Sewing

Under the guidance of Holly, the girl had a totally fun first experience with sewing!

Their project was to create a blanket. H took the girl with her when she went to the store and she got to pick out her own fabric Of course it was a fairly simple task, but she was SOOO excited to have completed such a "grown-up" project. And according to H, fairly good at it! Who whould have thought! Just look at her face and you can see her pride! Thanks Holly!! ( i love how intent she lookes in this picture!)

My first sewing project was under the tutelege of my aunt. I believe me and my cousin made small pillows and eventually little sacs for our purses for makeup and whatnot. In high school I took Home Ec and during the sewing chapter made a peasant skirt (you know...all the rage in the early 80's). I loved my Home Ec teacher Mrs. Stulp...she was dark haired and chubby and wore dramatic clothing and she was warm as fresh bread. She managed the relative choas of her room with great ease. I remember the fabric was burgandy with little white flowers, and I hemmed it with white lace and baby blue bows....OH MY...

Sewing is going to be one of those lost arts I believe...like knitting or crocheting or baking certain traditional kinds of food. When I look back in my own family I think that wow...my grandmother sewed like...TONS of clothing of her own and for her children and for her grandchildren; my mom and aunts sewed as well. But really none of us cousins from this generation sew. Interesting.

Same thing with making traditional Dutch foods....in those generations everyone knew how to make Dutch banket (a delicate flaky pastry filled with almond paste). Its a talent. A skill that is learned. Or canning foods. My mom and aunts canned and froze all kinds of foods all summer long...they would "do corn", freeze beans, can peaches and pears and we would eat them all year long. Good stuff that fresh farm food...but that is another post for another time!