Sometimes a single image can have a transformative effect on your life. At least it can on mine.
My older daughters are now 7 and 9-years-old. They are aware of what I do, that I sew and write books and write a blog. They come into the studio while I’m working and ask, “Can I make something?”
And you know what? I almost always say, “No. Mommy’s working. Don’t touch that pile of fabric. Stop taking pins out of the pincushion. Be careful near the iron. Can you please leave my room!”
I don’t want to push the out, but it’s true that they shouldn’t mix up my fabric and that they need to be careful in my studio. It’s true, but it doesn’t feel good.
I got a new book as a birthday gift a few weeks ago. My sister bought it for me after perusing my lengthy Amazon wishlist. She made a good choice. The book is Sewing School 2: Lessons in Machine Sewing by Andria Lisle and Amie Petronis Plumle.
We have the first book, Sewing School: Hand Sewing Projects Kids Will Love. I reviewed it here and we’ve sewn several projects from it together. I was excited to see that the authors had come out with a follow-up book to teach kids to sew on the machine.
When I opened it I turned to page 7, “An Introduction for Adults,” and was struck by this picture.
I sat and looked at it for a very long time. I began to realize that I’d been pushing the kids out of my studio because there was no place for them. Even though I knew they could handle sewing, I wouldn’t allow them access to it because it was my work and I was afraid they’d mess it up.
I had a sewing machine in my room when I was a child (well, I got it at age 13, but I was still a child) and I remember experimenting with it, making scrunchies and hair bows and oddly misshapen things. I was totally engrossed with this machine that could make real stuff, stuff you could wear or use or play with. And looking at this picture made me remember that feeling of making things. It suddenly became clear to me that I needed to change things.
A few nights later I cleared out a corner of my sewing space. I ordered a Janome Mini, the machine recommended in the book. We found an old typewriter table at the dump and brought it home for the machine to sit on. I got the old school chair that had been in the basement and dragged it upstairs. We went to Joann’s and I bought the kids each a pair of the scissors recommended in the book, Fiskar’s Juniors. I went through my fabric and set aside some pieces to build their stash.
See our new dual sewing space! I love it!
This weekend I taught them to wind a bobbin and thread the machine. They practiced. They got frustratrated. They practiced some more.
And now they can sew.
Not only that, they can design stuff. Simon is 7-years-old. He started with a stitch sampler and then added some details in marker to turn it into this wonderful piece on the left.
Later, he went upstairs by herself and made the simple little bag.
Roxanne is 9-years-old. She’s a writer. She went upstairs on her own and designed and sewed this pouch to keep her writing supplies.
These projects are loosely based on those in the Sewing School 2 for sure, but they are their own designs. The book has been tremendously inspirational for all of us.
Now that my daughters have their own space, and their own tools and supplies, they can experiment. Not everything works, but firmly believe that is how you learn to sew. And that’s how you learn that sewing is amazing. Sewing isn’t just following someone else’s instructions or feeling insecure that you don’t know the “right” way to construct something. Sewing is a creative tool you use to make your ideas real.
I love Sewing School 2 just as much as the first book. The instructions are solid and the recommended tools are just perfect. And that photo on page 7? It’s changed our lives around here.
Disclaimer: The Amazon links in this post are affiliate links.
I can’t believe how timely this is for me! My soon-to-be 22 year old daughter just asked for a sewing machine for her birthday. Can you recommend books or tutorials for her to help her get started? She has some very basic knowledge of a machine from her middle school days. As always, thank you for sharing your knowledge and skills with us. Your daughters are blessed with you as a mother!
OMG. your post has changed my life! I do the same with my kids, put them out of the sewing room when they’re interested cause there isn’t space for them, or fabric for them. Hmmm. Going to have to start making that space.
My mom did the same thing to me. Which is why I didn’t learn to sew until I was in my 20s even though I wanted to learn way before then.
I love that they’ve made up their own projects. It reminds me of something that Franklin Habit (he blogs over at http://the-panopticon.blogspot.com/) has mentioned recently. He’s taken up spinning and refuses to let anyone tell him that a technique he wants to learn as a beginner is “too hard”. He firmly believes that by diving in enthusiastically, he’s more likely to a. finish, b. not give up in frustration and c. figure it out in a way that works for him.
I feel like by not telling your daughters that using a sewing machine is “too hard”,you’re setting them up for a healthy approach to a lot of things in life. Your kids will grow up to be fearless, resourceful and confident adults.
That’s so cool that you have a little sewing area set up for your daughters. I remember learning how to sew as a child. First it was on one of those tiny red painted chain stitch sewing machines. I can’t remember if it was battery operated or electrical. Next it was on a real sewing machine at my grandmother’s house. I was thrilled when she gave me her old White sewing machine once she bought a brand new Bernina. Fond, fond memories.
What a great idea! I think any kid would love having their own area like that… 🙂
another great post abby! i have a question, i have a 10 yr old grandson that has been begging me to teach him to sew. could a person get the second sewing book and skip the first, or is it necessary as a precursor? thanks muches
love your girls little sewing space, such a fantastic mommy you are. i wish i had been given my own wee sewing area when i was little
Could not agree more. I was lucky that my mother gave me my own equipment and fabrics, and later my very own sewing machine. There were not books around in those days so I did my own thing, making patchwork and clothes for my dolls. I have had a life long love of sewing as a result. Well done.
Hi Bonnie,
This is my favorite class to teach! If only I lived near you. I teach group and private classes here in Wellesley on how to use your sewing machine! Since, alas, I live too far away, I recommend the Sewing Machine 911 class on Craftsy: http://www.craftsy.com/class/Sewing-Machine-911/77 It’s free and very good. I hope that helps!
Right! It always felt bad to me, but I up until now I really didn’t stop and think of a good solution. This is so great now. We just got back from a week away and the kids looked at the machine and said, “Sewing!”
I like Franklin’s approach. You’re so much more likely to persist through all the frustration of learning something new if you love what you’re making!
Those are nice memories, Tami! My mother and grandmother both totally rejected sewing and looked at me rather quizzically when I asked if I could spend my Bat Mitzvah money on a sewing machine!
Hi Susan,
Yes, you could certainly skip right to the second book in this series and do just fine. The first book is really all hand-sewing projects and the second book is just as easy to use and understand, but the projects are for machine sewing. Goo luck to you and your grandson!
Right, Jane! Just being free to use the machine to make what you wanted, and then look in books or ask questions (or now go on YouTube) to figure things out when you needed to is the best way to love sewing!
Lucky girls! I was very lucky too in that I was always allowed to have a go on my mum’s sewing machine – and any other crafting equipment in the house – and she would show me how to do things as much as she could and then happily leave me to it. We also had sewing lessons at school, both hand and machine sewing,which has stood me in good stead over the years. My 21st birthday present from my parents was an electric sewing machine which lasted over 25 years. So I think laying the groundwork when the child is young pays off!
Oh this has hit a nerve with me. I’m always telling my little one she’s not to play with my craft stuff yet I love that she wants to be creative. You’ve inspired me to try & make space to include her rather than shutting her out 🙂
Thanks Abby! I will forward the info. to her! I, too, wish we could attend your class!
Thanks for the review. Love the first book. I sew primarily by hand and know so many adults who want to learn how and it is an amazing book for children and adults alike. Now I’m really interested in the second book. I have younger stepchildren now at the perfect ages to learn to sew on a machine. While we won’t be purchasing a second machine (I learned on my mother’s cast iron Singer), I am so glad there’s a colorful book to help me teach them and for them to look at and get inspired.