Depending on the age of the child, it may seem difficult to take on a quilting project with your child. However, there are many options that can make it very fun. Make sure you pick an age-appropriate activity for your child, and you will have the opportunity to pass on a time honored tradition.
Hand Print Quilt Project
In most cases, it is probably not best to have children operating a sewing machine. If this is your case, there are still many activities that can involve kids. You can do a hand print quilt that the child can give to grandparents for a special occasion.
For this quilt you can use prints or solids for material. You will also need fabric paint. Make sure get the high quality kind. The quilt should outlast the paint. You can then make solid block pieces for the kid to put the painted hand prints on. Alternate squares for a nice look. If your child can write her own name, you can also have them write it in various places in paint. You might also consider cute little sayings like "I love Grandma" on certain blocks.
Family Tree Quilt
Another great project for kids is a family tree quilt. You will need to find a pattern for this quilt, since it includes a large tree. You can have your son or daughter cut out all the pieces, while you work on piecing them together and sewing. Once you have the tree assembled and the quilt, it will be time to add family photos to each branch. This quilt is more of a keepsake than a daily use item.
You can probably find a kit at most craft stores to turn photos into iron-ons, or you can also use fabric glue to affix the photos to the fabric. If you will be using glue, it is probably better to laminate the photos first. This will prevent them from being scratched or harmed.
Beginner Sewn Quilt Project
As your daughter or son grows and becomes better with hand and eye coordination, it will be time to teach hand sewing. You can start with a small four square quilt for this exercise. You need four different colors or patterns of fabric, which you can use for many different patterns. Begin by sewing each square in the same way. You will want square A always in the top left, square B in the top right, and so forth. This will help to make the process easier.
Once the blocks are sewn, which may take months, let the child help arrange them to create their own pattern. You can do this on the living room floor or a bed. Next, you can reinforce all the seams and sew the top together on the machine. This will make the quilt last longer. You can even use a quilting loom, if you want to teach the art of hand quilting or this could be the perfect opportunity to begin sewing machine lessons. The biggest thing to understand is that in ten years, the quality of the work will not mean as much as the memories do, so have fun with the process.
Quilting has long been a favorite craft that yields beautiful results. Getting your child interested in quilting can help keep this fading craft alive for years to come. When it comes to quilt design, the possibilities are limitless, so you can share this project with your kids for many years to come.
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