Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: tiedyejudy
Date: 08-12-2005, 09:05 AM (1 of 16)
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I have been doing hand-sewing (hemming, applique), embroidery, crochet, etc., since I was a young girl. I have fond memories of my Great-Grandmother crocheting afghans, my Grandmother quilting, and my other Grandmother crocheting beautiful laces. My Mother and Step-Mother both sewed and did other hand-crafts. When I was growing up, we didn't have much money for gift giving, so my Step-Mother taught me how to make things to give as gifts. Is this a dying art now? I am saddened that courses like sewing and homemaking have been dropped from school curriculums, and it seems like families are so busy these days that I wonder if kids are even exposed to hand-crafts anymore. What can be done to keep these crafts alive? Judy Judy Sall Originals
www.angelfire.com/retro/tiedyejudy |
User: tiedyejudy
Member since: 08-10-2005 Total posts: 78 
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From: MaryW
Date: 08-12-2005, 02:10 PM (2 of 16)
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What can we do? We can show anyone interested what we know about handwork and crafts. I have one grandson who loves to play with paint, glue and construction paper. He is very creative. No one wants to do this sort of thing much so he and I just have a good time together every once in a while.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 08-13-2005, 02:52 PM (3 of 16)
I am betting that if you keep your eyes and ears open, you will find a younger person that is interested, and you can encourage them in one way or another.. My grands love to craft with me in whatever form I share with them.. Their parents are just too busy making a living to have time for things like that.. Their recreation times are spent mostly at school related events for the family.. So, being the crafty Grand that I am, (double meaning of crafty there), I encourage their artistics talents as much as possible.. Drawing, painting, beading, are their favorites right now.. I printed out Joanne's crayola quilt lessons and put in a folder for DGD. Too late to start for this summer, but we will get around to it, and I have the instructions all ready.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: tiedyejudy
Date: 08-14-2005, 09:27 AM (4 of 16)
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Bless you for keeping crafting alive! Now that I think of it, I got a lot of encouragement from my quilting Grandma... opened up her scrap drawer and donated fabric for me to make doll clothes! I have two beautiful crocheted pieces I rescued from a box of old things my aunt was keeping - a Vee-shaped color, and a Reticule. I mounted them on fabric and framed them in Shadow boxes, so they have become artwork from Grandma and Great Grannie that I can enjoy every day. Grandmas are wonderful! Judy Judy Sall Originals
www.angelfire.com/retro/tiedyejudy |
User: tiedyejudy
Member since: 08-10-2005 Total posts: 78
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 08-14-2005, 06:17 PM (5 of 16)
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I have a beautiful quilt my GrandMother made when I was 5 .. I also have a Crocheted bedspread she made when I was younger than that. It was Mom's Christmas present from her Mom.. Those are priceless treasures in my house..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: Debby215
Date: 08-14-2005, 10:56 PM (6 of 16)
Hey Judy, not to worry, crafting will never die in my house. My grandaughter and I have been crafting of one sort or another since she was in preschool. She is now entering 3rd grade and now my 3 year old grandson is joining the group. He loves working with beads and pipe cleaners or string. Nicole likes to work with the foamies, glue and anything she can get her hand on. I thought she was going to love sewing as much as I do, but her FIRST quilt that she pieced that has 3 rows, is lovingly sitting on the bookshelf. I truly think my grandson is going to want to learn to sew, and I think that is soo cool... We have craftime all the time here at Gramma's. Like Libby, I do it with them, because their parents are busy. I get done work at 2 and get my grandaughter at 3, so we have time before she gets picked up to go home....I think and hope it is something they will remember always.... 
Debby
So much fabric....... So little time!! |
User: Debby215
Member since: 11-14-2001 Total posts: 611 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 08-15-2005, 08:03 AM (7 of 16)
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People keep worrying about the craft or art of sewing dying. I don't think that is likely. It is a natural drive in people to create and textiles are a very attractive medium for many. But people who had to sew in the past to clothe their families no longer have to. So now the only people who sew and quilt are people who enjoy it -- some to the point of being driven to create with needle and thread. That means the "craft" of sewing is done by more creative people and it is becoming an art form. Even if they don't have to sew there will always be people who do. That's what I think. And I encourage people to try it but I always try not to encourage people to sew if they don't really enjoy it. A lot of women feel like they have to know how to sew by virtue of being female -- like guys feel they have to know about cars or sports by virtue of being male. I always tell people that if you don't like to sew don't waste time at a sewing machine that you could use doing something you do enjoy. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: allie-oops
Date: 08-15-2005, 10:20 PM (8 of 16)
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Crafting will never die at my house, lol....my oldest son was writing and drawing at age 2, I started making him a HUGE quilt out of all his pictures that he drew. I finished it by the time he was 4. He'll never stop drawing - he wants to produce films now, but still has that Mom-given urge to create. My boys always had access to finger paints, clay, fabric, notions, you name it. I remember one time, we all got head lice from church - being the spaz that I am, I bagged up all the toys, legos and stuff, for two weeks. They had NOTHING to play with. Those little boys, 7 and 5 years old, made entire armies of paper and pen and tape and played Civil War. My mom is an artist, and has a craft room - filled with boxes, strange pieces of wood, rocks to paint on, it's heaven. Hubby has every woodworking tool you can think of. I remember sewing class in high school - how I hated it! It was my introduction to sewing, and it's a miracle that I love it now. Allie "onward through the fog"
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User: allie-oops
Member since: 10-25-2002 Total posts: 282 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 08-16-2005, 07:24 AM (9 of 16)
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I met the greatest little girl yesterday. Build-A-Bear Workshops -- you know the ones in the malls where you find put together your own stuffed toy -- had a contest to design an outfit for their mascot stuffed toy. It was open to anyone up to 18-years of age in the US and Canada. This little girl won. She is 7-1/2-years-old. She lives in the small city where the paper I work for has a bureau and I am doing a story on her. Her mother said the contest was pretty basic, just a sheet of paper with the front and back of the bear so the kids could color on their outfits. With no help or suggestions from anyone little Hannah took bits of fabric and glued them on with construction paper, beads and other things. Her mom said anyone who knows her isn't surprised. She is a little fashion maven. Hannah is excited because besides a $10,000 scholarship she wins a trip to New York and she is going shopping (her favorite thing to do). She loves art but really only likes to draw clothes. I suggested to her mother, who doesn't sew, she find that girl sewing lessons. The craft will not die when people are born with that kind of interest and talent. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: mccurdy
Date: 01-31-2006, 09:58 PM (10 of 16)
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4-H is alive and well here in michigan and we still teach alot of handwork. i am amazed at the school i work at the number of people who would love to learn to sew but dont have the opportunity. if i had the time i would teach it again. Mccurdy |
User: mccurdy
Member since: 01-31-2006 Total posts: 3 |
From: MaryW
Date: 02-01-2006, 09:44 AM (11 of 16)
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Hi mccurdy and welcome to Sew Whats New. People don't sew to save money anymore but they do enjoy the ongoing steps to a unique wardrobe. My mother sewed very little. If she had her way, she would have knit all day every day. Not to save money (though she did) but because she loved the feel and rhythm of the wool and needles together. Check out the poll on the homepage. Vote if you haven't yet. The results say it best. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: mommydionne
Date: 02-05-2006, 03:43 PM (12 of 16)
 I think my kids think ALL moms sew, knit etc. They love the play with buttons and yarn etc. When my daughter gets a bit older she hopefully will have the patience to sew, not so sure about the boys but we'll see!!
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: nicolesewing
Date: 02-09-2006, 02:33 AM (13 of 16)
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I don't think crafting will be dying . at least may forums about sewing and craft are very active,many of whom are young people. i learned sewing & embroidery from my mather, my aunt, my grandmather. i will teach my daughter the needlework if i have one some day. if it is a boy, my dream will break down! |
User: nicolesewing
Member since: 01-19-2006 Total posts: 24 
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 02-09-2006, 07:22 AM (14 of 16)
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Nicolesewing, I hope what you say is true...I also was taught to sew, knit and crochet by my grandmother and mother. Now I am trying to pass some on to my niece...I've taught her how to make a grandmother's flower garden quilt block and she is working on making a full quilt. As well she is making a quilted Christmas tree skirt for next year when she will have her own apartment.
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: MariLynntex
Date: 02-09-2006, 12:11 PM (15 of 16)
I taught my children to play the piano and one of the girls was interested in sewing and she is good at it. All my 4 sons and 3 daughters play at least 2 musical instruments. One daughter is a computer expert and one is an artist and teaches school and does handcrafts (woodworking, etc) as well as painting. I gave the kids all drawing lessons as well as music lessons and now I am noted among my grandchildren as the one who always gives them art supplies for birthday and Christmas! I am teaching one of the 7-yr-old boys sewing and the 9-yr-old girl macrame` and decoupage. They are making little wooden race cars with their dads for some father/son project! I don't think crafts are going to die out just yet around here!  MariLynntex
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User: MariLynntex
Member since: 01-05-2006 Total posts: 107 |
From: nicolesewing
Date: 02-09-2006, 11:29 PM (16 of 16)
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Nicolesewing, I hope what you say is true...I also was taught to sew, knit and crochet by my grandmother and mother. Now I am trying to pass some on to my niece...I've taught her how to make a grandmother's flower garden quilt block and she is working on making a full quilt. As well she is making a quilted Christmas tree skirt for next year when she will have her own apartment. HI, Judy, it is true, just stroll on the internet, you will find a lot of people having the same interests. this old art comes down from one generation to another , after thousands of years, we, at least, can still grasp these undying old skills. u may see the younger generation around u may not do quilting, sewing, embroidery like us, but it doesn't mean they won't do it in their 40's or 50's. the same thing happens with PEKING OPERA in China, lots of peope become opera addiction in their 50th,but better late than never! |
User: nicolesewing
Member since: 01-19-2006 Total posts: 24
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