)

ACtually, I think my DS would like that one, too.

Did anyone mention triangular headscarves yet? Beanbags? (rice packs maybe so they can put them in a first aid box...)

PS here are 3 easy projects from Martha Stewart:

http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=content&id=channel1138&catid=cat356&navLevel=4

http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=content&id=channel1714&catid=cat356&navLevel=4

http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=content&id=channel1221&catid=cat356&navLevel=4

Last month's mag had an easy silverware roll (caddy) made from a placemat with a ribbon tie. (fold up the bottom, sew channels for silverware, sew on ribbon tie - much like a knitting needle roll.)

Last month's mag had an easy silverware roll (caddy) made from a placemat with a ribbon tie. (fold up the bottom, sew channels for silverware, sew on ribbon tie - much like a knitting needle roll.)

Thanks Candace, I was browsing the MS site earlier today looking for ideas. :) How are you liking the magazine lately? I let my subscription expire because I hadn't been reading it for some time, but I'm thinking about renewing?

Well, lately I'm not much inspired by it, but my friend (a looong-time subscriber) says it's coming back around to the way it had been before Martha went to jail, so maybe there's hope... Some of the stuff is decent, but to be honest most just doesn't apply to me and my lifestyle, LOL. I mostly subscribed as a show of support, though there have been some interesting things in there.