BeckyB--Thankyou, that's very helpful! My kids start doing their laundry completely on their own at 13. Before that they help separate and start the loads, and fold their own clothes. So, I could count that as well! Hunychikn--I am so visual that I have a hard time putting things together without seeing them! For the placemats, how do you sew up the edges? Many of my placemats have the ribbing around the edge, but I think that may be too hard to do.
Hi Deena.... I am so sorry it has taken me this long to post back! You could easily make the placemats using the same instructions as you would a quilt. Using binding and trim would be a tad bit difficult for you to do right off, or for your children. It's quite easy to piece together the front and back sides, if you are planning on doing a reversible type style, and then lay both sides (right side/side going to be on the outside) together(facing each other). Sew around in a block/rectangle and leave a small space in which to flip the placemat right side out. This will leave you with a small opening in which to close. If you run an iron over it before closing completely, this will help the material to lay on itself easily and you won't be able to tell where you stopped. You can either close by machine sewing or hand sewing. This is a good method to use, and can be used in quilts or pillows...placemats...just about anything that is the same measurements that you don't want to or don't need to mess with binding. I just wanted to be sure that I gave you a couple of other tips. If you iron your fabric before you measure and cut and then once all of your pieces are assembled, this helps the item to not be lumpy looking. If you try and keep all of the seams the same size, and then when your item is sewn together, by ironing it out, and keeping the seams ironed, it just gives it a little more of a finished look. Another thing I would pay special attention to would be when you first start sewing your line, whether in assembling smaller pieces together or sewing together...make sure you backstitch. By doing this, you are giving the line a lock stitch...and it won't come unravelled with either use or washing. So, I always start by going forward, and most machines have reverse on them, just back up about ten or so stitches and go forward once more. Then when you come to the end of your line, repeat...this helps keep things where they need to be! I hope this isn't super confusing for you!! Again, I am so very sorry about not getting back to you quicker, we've been super-busy!!! :love:
Well, I have no words of wisdom. I just call it home ec when I get a cookie craving and have my dd make cookies. Or when I get lazy and have her make pancakes or chewy bars or something. lol.
That's what I usually do too, and I can still do that with my dd. But since ds is in 9th grade, I want to have it be a little more major work that he does!
His First "SHOP" (Home Repair) Project! Here he is starting his first project. We had 5 loose tiles in our hallway (it was tiled when we got this house---I never would put tile down in a main hallway!), so he measured the size of the tiles, took pictures to show the people at Home Depot, talked with the guy there and asked him questions, had the guy explain stuff to him (the guy was GREAT!), then we came home and he started the project. First he had to scrape away the old dried up goop from the back of the tiles and on the floor......
Then...... He needed to carefully place the tiles back in.... He DID it! I was so proud of him---this is his first time to take on a home repair project on his own, and he did a great job! We didn't tell dh, so when dh got home he was surprised! He congratulated ds on a job well-done---which was VERY good for ds to hear! So, we're happy!
CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP WHOO HOOO!!!!! great job! I am really impressed as I have watched as my dh did such a job! You really do have to slide it in just so and make sure you put the right amount of adhesive stuff on it and clean up and all that! Can we see a finished product?
Thanks TMom and Sommer! Okay, here's one of him wiping around the edges after putting the last tile in. I know it's not the greatest shot....I'll get one of the floor if you want. It's not perfect, but it's REALLY good! So that's good enough for me, because he worked hard and did his best! :love:
Thanks Gmom! Well, see, we didn't know any better! We thought, huh, how hard could it be? Sort of, but manageable! So, we started it, and he did it! Sometimes it's better to go in with your eyes closed, otherwise you'd never get some stuff done! :lol:
Oh no problem! I just appreciate that you're willing to help! Hmmm, okay. I'm not understanding ---is there something in the middle of the two sides being sewn together? Cuz otherwise it seems like it would be wimpy and get all stretched out when it's washed. Do you know what I'm saying? I know there's some kind of material that you can put in to make it stiffer. Would we do that? Aaaahhhh, I need PICTURES! I need to SEE things to get the whole picture. I've actually sewed some things before (after my dh threaded my machine for me! ), but they were wall hangings, and the edges were frayed or unfinished---that was the look they were supposed to have. And I did the backstitching to close the end of my stitches off. But I'm not too familiar with this kind of thing. Here's what's happened so far: He did the hallway tiles---one down for SHOP! He picked out a Christmas stocking that has hand-sewing, different stitches, beading, and some embroidery. I may need someone's help getting through that, and actually finishing it. But it does a variety of things all in one activity, so I thought it was good. Then he'll learn to sew on buttons, and make maybe 5 or 6 placemats. That'll be Home Ec. Then he and dh will do something together. Maybe sanding and fixing the deck. I think it's enough for Home Ec! Do you think that's enough for SHOP? Any thoughts or ideas? Thanks so much for all your help and encouragement! You guys are GREAT! :love:
Deena really awesome job! And since I have looked at it so much and am seeking a tile for my family room.. what kind is that? is it like shiny or matt finished looking in real life (as aposed to photo)? I want something that will wear well but be easy to clean too! dh is looking at rock type tiles not rock but like granit that kind of thing, ( I know I am sorta off topic) With your place mats, you can put something in between if you plan to double use it as a hot plate, we have somethat are quilted and have that think layer of ... oh man now I forgot what its called.. the thin white stuff, not the fluffy batting? I think like Underlay or something? We made pot holders when I was a kid all the time because it was what my grama taught me to sew hehe,
What a great job he did! I'm sure DH was surprised! Just a quickie, cuz I read Jackie's post about the zoo and saw you were going to one- child care was part of our home ec too. If you can find a place for DS to take an infant CPR course- even better! (Here the fire dept has them twice a year, or one of the churches gets enough members together and the fire dept comes to them.) So you may be able to "log" the hours he helps with the other kids and count that! Just a thought... otherwise, I think you are pretty set for the year in both shop and home ec. MT3
TMom, the tile is shiny. It's worn very well, except for coming loose. I noticed they had some nice tile like it at Home Depot when we went. I didn't notice the price though. Not sure how cheap it is. MT3, Great idea! I should look into that. Do they take 10-yo's as well? I'll have to ask if I get through to someone! Thanks guys, ds IS proud of doing that job and getting it done! I think it's a good boost for him--"Hey, I CAN do stuff like this!" I think that helps them slow down on their I dunno's (Can you do this? I dunno! Will you do that? I dunno! etc.), because they feel more confident! Hey, I'm liking the results of doing home ec and shop! Wish I would've done this with my oldest!
