Looking though some of my photos today, I stumbled on these I took of my youngest in May. She had decided it was important to sew some clothes for the tiny teddy bear we picked up at the grocery store. I couldn’t resist posting them today. (While I’m getting over my head-cold-turned-chest-cold, argh!)
That afternoon in May was the day I decided she needed a sewing machine. Her attention to detail and dedication to hand sewing everything was so fun to see. Who knew a 4 year old could sit still for so long with fabric and a needle and thread! She seems to know how a flat piece of fabric will fit on a 3-dimensional object. And, while I “drafted” the skirt and serged the raw edges to make her life simpler, the sewing was all her. And she loves it!
Hand sewing has always seemed “the slow way” to me, because of that I have always shown my kids how to use a machine, since that’s what I would do! Turns out, maybe they are showing me that the slow way is better. I did relax and enjoy doing some visible mending on my jeans recently. I’m learning (slowly) as my kids grow up and are more self sufficient, that faster is not always better – and to take it easy when you can, not to stress about the little things so much.
I do have to stress, though – that I am NOT good at not stressing. That lesson is going to take me a long, long time! We ended up making a “dress” for teddy as well, a bit later on. And the task was met with the same dedication. Now, even though she has her own machine, she will still ask me if she can hand sew some things, a good reminder for me to let go and slow down!
What do you think? Do you enjoy hand sewing, or machine sewing better?
P.S. I would highly recommend seeing the Imagination Movers in concert if you are able. They were really well put together and so personable. (Not sponsored, we just love them!)
She did so well!!
I remember hand-sewing some things with mom when we were little. They may even be hanging around here somewhere! It’s was lots of fun, and a good skill to have too! But I agree I would be much more likely to actually use a sewing machine now.
Hey, that would be really fun to find! 🙂 We should ask Mom about it!
Hand sewing was my first love because my granny taught me and although I now use the machine a lot, I still hand sew my quilt binding and even do a bit of hand quilting. I do enjoy both it depends what I am making and on my mood ;0)
True Terrie. I find it more relaxing than machine sewing.
This is so nice to see!! What a sweet girl you have, and what a lucky teddy. I still have a dolls dress I hand sewed as a child. Time to pass on the knowledge to my two littles!
Awww… thanks Elena! It’s so great that you still have things you sewed. I might have a few hand sewn Barbie clothes hanging around somewhere. I should look for them!
I hand piece and hand quilt the majority of the time, I find it so relaxing and can do it for a few odd minutes in the day or while watching tv as well as while just thinking.
Very true Gwenyth. It makes sewing portable – which I haven’t tried yet. Hmmm…. good thought!
She is so cute! It’s amazing she has the patience to (hand)sew this. If I can do anything automated in stead of by hand, I will do it automated. Not only sewing, but also – for example- the dishes (dishwasher), writing (typing as much as possible), etc… When a pattern says I have to hand sew a part, I always ask myself if it’s realy impossible to use the sewing machine for it… 😉
So true Mirjam! Automated is my go-to as well – the more automation the better!
What a gorgeous little skirt, she did so well! I love to sew slowly myself, when the mood takes me, and love seeing my girls have a go at sewing ‘like mummy’.
Thanks so much Eluned! I’ll let her know for sure 🙂 I’m learning to love slow sewing too… it’s growing on me for sure!