How to Quilt With Children

Quilting is an old process that has been around for a number of years. There have been a number of beautiful articles quilted over the years, and passing that knowledge down to a new generation of kids is a good way to keep the unique art form alive and well.

Directions:

1. Find a pattern the child will enjoy working with. There are a number of patterns that are more child-friendly. It is good to involve your child in the process of picking out a pattern, because they will feel more invested in the process.


2. After you purchase the fabric, let your child help gather it together and put it out to work on finding a color pattern.


3. When working on the fabric pieces, let children make their own personalized designs within the fabric pieces. This can be done with iron-on crayons or fabric pens. If you do, provide sufficient time for the fabric to dry.


4. Organize the fabric squares together and pin with safety pins to keep the design elements together. Make sure the squares are pinned together in twos with half-inch seams.


5. Help children thread the needle to get started without any frustration, and show how to patch squares together with a running stitch.


6. Position the squares you paired off earlier so they can all be seen. Create a group of squares in fours using the safety pins to keep them together, and make sure the undersides are facing each other. Use this process and connect the squares together until you have worked out the pattern for the quilt's top.


7. Set up the other side of the quilt now with the undersides of the quilt squares facing you. Prepare batting so it is the overall size needed for quilt dimensions, but allow an additional four inches around the circumference to allow the seams and hems you will need. Prepare the batting on top of the back side of the squares of fabric and attach the squares over the batting.


8. Keep the quit together and secure by attaching the pieces in place now with safety pins. Make sure there are sufficient safety pins to keep the fabric together in the pattern, including the sides.


9. Help your child with the needle, but allow them to quilt the layers created together using the needle and thread. Tie these loops of fabric together to keep them secure.


10. Create a hem for the exterior by folding the exterior edges. Use a safety pin to keep in place until the child has stitched the area completely with the needle and thread, so hems are properly in place and the quit has been completed.