Cultivating life skills

Omega began to show an interest in sewing so we started with hand sewing a felt bird and then stuffing it with cotton. I don't have time to take a picture and upload it so here's a rough example of what it looked like.

I put dots all around the border and she went in and out with her needle and thread and did a great job. She enjoyed it and I could see she had the mental understanding and physical coordination to keep learning. So I told my Mom and she got some fabric ready for Omega when she came.

I didn't appreciate it then, but I sure appreciate it now to have been taught the basics of sewing when I was little. I still can't seem to put a zipper in a skirt correctly but I have been able to successfully sew curtains and couch pillows for my house and hem my husband's dress pants. Hopefully someday when I get a new sewing machine the kids and I will become more skilled. (It's having issues currently)

So, to begin Omega's dolly quilt project my Mom wanted Omega to pose for a picture with the fabric. Normally Omega is very talkative and cooperative but suddenly she froze. She wouldn't talk or pick up a piece of fabric. I didn't realize it till later that she was feeling very overwhelmed at the thought of making a "quilt". She felt intimidated and nervous. But at the time I was boggled as to why she was acting like it was such a big deal to take a picture. David explained to me that she takes after him. "If someone told me to hold up a piece of fabric and smile I'd act the same way." Then it all made sense. He and I are so different in regards to pictures. He hates posing. I love it. In fact, I'd rather pose than have someone take a candid picture of me. Luckily, Orion takes after me and at just the right time he walked in and broke the ice. He started acting silly and wanted to pose with the fabric. Omega melted and saw how easy and fun it was. 

Then the more serious teaching began and Orion left to play with his new excavator.

So, first Neena showed Omega how the bobbin works.

 
Then how the fabric would be sewn together
and how the needle goes up and down.

Omega just paid attention.













Then they started the actual sewing. Omega did a great job with the pedal. She didn't make it go too fast or too slow and let off at just the right time.

 And here is the finished product!

Thank you Mom for taking the time and having the patience to teach me and my daughter to sew! It is a skill that may seem outdated an unnecessary, but one that I think makes one truly womanly :)