Jahn Learns to Sew!

While Jahn's pop was busy building the deck, there was some free time for Jahn and me. I was sewing and asked Jahn if he wanted to learn to sew - and he said "YES" - so we started. First was practice on the Featherweight with paper and unthreaded needled. That went super well - and then on to practicing on some fabric with thread in the needle - again - super!!! That Jahn really does learn fast.


He knew exactly what he wanted to make. He has a favorite computer game called Mine Crafter - you fly about and dig up treasures to advance - and he wanted to make the logo as his quilt block. So he got busy designing the block.

Next came cutting templates - since it was not a simple design. I asked if he wanted to start with something a little easier but he really wanted to make this block. His goal was to make a pillow with the Mine Crafter logo on it.

I was so excited about teaching him to sew that I didn't think to get out the camera until after he had done his practice on paper, and had sewn together the three pieces for the logo. It resembles Tumbling Blocks, and he dealt with the Y seam (inset seam) like a pro. I gave a little advice, and he zipped it right up.





Next came topstitching - I know - things we don't learn until we are a bit more accomplished - but he wanted to try it.


And top stitch he did - like he'd been doing it all his life. On the very edge - straight and true - I couldn't have done it better myself.




Sewing the back and front of the pillow together - again - the 1/4 seams were perfect.

Then he decided that he wanted to embroider the words - Mine Crafter Fanatic - on the pillow - so a quick lesson in embroidery and he was off. He wrote the words in chalk pencil and embroidered them in turquoise - his lucky color.

An embroidery hoop helped . . .

Some stuffing and we have the makings for a good pillow.

Hand stitching the opening on the pillow. Can you believe he had never sewn before?

A very successful pillow . . .

Next he decided that he wanted to make a purse for his friend Nina. Nothing like jumping right in. So he picked fabric and with some instructions from Grandma he had that purse whipped up in no time.

A button for the closure . . .

Concentrating on that button . . .

And then he wanted to embroider Nina's name on the purse. His own design and great embroidery work.

All done - and posing for a silly photo!!

I am so proud of Jahn's work. Next we started a quilt - but didn't get much done on it before it was time for dinner and then they all went home. Jahn designed the quilt (again from Mine Crafters - but not with inset seams). We got the squares cut and the first two rows sewn - so this will have to wait for another time.