Could something as simple as quiltmaking be valuable to today's youth? The answer is a resounding YES! Many lessons can be learned through the understanding, planning and the construction of a quilt.
The skills required to make a quilt are broad and valuable. For those who might be apprehensive about math, quilting provides an excellent opportunity to learn the basics of geometry. Basic design elements also come into play. The combinations of color and good design are very important in quilting. The elements of textiles can be discussed to help young people be more discerning.
Quilting is and always has been a very social activity. From the quilting bees of the past to the mini groups of today, quilters learn to work together in a cooperative spirit. Students will be faced with understanding differences among their peers through the creating of quilts.
Where do you start? Keep any quilt project simple. A small wall hanging is fun and easy to accomplish. If quilting is not in your vocabulary, ask your students if they have a parent or friend who quilts. The statistics report that 1 of 15 households has a dedicated quilter.
No one is ever too young or old to quilt. It's simply a matter of opening the door to a fascinating process that is taking over the world by storm.
Alex Anderson is the host of Simply Quilts on the Home and Garden Television network and is the author of Kids Start Quilting with Alex Anderson, available February 2002 ($14.95, C&T Publishing, 800/284-1114, www.ctpub.com).
Copyright American Society of Educators Nov/Dec 2001
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved
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