kgutty67

My 12 yo daughter had the best day, and I'd love to share it.

I'm an avid patchworker/quilter, and I've never 'expected' any of my
daughters to follow. However, Beth repeatedly asked me this week
(and earlier) if she could look at my books and choose some
materials from my many suitcases of scraps. So we talked about
colour schemes, material qualities, how certain materials are made
which affects their properties. Just this part opened up a wealth
of discussion.

Then she decided what pattern block she'd like to assemble. With
that came drawing up the templates. There was equalateral
triangles, fitting all the pieces together, a discussion of angles,
seam allowances and playing with measurements in all their wonderful
applications.

And nothing was contrived. I didn't set out to teach her anything,
I just answered the questions she had and was there to help her work
out any problems that came up.

At the end of the afternoon she had created a most beautiful
patchwork block, and is looking forward to creating some more.

This kind of day encourages me so much. I would love to also tell
soon about my 10 yo sons recently aquired love of model building.

Unschooling is great!

Kerryn

Sally Brooks

--- In [email protected], "kgutty67"
<kgutty67@...> wrote:
>
> My 12 yo daughter had the best day, and I'd love to share it.
>
> I'm an avid patchworker/quilter, and I've never 'expected' any of
my
> daughters to follow. However, Beth repeatedly asked me this week
> (and earlier) if she could look at my books and choose some
> materials from my many suitcases of scraps. So we talked about
> colour schemes, material qualities, how certain materials are made
> which affects their properties. Just this part opened up a wealth
> of discussion.
>
> Then she decided what pattern block she'd like to assemble. With
> that came drawing up the templates. There was equalateral
> triangles, fitting all the pieces together, a discussion of angles,
> seam allowances and playing with measurements in all their
wonderful
> applications.
>
> And nothing was contrived. I didn't set out to teach her anything,
> I just answered the questions she had and was there to help her
work
> out any problems that came up.
>
> At the end of the afternoon she had created a most beautiful
> patchwork block, and is looking forward to creating some more.
>
> This kind of day encourages me so much. I would love to also tell
> soon about my 10 yo sons recently aquired love of model building.
>
> Unschooling is great!
>
> Kerryn
>
Kerryn,

Isn't it great to be sharing this love with your dd? My dd chose to
dive in with me at about the same time I began persuing my interest
in quilting. She was 10yo, I was 38yo. Since then, she has created
very interesting patterns/pillows/quilts/creations. Currently, she
is meandering through a quilt pattern dictionary we picked up from
the library. She is interested in entering the quilt block contest
our local Wal-Marts are hosting. Lots of mathy talk going on here in
trying to get the pattern she chose to the 12.5 inch requirement
needed for the contest!

BTW, I've already chose my pattern and am half way done with it! I
chose the Cathedral window.

Thanks for posting! Please feel free to email me personally if you
would like to continue this conversation!