I had a fun time this month teaching 17 girls, ages 5-10, how to sew! I held a small doll camp in our home where I taught sewing and history lessons inspired by the 1930s and the American Girl doll. It felt so good to teach again and share my talent with others! Such a blessing!
Teaching the girls a little bit of history during our snack time was one of my favorite parts of the day. I explained how families had to be very frugal during the thirties and that they would mend their clothes and use scraps of fabric when they could. Flour sacks were often used to make quilts and dresses. We saved all their fabric scraps from their dresses and skirts and the last week of class we made smaller items from them. Then they were allowed to get creative and sew whatever they wanted from the leftovers. I think that might have been their favorite part!
Some girls came in the morning before sewing camp. To get our creative juices flowing, we went on nature walks and each girl was given watercolor paper and watercolor pencils to sketch with. This was another favorite time of the day.
I am so inspired by these girls and their sewing and creative abilities. We made dresses, skirts, samplers, bunting, notebook bags, hair bows, and doll clothes together. They were all so proud of their creations. I hope I’ve encouraged creativity, patience, and confidence and that they continue to practice this lifelong skill.
Can you tell I love Brother Sewing Machines?! I highly recommend them. This model is my favorite! I learned to sew on a Brother almost 20 years ago and it still runs today. I am not a fan of Singer sewing machines unless they are the old cast iron kind which are amazing! I’ve known too many people that have issues with their new Singers. We used Pfaff in fashion school. I love those too but they are pricey.
How precious is this little seamstress in her accessories?! She was one of my most curious and eager campers! LOVE!
This Brother embroidery machine is a favorite too. So easy to use. The kids all wanted to make a million designs on it.
Little Seed Lane 
I love this post! You are so inspiring Steffy! ❤
Thank you! 🙂
I had fun running it. 🙂
How many solutions that you have set up for this camp? Do you charge for this sort of thing if so what does that look like? Do you all the girls bring your own fabric? And when you say so and camped it last week so they came every day or what?
I there! I’m sorry I missed your comment last summer. I do charge for the camp. About $10 an house. I kept it flexible so some came more than others. 🙂