TQS BOM for teen's - The next generation of Quilters

[Jill B.]

Hello,

What thoughts would you have with a suggestion of a TQS BOM for teenagers or young beginner quilters.

1. The next generation of Quilters.
2. Generaly teenagers or younger, they would need to use the sewing machine and computer in general.
3. Very simple, perhaps an extra large cushion cover going forwards etc.
4. No kits to keep the costs down and easier for TQS also.
5. A FUTURE TQS ADULT MEMBERSHIP - most likely they would come through a member of the TQS now & use your sign on.
6. A future gift certificate membership for Xmas, birthdays etc, if they had a continued interest.

What do you all think?

[Judy B.]

Love the idea. We wouldn't really need a separate design. The BOMs, so far, all lend themselves to a beginner
doing just a few of the easier blocks, then using them for pillow tops or a throw. Anything that encourages
more quilters is a great idea.

[Judy B.]

My daughter, not quite a teen at 21, has just asked if I can make her up some quilt or appliqué blocks for her to do when she is off duty when she goes to Afghanistan in 6 weeks. I haven't a clue what to do for her but I will do my best to find something. Perhaps I will look back at Sue's BOMs for clues.

[Hannelore N.]

Put my granddaughter Eva (born 21st May 2010) down for it. Let's start them young!

[Mandella E.]

Do you think that a project that takes place over a sustained amount of time is good for teenagers? Will it hold their interest for long enough, or after a couple of sessions without a finished item will they be ready to move on to the next new thing to try, because that's what we're meant to be doing at that age? Would it be better to have a series of smaller projects, but ones that teach the skills, eg. a needlebook, a tool roll, a pencil case, a notebook cover, placemats, a cushion etc, etc? From my experiences with young quilters through The Quilters' Guild in England, seasonal projects (Easter, Halloween, Christmas) go down well and anything that involves mess, i.e. fabric paints, glitter etc is generally popular too.

[Jill B.]

Put my granddaughter Eva (born 21st May 2010) down for it. Let's start them young!

Hey Lorchen,

My next grandaughter is due end of September so we have a date in about 15 years okay....!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jill B.]

Do you think that a project that takes place over a sustained amount of time is good for teenagers? Will it hold their interest for long enough, or after a couple of sessions without a finished item will they be ready to move on to the next new thing to try, because that's what we're meant to be doing at that age? Would it be better to have a series of smaller projects, but ones that teach the skills, eg. a needlebook, a tool roll, a pencil case, a notebook cover, placemats, a cushion etc, etc? From my experiences with young quilters through The Quilters' Guild in England, seasonal projects (Easter, Halloween, Christmas) go down well and anything that involves mess, i.e. fabric paints, glitter etc is generally popular too.

Nahh they have all that type of craft going all the time every place, schools, parties, church etc etc

I am talking about the children who have a passion for sewing, like myself who has been sewing since I could touch the foot pedal on the sewing machine and has not stopped, gee am I the only one who has sewn since childhood. I find it strange that adults can forget how we started in our sewing journey......Lets give those like myself the chance to have a go at quilting which may then become a life time love affair. If they don’t follow through then they didn’t have the sewing bug to start.
I am not saying the sewing has to be perfect, just the journey they take.

My 15 year old granddaughter Suzannah has been sewing for years and has grown from sewing "general stuff" to more interesting things like quilts, and has so far made about 3 throw size quilts - ALL SEWN BY HAND, every little stitch, so if she can at that age spend a lot of time sewing by hand then I think there must be others around this world of ours like her. The quilt being made at the moment is for her Auntie, I will keep you posted on that.

Refer to my profile to sew the black quilt Suzannah made me; it was her first one at age 12 years, with no help from any adult at all.

p.s. The other style of sewing she is interested in is wedding gowns, has started designing them already.......

p.s. Yes she is receiving a sewing machine for her 16th birthday.....and NO not the Bernina 830 as requested.....

[Margo C.]

WOW Jilly! Nurture that hunger!!

[Mandella E.]

Wow Jilly, I take it back then!

I was a child who always had a sewing project on the go, but I flitted from project to project (no change even now). I guess your grandaughter doesn't need a special project, just a regular quilt. Nice to know our craft is in safe hands for the future.

[Betty J.]

I really think this is a great idea, but I would hope that it would not be focused just around girls. I think boys might find it also of interest. I also think that it should be a project that starts easy and progresses to moderately more difficult and one might want to incorporate computer technologies, such as photo printing on fabric, as an option for a center block. I also think they may find a wall quilt of more interest than a pillow. Just my two cents worth--but a wonderful idea in general.

[Jill B.]

I really think this is a great idea, but I would hope that it would not be focused just around girls. I think boys might find it also of interest. I also think that it should be a project that starts easy and progresses to moderately more difficult and one might want to incorporate computer technologies, such as photo printing on fabric, as an option for a center block. I also think they may find a wall quilt of more interest than a pillow. Just my two cents worth--but a wonderful idea in general.

Hi, Thought I had better make mention that this suggestion is for both girls and boys I don’t think my original suggestion infers otherwise but just in case, my last comment is referring to anther comment in which I used my own example to explain what I meant. My son in-law does all the mending in the family as my daughter hates sewing ....he he he, and my husband knits scarves for his granddaughters while watching TV, mind you I don’t have one yet as I am at the bottom of the list......LOL LOL LOL

The ideas such as photo printing is great and thanks for that, lets face it most children in today’s world have all the computer skills you would need, and this would be so easy for them to do.

Any other suggestions....and remember nothing needs to be perfectly sewn it’s the beginning of a quilt sewing journey we are encouraging.

[Jill B.]

One of the things to consider is making sure you choose a patternstyle that the teen would want to make. Nothing too old-fashioned or they may not want to show it off to their friends. They would want the completed product to look cool.

What about something caveman style - well maybe not with curves - at least something modern looking, using bright colours.
Or perhaps something geometric - one of the patterns that varies the whole look depending on where the values are used within the block or has a secondary pattern when you join the blocks.

A mystery quilt may also suit them - perhaps keep them going out of curiosity.

Karen