Sewing Explosion
Sewing Explosion!
I have experienced a sewing explosion and I couldn’t be happier! This is my second year of offering kids classes and I have had so many requests that I’ve opened up an extra space in all of my classes. I was regretfully turning kids away when my husband reminded me that Brother Canada had sponsored me with five sewing machines so why not use them all? (Sometimes he comes in handy!) So, I opened up another space.
Why all this newfound interest in sewing? I’m not exactly sure, but there is a huge movement towards DIY and sewing is right in there.
When I went to school Home Economics was considered very valuable for young women to learn in preparation for running a household. It consisted of cooking and sewing classes and was only for girls! Too bad they didn’t teach you how to budget or balance a cheque book, but then that is another story!
These days much more emphasis is placed on Academics and the teaching of Home Economics in schools is on the decline. In fact, there is a shortage of teachers qualified to teach sewing, a real Catch 22. And with all this we now have an entire generation that doesn’t know how to sew on a button, let alone create a garment.
Sewing is such a wonderful creative outlet and I am thrilled that so many parents want their children to learn. AND even more importantly, the kids want to learn! When I was a kid I loved sewing! It was all by hand with needle and thread. I couldn’t wait to take Home Ec in school. I teach a program that is specifically geared towards 6 to 12 year olds AND it’s on the machine, which is far more manageable for kids.
As told in the American Profile:
Learning to sew helps children become creative thinkers, according to findings from a clinical study completed by the not-for-profit Home Sewing Association (HSA) in the late-1990s.
The study revealed that children ages 8 to 12 showed elevated creativity after sewing a simple project. Children who sew during these critical years of development show increased creativity and self-esteem and appear to build skills in creative problem solving and perseverance.
Sewing’s multitude of choices—color selection, fabric options, design and proportion—help stimulate creative thinking skills. Completing a project fosters a sense of accomplishment. Hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills develop through the use of the hands, and exercises in following directions along with problem solving skills are all added benefits of sewing experiences for children.
Excerpts are from an article by Alan Ross on February 20, 2005
Even though I am super busy teaching our next generation how to sew, I am still offering beginner lessons for adults too. I can now say that I teach from ages 6 to 62…and beyond! It is never too late to learn a new skill!