Incorporating quilting into the various 6th grade classes in one school has resulted in the students actually producing quilts for needy babies. This started out as a project for AIDs babies, but now has grown to involve any needy babies in hospitals in the area.

The project involves social studies, math, language arts and reading. It culminates with students forming groups of 2 or 3 to design (determining size and pattern of blocks) a quilt and cut out the blocks. They then mark seam allowance lines.

The teachers bring in sewing machines and stitch together the students’ squares. In preparation for “Quilt Day,” they try to have as much of the fronts together as possible.
On “Quilt Day,” generally one or two Saturdays, volunteer parents, grandparents, and other teachers help attach the fronts, backs, and batting. Then students help tie the quilts.

For several weeks, until the quilts are distributed to the designated hospital, they are hung and displayed in the school library.

Do your schools or youth groups become involved in quilt projects?

©2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Quilting Across the Curriculum with Quilts for Needy Babies

Quiltmaking and it’s history lends itself in many ways to the classroom, whether simply in one class or across the curriculum.  Some of the classes include:  math, social studies, reading, art and music

 I’ve taught about quilts and quilt history in several schools by:

 *Introducing quiltmaking to a 6th grade social studies class that was studying colonial times in America. This was a morning workshop, and the teacher followed up on the projects I started.

*Reading stories about quilts and quiltmaking in 4th grade reading and literature when I do substitute teaching.

*Designing and overseeing the making of a quilt with third and eighth graders.  The quilt depicted the town history.   My daughter, Beth, and I visited the school five times, working with the teachers and students during different steps in the process.

Beth  designed the quilt incorporating various historic sites around the town. The students made 4-patch and 9-patch blocks surrounding the picture blocks. Several students added embellishments. The teachers incorporated the quiltmaking into art, math, reading, and social studies classes.

How have you used quiltmaking and quilt history in homeschooling? 

Have your children done anything connected with quilts at school?

(c) 2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Quilting in the Classroom