I think I’ve discovered a perfect project for someone who is learning to sew.

My friend, Diane, had a birthday last week.  Diane is my co-mom.  When our big kids were 3, and we were pregnant with the little kids, we had this grand idea.  We decided that if we both worked half time, opposite schedules, that we could take care of each other’s kids, save a bundle in child care, and choose any preschool we’d like for our kids to attend.  So, we bought new cars that could handle 4 kids, traded in our sanity, and raised our kids together (with the help of my mom when I went back to work full time).  I’m lucky enough to have lots of family close by.  We have many aunts, uncles, and grandmas who have always been like additional sets of parents to my kids, but Diane and her family get “honorary family status” around here.

Anyway… Diane’s birthday was last week and my daughter wanted to make something for her.   She has a new sewing machine and I thought this would be a great way for her to get to know her machine.  We have a stack of flour sack towels in the sewing cupboard, and I have every color of thread in the rainbow, so we didn’t even need to purchase supplies.  She chose her stitch, threaded the machine, and got to work.

There are a few things I really love about this project:

1.  You have to thread the machine 6 times.  Threading the machine can seem like a daunting task when you are unfamiliar with your machine, it’s new, or you haven’t used it in years.  This project gives lots of practice in a very short amount of time.

2.  It may sound crazy, but sewing a straight line IS NOT always easy!  The most common sewing question I’m asked is, “Do you have any tips for sewing a straight line?”  It takes practice and you need to know where to look as you are sewing. (Looking at the needle is not the way to go. You need to watch your presser foot or an outside guide that you have set up.)  You can see that my daughter’s lines are not always perfectly straight.  (Friends, Diane doesn’t mind.  As my daughter was sewing, and noticed that she was off a bit, she said, “It’s ok, Diane will like anything I make for her.”)

3.  The number one reason this is a great beginner project is that it is really cute and practical!  Who doesn’t want a rainbow dish towel in their kitchen?

I buy my floursack towels in a 5-pack at Target and keep them on hand for quick sewing and embroidery projects.  If you are learning to sew, this a great place to start.  Play with your stitches too!  My daughter’s machine has 60 different stitches.  Her next dish towel could take on a whole new look!

Happy sewing!