Wednesday, October 27, 2010

sewing with my boys

My boys have taken an interest in sewing. I'm not sure if they have taken a "if you can't beat them, join them" approach with me or what. Maybe they love the speed of my Juki? Or maybe they love the process of creating as much as I do? (How fun would THAT be?!?!) Whatever the reason, they LOVE sewing. It makes me nervous to have them sitting at a machine that can sew 1500 stitches per minute, but they are doing great. Their 1/4" seam isn't spot on yet, but my 10 year old does sew an impressive seam. My 7 year old LOVES to iron, and he does well sewing, too. (Don't get me wrong, this process isn't without it's tense moments!)

On Sunday night we took a bunch of strings that I wasn't crazy about (some of them are fine, but some of them have been recycled so many times that I'm sick of seeing them), and we started sewing them all together. Now that they are together, I like the fabrics again. Funny how that works! I do believe that it will make a dandy quilt.

As long as my boys are having fun with it, I refuse to feel guilty about being dangerously close to running a sweatshop. :)

53 comments:

Mary said...

My 6 year old is the same way. He made a tic-tac-toe mat and a pillowcase. The compensating foot on the Juki is really good for him because it keeps him straighter, but the speed is scary and I'm sitting behind him holding my breath the whole time. Now he wants to make a twin size I-Spy. Maybe I can talk him into a placemat instead?

Kim's Treasures said...

That's awesome! The colors are pretty! I don't think I could handle your machine! I am a very slow sewer! Probably because I am still a novice!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

It will be worth it to keep it up! My son (32) replaced the zipper in his wife's winter coat last year (and his day job is a construction worker).

Sara said...

I think those blocks are wonderful! Your boys just may have something-he,he!! My 2 1/2 yr old son loves fabric and LOVES to choose which of mommy's quilts he will sleep under for the night!

Live a Colorful Life said...

I'm practically counting the days until my 4-year-old granddaughter is old enough to sit behind the driver's seat (with my assistance, of course) of the Featherweight I bought her. Before she was born.

Needled Mom said...

Beautiful work!!!! My boys (4 of them) all loved to sew. I really think it is the "machine" idea for them, but they did a great job and still do when nesessary. Now my grandsons are as interested in the machines as the girls are.

Keep encouraging them as your DILs will love it!!!!

Katherine said...

Looks like they're doing a great job. Isn't it exciting to be sharing something you love and see their interest kindled?
What will they make with the strings they've stitched together? You're right, it would make a great quilt. Lap size?

Victoria Paige @ Boutique Uniquely said...

How fun! That is so cool you can share creativity with your boys!

Can't wait to see with what they come up with next!

Islay said...

You brave soul! Luckily I have a good excuse not to allow mine near my treasured Husqvarna - he's only two, and more likely to sew his finger than fabric.

Anonymous said...

Enjoy it while they like it. My boys grew out of it very quickly! They each made one quilt though!

Terriaw said...

how fun to see the boys express such an interest in your passion! I love the little patchwork they have contributed to your design wall. Could there be some doll quilts for their Legos and soldier toys?

Becky (My Fabric Obsession) said...

Wow, that's so fun! I can't wait until my daughter is old enough to join me. I just hope she's interested like your boys are.

silversmith said...

my 8-yr old is making working on his very first quilt. i bought him a janome sew mini earlier this year so he could work on a small machine that wasn't a toy, but a good size (and needle speed!!) for little hands. i wish there were extras, like a light or different feet, but it's perfect to get them started. i only had a put a tape line down for the 1/4" seam.

his seams are no where near perfect and there's been quite a bit of ripping out seams when i can stick my finger through them. otherwise, i'm letting his sewing be imperfect and wonky so he learns. he'll see progress over time later in life too.

JHNickodemus said...

I love those colors! I left a featherweight sewing machine on the table in my boyfriend's (now husbands) apartment that he was sharing with his brother. They kept wanting to push the buttons. I told them they had to have fabric in the machine to push the buttons. That night they were making a quilt.

carol said...

So how did you coax them? I have a 33 year old daughter that I can't interest for the life of me!!!

Liz Jimenez said...

I love it! My three-year-olds would desperately like to "help" me sew. Sometimes I can have them on my lap and let them push the start/stop button, but even that sometimes gets a little hairy. Maybe next year...

Anonymous said...

Well, let's just say this post made my day.

While I've attempted to work a bit at teaching my dd, who's 9, to sew, it's my ds, who's almost 7, who loves to create.

I've not really thought much about teaching him to sew, but I guess I should. I think I figure he's young and I don't want to chance dangerous situations or breaking of my machine. But I'm having second thoughts.

At present he takes all my "un-usable" scraps and staples them together, making his own creations. But I think I'll be brave and maybe work with him over Christmas break.

sko_G knits said...

that's so great. my mother used to knit and sew constantly when i was growing up. i guess she really had a huge influence me because now i can't not be either knitting or sewing!

Molly said...

My oldest son loved to sew and he made me some sweet pillows for my bed:) My mom taught him how to knit and that kept him occupied one winter. Sadly, he knows more about knitting than I do! Now that he's grown up he's a carpenter and he still loves to create things .... only with wood now.

Tina H. in california said...

Nice to see the next generation of manquilters. Your boys have an eye for color. I'm jealous--their work is better than mine! And since the sweatshop seems mostly operational we'll all be waiting for some great things in the very near future!

Suzanne said...

Love the headless frogs. Boys and frogs and sewing. Seems like a perfect mix.

razberiswrl said...

LOL!! Sweatshop ... love it. I also love that your kids are interested in sewing (and ironing! Hello? I could get into THAT!) and you have the patience to let them give it a shot.

Jessica Christensen said...

LOL. Sweatshop was the exact word that came to my mind as I was reading. :)

Kimberly Whispell said...

Very adorable! I can't wait to see what you guys create.

Bree said...

LOL at the sweatshop! My 2 year old son is super interested in the sewing machine. He runs to my scrap basket, rifles through until he finds something green or with cars on it, and brings it over to sew. He puts his hands on the fabric and I put my hands over his for safety - but in a few years, he'll be whipping out quilts like nobody's business!

Cheryl said...

Amanda Jean you are one funny gal.
Love the last line. You made me smile.
I think it's great that they are interested. Great fine motor skills and useful for when they become older.
And oh my, one of your sons loves to iron??? Bless his heart. Keep encouraging them.

bethanndodd said...

I love it! I have 3 boys (10, 8, and 4 1/2, sorry I had to add the 1/2, otherwise he would FREAK out...haha!). My 8 year old is VERY interested in sewing. I can't wait to start sharing the experience with him. Strips are a great way to start, thanks! Smiles...

Leslie said...

what a treat to be able to share sewing with your sons....you are brave. i think we would have more than a few tense moments.

Cheryl Arkison said...

Seriously awesome.

Michelle said...

My boys have made boxer shorts, hacky sacks and pillowcases, they haven't shown an interest in making a quilt yet but who knows maybe oneday... I have a Juki just like yours too and a Janome the kids use the Janome!

VickiT said...

That's great your boys are interested in sewing. It's very good for them to have that knowledge so when they get older and move off to college or out on their own, they can repair their own stuff. Heck, maybe one will go on to be the next famous designer and buy you a home to retire in Mom. :)

Besides, now you'll have an excuse to buy MORE fabric and maybe even a few more sewing machines. ;) This could work out really well for you too.

Tina said...

I think it's fantastic they love sewing. I remember sitting with my mum when I was little and having her teach me how to sew and how to knit and when I grew older, how to cross stitch. They are some of my fondest memories and I can't wait for the day when I have my own children so that I can sit and teach them the things my mother taught me.

Collette said...

That's wonderful that they're loving it. When I'm making baby blankets, I typically select one of the symbols and just place them randomly on the blanket to "quilt" it. I let my 3 year old son sit on my lap and push the start button and then, after it's done, push the button to cut the thread. He loves it.

And it's not a sweatshop when you're not paying them, right? That's what I'm telling myself anyway. ;-)

Deanna said...

Teach them right. Teach them young. Good job mom!

Someday said...

You make me laugh... and I think it must be a fun household in which to grow up!

jan said...

Love it! Of my four, only the oldest has no interest. My youngest, a boy, calls his quilting "extreme." ;)

Sarah Craig said...

My 3-yr old granddaughter spotted a little pink chain stitch machine at Joann's yesterday, and said, "Look, Nana, a Lilli-sized sewing machine! I need it!" She's right, too - because then maybe I'd get to sew!!

Rachael said...

My DS 2 1/2 loves my sewing machine. He works the foot on long lines wiht guidance and will use the start/stop button. He even picks the fabrics for me when we go shopping, most of them are not bad. I'll let him have free reign, when I know all his fingers will remain intact!

pat sloan said...

I'm in Love with anything in those colors lately.. throw in peach and I'm over to steal it from Da Boyz!

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

How cool is that?!? And I couldn't even get my two daughters interested in sewing while they were growing up. Enjoy!!

tricialee said...

My DS started to love it when he was about 6. He is nine now and has made 5 rag quilts. All lap size and with really big squares, but it is a great start. He even donated one to an auction at his school, and made one for his aunt for her birthday.

Brooke said...

Oh, you do get the good mom award.

KUDOS!!

My boys BEG me to sit at the machine, and I'm always so task oriented that I have yet to make time for that. They won't always be interested in sitting at my machine with me. I need to recognize this gift while it is standing in front of me (begging) before it is gone. These days are precious, and they move quickly!

You have inspired me. Thanks for the encouragement to take the time to do what REALLY matters.....no matter how long it takes or how much it will probably stress me out! :)

The only thing more fun to make than a quilt is a good memory! :)

Andrea, the little collector said...

Repeat after me...if it is fun, it isn't a sweat shop.

Keep making it fun!

Sew Create It - Jane said...

I'm so glad to hear that your fall in and out of love with your scraps. I am exactly the same and always love fabric more once it is sewn into something.

I think your boys did a fab job!

Anonymous said...

Looking good there boys! My now 11 year old just finished her 9 patches she started when she was 8. When it came to sewing the top together she said it was too much so I did the top and finishing for her , she had to lay it all out first.
Ten and 7 isnt too young for them to learn to use a sewing machine. Keep them learning about it. If nothing else they will always know they can use a sewing machine and you have them ahead of 'life skills' in middle school.

Tara said...

I can't wait for tade to want to make things! He sews in my lap a lot, which can be "fun" and if something has a hole in it he brings it to me to "fix now!" But he's not really ready to create yet.

But if he knows we're going to a party, he says, "what are we going to make them?" Which, of course, speaks to my heart!

Sandra said...

Well these weren't MY kids (although some times I feel like some of them are) I volunteer at my daughters school and the tech teacher asked if anyone could help him with a sewing project for his middle school classes. Grade 6,7 and 8 (5 classes). So we made pillowcases (for million pillowcase challenge.) We worked as teams and gave away 45 pillowcases to a local seniors complex. It really enabled me to stop feeling intimated by some of those (taller than me) middle schoolers! and we had a great time getting the work completed. My daughter is in Grade 2, and right now she wants to collect the selvedges (the "strings")for a nest for her LPS!
jjandarh@hotmail.com

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

LOL - I think if you don't pay them at all, then it's volunteer work and not a sweatshop.

Anonymous said...

I have been sewing since I was 4 years old! My Dad was sure I would sew my fingers! Well, it hasn't happened yet! This started me on a life long love of sewing! My first projects were hemmed hankies for my "best Daddy"! Keep those boys sewing! My hubby can cross stitch better than I can! Love your posts!

Michele said...

My son and I just finished a quillow and pillowcases made with truck fabric. When I have the right fabric my boys are interested in quilting!

sarah, rsm said...

how cool! you must be SO PROUD of your little men! :)

Deb said...

Let 'em go!

I bought my 8 year old a sewing machine (Bernina) when she was 6 because I was sick of sharing my Pfaff! Now, she uses the Pfaff, the iron, the scissors, the patterns, the fabric...everything but the rotary cutter!

Denice said...

I teach ALL my boys to sew. We start with a pillow case and move on to pajama pants. Each has done some patchwork quilting, but all branch out to other things. My son, who is 20 is famous among his friends for being *the best* at *pegging* jeans. guys and gals come from far and wide to PAY him to take in the legs of their expensive denims! when he moved away and went to college you bet he could fix the pocket that tore open. Just today my 15 yr old was sewing a halloween costume for his dog! Happy sewing (even for boys!).