Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Welcome! It's All About the Kids


 

Many years ago, it was a common practice to teach children crafts.  Of course during those days  many of the things children learned were not considered crafts.  They were necessary tools that were functional and kept a family warm.

But as we have become a society of less time and more resources, children are not usually taught some of the basic skills that our forefathers (and mothers) needed to learn to survive.  Truthfully, because I was a latch key kid, my mother never had the time to teach me many of the things she had learned herself.  I learned to sew in Home Ec in High School.  I learned how to cook after I got married.  And I learned how to quilt because it was a new hobby that caught my interest.  I've always loved to put puzzles together, and quilting brought together the math and the beauty of color.

In a recent blog post, I shared with you how I had taught my friend to quilt, and she in turn taught one of her friends.  In the same respect, teaching kids to do something you love, is a way of passing on to the next generation a love that will hopefully be carried on yet again.

Several years ago I met with my daughter and her friend as they wanted to learn how to make quilts. The reason they wanted to make quilts was because they had a desire to help with a cause.

They saw a need and thought the best way they could help was to design and stitch a quilt for every fallen soldier during the beginning days of the war in Afghanistan.  It was a monumental undertaking. Especially for two young girls.
 
My daughters friend and her mother took the reigns of this project for several years.  Their effort touched the families of hundreds of fallen soldiers.  Operation HomeFront Quilts was eventually passed on to military wives but the effort and beginning was started by the stirrings of two young girls who wanted to do their part.

So whatever it is you love, you can share it with a child or young person. It can become the catalyst of something that goes on far beyond our little world. Let's keep passing it on.

Did someone mention a giveaway!


Fat Quarter Shop is one of the generous sponsors of It's All About the Kids.  As a jump start to stir your interest in helping to pass it on, FQS is offering a $25 Gift Certificate during this fun blog hop.  All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post.  I will leave the giveaway open until Saturday November 1st.  Please be sure that I have a way to contact you.

You can find an easy quilt pattern to start with at Cluck, Cluck, Sew.  I love Allison's patterns and have made several in the past.

I'm happy to join SewCalGal for It's All About the Kids.  Please be sure to stop by SewCalGal everyday and find out what other fun ideas are being shared.


89 comments:

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

well I guess I am early in the draw - wonderful work that your daughter and friend started!

Gene Black said...

I learned to sew in the "boys version of Home Ec" which was called Family Life my Senior year. It seemed quite natural for me to buy a machine and keep sewing after I graduated.
One Grandmother taught me to bake cakes. And since I can follow directions (if I have to do so) I taught myself to cook from recipes. Some of my early notes in recipe books are hilarious today. "Cook longer or ELSE!!!" is written by one chocolate fudge recipe. I remember that it stayed so soft we had to eat it with spoons.

Scrappy quilter said...

I learnt to sew after I got married and then passed it on to our youngest daughter who now has a passion for it. My quilts are now going to girls overseas who have been rescued from the sex trade. My daughter makes many things and now has started designing clothes. She is only 24 however she now has a life skill to pass on to others. Loved hearing this story. Such a great cause.

mumbird3 said...

Love your ideas about promoting crafts with kids - I spent many happy hours glueing away when I was little (and back then it was flour and water paste not the neat glues they have today!!) Love the fabric at the Fat Quarter Shop
mumbird3atgmail.com

Unknown said...

I taught my granddaughter to sew by letting her watch me when she was just a toddler. She sat in my lap and learned to guide the fabric before she was 3 yrs old. She made her 1st quilt when she was in kindergarten. Now she is super involved with ballet. Thank you for the giveaway chance! (celiaambrose@hotmail.com)

Mara said...

Very cool about Operation Homefront Quilts, your daughter sounds like an entrepreneur. I was also a latch key kid and normally had to cook for myself also, one time I wanted to make a carrot cake so I used a vanilla cake box and grated long strings of carrots into it, it was the grossest thing ever, cause I also thought it was lacking color and added chocolate chips, haha!

Anonymous said...

HELLO,Thanks for your neat Blog! Yes, we had Home Ec.in HS too+I so enjoyed it;making my first skirt.Thanks for sharing a giveaway too!

msstitcher1214@gmail.com

Paula Lemos said...

Such a moving and beautiful story! I want to teach my daughter how to quilt but so far she shows no interest at all..
Thanks for the chance!
ap_lemos at yahoo dot com

Donna said...

This is wonderful, I have spent time teaching kids to quilt and they loved learning how to use the sewing machine and oh how they loved their quilts when it was done.
Thanks for the giveaway.

Barb said...

What a wonderful story and I am sure the families were very touched by their work as well....

Lisa England said...

What a wonderful thing for young girls to do! With many young mothers getting into sewing now, maybe their children will learn from them.

Quilting Tangent said...

Wonderful to teach the young skills the can use. 24Tangent@gmail.com

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

What wonderful girls they must be!

Dita Bybee said...

wow, such wonderful girls to have come up with that idea.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

My mother taught me my love of sewing and a friends mother was always quilting and I couldn't wait to try it on my own.

Lee said...

I learned to sew from my mom and great grandmother who lived with us. I love Allisons patterns ! thank you for the lovely giveaway!

Louise said...

I'm touched by your daughter's commitment to be of help. Please pass along my thanks for her dedication and hard work!

Jan said...

I'm amazed at what the girls started. What a legacy. Thanks for the kind giveaway.

Sherry VF said...

It's great how these girls contributed to such a special need. svonfumetti at yahoo dot com

OhioLori said...

What Special Heart's the girls have!! Wowie! Grrrreat job!

I am teaching my Grangirlie to sew this year...would love to win & shop FQS with her, then help her make a cool quilt for her room! :)

Kathy E. said...

I am learning to quilt myself. I know no one personally that quilts, so I've taken it on as a challenge to learn, reading books, watching videos and recently I joined a BOM. Just today I finished the first block and I'm so proud of myself! I'd love to win more fabric!

IHaveANotion ~ Kelly Jackson said...

Wow, what an undertaking and a wonderful way to provide comfort to others. I loved reading your story today.

I think kids can teach us a thing or two about being creative...mine think of things I'd never think of.

Smiles,
Kelly

Unknown said...

Great project! I hope to share my creative endeavors with my kids.

Unknown said...

What a great story and great girls :)

Jessica said...

I didn't have anyone to teach me to sew. I had a week in school where they attempted to teach us. That was not enough time! I have had to teach myself. I hope to pass the skill along to my son and daughter.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the chance! nnonaihr@hotmail.co.uk

juliehallfeldhaus said...

Who doesn't need more fabric!!! Thanks for the chance to win:)

Unknown said...

That's absolutely amazing what your daughter started and accomplished. I'd be so proud of her if she were mine. I hope I can pass on my love of sewing to my daughters as well.

Sallie said...

So excited that my DD is learning to quilt and has asked for my help.

dortha said...

Your story is sorta like Paul Harvey's 'and now you know the rest of the story'. I hope your daughter is still sewing.

Peggy said...

I taught myself to sew when I was married many years ago - I still sew and cross stitch for World of Charity Stitching.
Thanks,
Peggy
Peggy_verdongibbs@att.net

Veronika said...

Wow I love your story! I can't wait to teach my little girl all about quilting- I am just beginning and it is so hard and learning is coming slowly I can't imagine putting so much work into something to giveaway just yet- it just makes me admire your daughter and her friend more.

auschick said...

I plan to teach both my son and daughter how to sew!

Jezibels said...

Crafts are a lost art form, I'm glad there are parents teaching crafts and have an art space in their homes for their children. Art is not a class in some schools, neither is gardening which I believe should be taught at grade school and high school levels. Kudos to you for showing them the way!

Beth said...

Great story about your daughter and her friend. Thank you for reminding me that a Quilt of Valor is on my list, and needs to be closer to the top.

ThreadCatcher said...

What a wonderful and inspiring story of what two young girls could accomplish with determination and a desire to help. Thanks for sharing.

Jo said...

What a beautiful post. I am at the moment teaching my DIL to sew and quilt.

Michele T said...

I was always crafty and remember as a child making things with my mom or on my own for the annual chrpurch bazaar!! I have carried that forward with my children too!

Pamela said...

What a thoughtful post! I am teaching my adult niece and my four-year-old granddaughter to sew. I hope they enjoy this throughout their lives like I do. Thanks for the links. I will be exploring them. And thanks for your inspiring blog too.

KatieQ said...

When my daughter was in the 8th grad she earned her GS Silver Award by organizing the troops in our area to make quilts for Project Linus and arranged to have the quilts exhibited in our local public library.
The girls really got into in and the results were amazing.

tpott said...

I grew up with my mother and grandmother's all sewing our clothes and their own clothes. They had sewing rooms, I loved to be in with them playing in the button box. I'm 49, I had Home Ec and hated it. The teacher wasted so much fabric. I taught myself to quilt 24 yrs ago and I still can't get enough. I've made more baby quilts than I can count. I love it!!! Funny, I was the tom boy nobody in my family ever expected to enjoy sewing and the only grandchild who sews. ;->

bj said...

My mom could sew anything in the world. She tried to teach me but I wasn't interested THEN...now that I am an olden lady, I wish I had taken her sweet instructions to heart.

cakegirl said...

Almost everyone sewed when I was growing up. I can remember learning in Girl Scouts. I find hand sewing so relaxing. Thanks for a great giveaway.

Janie said...

I am very impressed by what these girls set out to do. Great job! Thanks for the giveaway.

janie.mccombs@yahoo.com

Allie said...

Wow. Just - wow. Look at what one or two people can do - that really humbles me, Jocelyn, and throws all my excuses out the window. Truly amazing. I'm a self-taught quilter - nobody in my family did that - although my mom did teach me [sort of] to knit and crochet. Let's see....who can I teach? I'm going to have to look around!

kc said...

I also learned to sew & "cook" in Home Ec, and to the best of my knowledge, I was the first, and so far, pretty much the ONLY one in the family to do anything the least bit crafty. Seems everyone else can do math. I'm betting I have more fun them all, put together!

It's amazing what 2 little girls can do and how far they can take an idea! Good for them!!

Kathy Davis said...

I am sure you are proud of your daughter. I try to give back with my quilts by giving them to various charities as fundraisers.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Kathy Davis
kdavis1@centurytel.net

GranChris said...

Someone on the radio the other day didn't want to buy her daughter a sewing machine. I though how awful. When a bunch of us got done telling her the wonders of sewing and quilting I'm sure her daughter will get a machine. I wonder about the next generation but maybe I need to wonder about their parent's. Great story, thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Such a lovely item on your blog -It's All About the Kids. I recently began to lament the fact that children are not taught basic skills in craftsmanship anymore. I have been teaching my 9 year granddaughter to sew over the last couple of years but I don't see her often enough to make a lot of progress and she is amazingly involved in many clubs and sports. However, she wants to learn to sew and has made several small things. I regularly make quilts for babies and children at my local womens shelter and Tess wants to make one too and she is working on sewing blocks together whenever she can. I hope to give her a sewing machine for Christmas. Your daughter and friend have done a wonderful thing in establishing a quilts for soldiers organisation. Bless them.
Pauline

perry94022 at hotmail dot com

margaret said...

what a remarkable thing your daughter has done, you must be so proud of her. Looking back to when I was a child one of the first things I learnt was crochet from Granny and a very old lady taught my sister and me how to knot dishcloths, I think I fell in love with stitchery way back then.

Unknown said...

OOOps! I forgot to leave my google ID on the post I left earlier - it is paulineannperry70 at google dot com although if you want to contact me please use perry94022 at hotmail dot com
thanks
Pauline

Lorna said...

What caring teens they were! Wow!

Marly said...

Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. There is a saying "Great oaks from little acorns grow"; your daughter and friend made the small start that grew into a great project involving so many donors and recipients. Great work from you all.

Mary said...

I am very fortunate to get to spend quite a bit of time with my granddaughters, ages 2 and 4. One of their favorite things to do at "Grammy's" is sew with me. They love playing with fabric.

Margaret said...

My 10year old grand daughter is learning to make a quilt. She is loving to use the sewing machine.

Rachel said...

Those are great beginnings! My mother taught me to quilt in high school. Her stash then supported us teaching all of my friends. :) I believe at least one still quilts today! She was great; loved to iron for anyone and got that sewing machine going so fast it was like a semi truck driving through the dining room. lol! We had a great time!

Cheryl @ Simply Shoeboxes said...

Wow! What a goal and inspiration! Such a worthy cause to sew for...I just love our military personnel.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

What a wonderful goal and beginnings.

juliehallfeldhaus said...

Thanks for all you do and the chance to win fabric!!

amy said...

What a wonderful thing to do-you must be so proud.

Rachel @ The Philosophers Wife said...

I'd love to win this giveaway! I love sharing my crafty side with my daughter, and I'm thrilled that at 4 she has fun with me!

Anonymous said...

Love helping out...I make baby flannel rag quilts for our local highway patrol officers and tow truck drivers to carry in the winter when there are so many breakdowns and accidents on the highway. Every little bit helps.

MamaLovesFabric said...

Love the post and giveaway. Hoping to teach my daughter to sew soon. <3

Brenda said...

I encourage my grandkids to use their imagination in all the ways possible! my granddaughters have a "can you help me make" list every time I go to visit them!
hulseybg at gmail dot com

andri. said...

Their quilts must have touched lots of hearts. That's wonderful :)

Diann said...

Wonderful project started by your daughters. Young people can be so caring.

Hayley said...

It is lovely to help build skills - a gift that keeps giving

Kathleen said...

I applaud the girls' efforts for Operation HomeFront Quilts. A wonderful way to keep busy and do good. And thanks for the chance to win!

Sarah said...

Very nice story. Thank you for the giveaway!

Kristy said...

Oh how fun! I love watching kids learn to sew! It's inspiring to me to see them really get into and be proud of their project....and have fun making it too! :)

Diane Beavers said...

Wow what a way to keep the Art of Quilting alive and thriving!
I'm so impressed w/kids learning to sew and quilt. I've taught many and their talents always amaze me. Thank you so much for touching the lives of our military families.

Bethany said...

Lovely story! Thank you for sharing!

Cindy said...

Wonderful story. Kids are awesome, they had no idea of the immensity of the task that they were undertaking, and bless you and the other girls mother for supporting them and not telling them it was too difficult an undertaking. Thanks from all of us. cdahlgren at live dot com

Carrie P. said...

I hope to pass on the love of quilting to my grandson one day. Right now he watches me while I sew and he sits in his high chair playing with toys.

Emily said...

My mom had me take quilting lessons from an older lady at church when I was 9 or 10. I think it's so important to pass these uncommon crafts on to the next generations!

andsewon said...

That is so special what those two young ladies begin! We never know what we will inspire when we share our God given talents. i hope to pass on the sewing gene as my niece calls it to a couple young gals in our family!
hugs,
Lola

tktl said...

I'm excited that our sons are old enough now to be part of sewing, a bit at a time. They both made themselves pockets recently.

t_ktl@yahoo.com

teachpany said...

I'm always sharing quilting with others, and hope to have my nephew finish his quilt next week. I always have supplies around when I know kids are coming! This is a great hop. Thanks.

Ella and Nesta said...

What a great story. It teaches to believe in our children and their positive energy!

Allison C said...

I learned all my crafty hobbies from my mom and I am so greatful to have my mental therapy outlets. I'm assuming that's why she was doing those hobbies too.

Kristal said...

I was lucky enough to have a mother and great-grandmother who taught me some basic craft skills. I, in turn, taught my daughter and she has now gone far beyond me in certain areas. It's very fun to see!

Jeneta said...

Oh that is such a wonderful story! I love that children led the way in what became Operation Home Front Quilts.

Josie McRazie said...

I treasure those days of working with mom! Oh how I miss them!

Emily C said...

My mother passed her creation skills on to me when I was very small. She understood I needed something to keep my hands busy, when no one else did. I started with small embroidery projects and moved up through beading, crochet and knitting to quilting.

Annmarie said...

Thanks for the great story. I've taught several young people to sew - such a great gift even though it doesn't seem so at the time!

Jane said...

Thanks for sharing your story. And thanks for the giveaway! A woman I know from church has expressed interest in learning to quilt and I'll be happy to share what I know.

carol said...

I need to pass it on. I have struggled learning to craft and learned on my own. I haven't even thought of passing in on. Now is the itme.

SeeAmySew said...

Just recently started teaching my 10 yr old Granddaughter how to quilt. Started with the basics, and she is almost finished sashing it and getting ready to learn tying. Plus today is my Birthday!! Would love to win!!

Suze said...

What a great undertaking for two young ladies. It shows that not all the young people think of themselves only. Thanks for a great story to go with a great giveaway. Giving and more giving.