I don't teach kids, but I do give group lessons for teens. We start the first lesson with a few basics, the basic tools of scissors, thread, tape measures, etc; getting to know the machine, learning how to regulate the speed with the foot pedal, how to sew a straight line, how to sew a curve, how to press etc. The second lesson they begin with a pattern and fabric right away. They are always eager to plunge head first into a project so I don't hold them back, I just try to rein them in a little. Kids hate quilts, the piecing is far too fiddly and some children don't have the hand eye coordination needed for successful peicing; and they hate aprons, so don't waste your time and their time on that. They love to make something small they can use and show off. They need to be successful. A small pillow is the result of lesson two as a pillow is useful for anyone who takes a nap, i.e. all teenagers! Lesson three to eight is spent working on something to wear, for girls we do a simple skirt or shorts and a simple top. For the guys class it's a pair of shorts and a hoodie. I try to keep hand sewing to a minimum, that's where the kids lose interest again. I use Kwik Sew's patterns for beginners, each Kwik Start pattern is like a sewing lesson in an envelope. We then follow the pattern step by step. This allows the kids to learn how to follow a pattern, what the instruction mean so they aren't lost when they see "cut one on fold" an instruction that is surprisingly confounding to beginners. I answer a zillion question and show them how to cut, pin, start and finish seams, etc. Using a Kwik Sew pattern allows the kids to make something successfully from the get-go, and success motivates them to try sewing again, and to try something more complex. I try to keep everyone doing the same thing at the same time so no one gets behind anyone else.
I don't worry if they are not making a perfect hem stitch or if they are not learning according to some teachers manual that was written thirty years ago, that's what made kids turn away from sewing and sucked the enjoyment out of it. My purpose is to encourage a new generation to explore their creativity through fabric and thread, to express their individuality, and to make sewing fun again. I try not to be too hands on, I want the kids to try and solve their own problems. I try not to fuss over a few crooked seams here and there, nothing is more discouraging for a kid than ripping seams. They quickly figure out on their own that neat stitching looks better, and they motivate themselves. I also try to give some freedom of choice, although fabric is selected from the store that sponsors the lessons. Kids want to be in control, but they also want guidance. You need to balance the two.
At the bottom is a link to the kwik start page, we start with 3525, whether its teens, girls, boys or adults who have never sewn before. For a second project we use 3345 or 3336, some use one of the other skirts or pants patterns. For a top the favourite choice of the teens is: 2804 for girls and the hoodie for the guys. There are some no sew pattern for younger kids, they can make something fun, learn to follow pattern instructions before they tackle a sewing machine. There are many patterns in the line that the beginners enjoy, once they know the sewing will be successful, the fun becomes choosing fabrics and for the very creative, making the piece unique.
http://www.kwiksew.com/Catalog/cat_thumbs.cfm?Cat=Learn_to_Sew&Level=KWIK_Start&QL=KwikStart