Sew Many Moments

 Recently, I had the opportunity to plant a seed and pay forward something that was given to me many years ago. I had an idea to pass on some knowledge my grandmothers shared with me when I was a child. 

I'm an aunt to a number of young people. And as an aunt, I often think of the things I would tell my younger self or wish I had been taught. I had a great childhood, great parents. But it's impossible (even if we're issued a list) to remember everything a kid should know to help them get through life. And even if we succeeded in covering EVERYthing, there's the phrase "in one ear and out the other". My parents used to say that one, lol. Even a young mind doesn't retain everything you throw at it. I should know by the number of times I sometimes have to repeat myself (amiright, parents??).

kits for the kids

Many things must be learned through experience. Or Tiktok 😫). But I really like to remember little things they might need or use and share them. Maybe there'll be moments one day where my voice pops into their heads saying things like "don't use your birthday for your bankcard pin, babe".

So recently I decided to pass on a little basic I learned from my grandmothers, who were both proficient sewers. While they absolutely bought clothes, they could make their own clothes and then some. I have core memories of them giving me my first taste of piecing fabrics together to create things. Before I ever arrived in Ms. Bunce's home economics class in 7th grade, I had already had a crash course. One grandmother gave me my first sewing machine, while the other sat me down on her front porch one summer afternoon with a little scrap of fabric and showed me how to stitch fabric together inside out to make a clean, finished seam. I would later use those things to mend and make all kinds of things. My Barbies had exclusives, baby. 

One niece is six, one sixteen, but I felt they would both benefit from an intro to sewing. So I made an appointment with them for about 30 minutes one day. I arrived with some things I had prepared for the occasion. Two tiny bags of sewing necessities, including thimbles pulled from the collection of notions left to me by my grandmothers.   

The lesson was a simple one, with the aim of introducing them to the feel of handling needles and fabric. If they were able to attempt and practice a line of stitching, that would be a nice bonus.

etching names

As a constantly curious, self-proclaimed nerdy auntie, I'm never sure if they will find the things I want to share with them of any interest or use. But they did pay attention and both successfully executed a starter stitch. And that's all I asked. As a little token for their accomplishment, I gave them each the tiny bags of sewing essentials I had prepared in advance, which included thimbles I had etched their names onto. I also included tiny acorn pin-cushions I had made for them. I'd say the quick lesson was a success. They seemed to feel accomplished with what we did. What's something you have/would pass on if you had the chance? Share in the comments!

tiny pincushions