My nine 4th grade Girl Scouts made a start on these at camp this weekend. They wanted to learn to sew and they wanted to do a service project. Making pillow cases for pediatrics wards seemed like a good way to do both. Each girl is making one, though there are only 4 in this picture. They got as far as sewing on the cuff and pressing it. We used the “sausage pillowcase” method to hide that seam, and pinning three layers of fabric with edges more or less even turned out to be more challenging for them that I anticipated. They were troopers though, and kept at it. Two of the girls admitted to being “scared” when they sat down at the sewing machine, but in the end I think they ended up with the straightest seams! Using an iron was also a first for all of them, with lots of whispered comments like “Mom won’t let me do this at home!”. We’ll sew the side and bottom seams at our next meeting and they can show their work off to their parents before we donate the pillow cases.
We would have finished these at camp but the weather was so unbelievably lovely that we opted for more time outdoors and less inside. We played games to learn to use compasses, and laid trails for each other with part of supper hidden at the ends. A lot of fun. We even had time for a good long sing-a-long before bed. I may regret introducing them to “The Quartermaster Store” song when they ask to sing all 26 silly verses in a row at some point (and they will!).
Now that camp planning and packing and the actual camp are over I’m treating myself to uninterrupted quilting time. It seems like a long time since I’ve indulged properly. However the quilt shop in town finally held a freemotion quilting class last Thursday night and I came home inspired. I have a new plan for quilting the Christmas quilt and I hope I will have progress to show on that by the end of the week.
Have great week!
You are a brave soul! But the pillowcases do look great, and have such cheerful colors! ---"Love"
ReplyDeleteThose pillowcases are so cute. The girls must be so proud of themselves. The camping sounds like a blast. I always had fun at Girl Scout outings and still have fond memories of camp. And tell them not to feel too bad about being afraid of the machine - I was afraid of my mom's until she forced me to use it when I was about 20! (And I'm still a little worried I'll sew through my own finger one of these days!)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your uninterrupted quilting time and I look forward to seeing what comes of the Christmas quilt.
What a great idea, they did fabulous jobs. Take care and have a great week.
ReplyDeleteThe pillowcases were a great idea for the girls. They will all be more confident next time using the sewing machine and iron. I went on a couple of camp outs with my youngest daughter when the girls were in Junior High. What an experience. That was way different than camping with my Boy Scouts but I have fond memories of both. Sounds like you all had a wonderful time, glad you had nice weather. Now some quilty time for you, you have earned it!
ReplyDeleteIt's great that the girls are learning to sew. Hopefully, they will continue to want to sew other things. Good luck with your quilting this week. Can't wait to see it!
ReplyDeleteYour story takes me back to my own Girl Scout days. We never made it to sewing, but we certainly made my mom suffer through all the silly verses of that song and several others. Sounds like you had a great time and you are brave for trying to teach them.
ReplyDeleteOh, I just loved summertime camp! Only day camps but there was always something to make! Love the pillowcases, the fabrics are really wild. Enjoy your quilting time, you earned it!
ReplyDeleteLiri