JustAbitCrazy

You are a very good teacher and should be commended. Teachers (and parents!) need to think: what can I do to inspire them today? What do they need to learn? You are the kind of teacher all kids need. Many teachers do all this, but some don't. And it is also a shame that most people don't appreciate or even recognize the wonderful jobs that most teachers do, spending their own money on things for the students, planning the lesson out all at home, like you did. Great job!

lovelyl

Bravo for you! What a wonderful project for preschoolers! At my school district they do not teach any sewing at all in any grade. Unless these kids have a sewing mom, they won't even know how to sew on a button! I learned to sew in school and it has been a peaceful hobby and, at times, a necessity. I hope parents will start complaining to school boards to bring back home ec in the schools. The boards won't listen to the teachers - it takes the parents to change things!

nanna-up-north

You are right, Linda. School boards only listen to the parents. I taught home ec in public school for nearly 30 years. We fought hard to keep sewing and cooking in the curriculum but the school said no.... too much money for supplies and they needed English, SS, science and math more. I argued that life skills would last for their entire lives and how often do you hear adults talking about Eng, SS, Sci and Math? They talk about the things that are happening in their homes on a daily basis. The new HS built the home ec dept with one kitchen set-up. How do you teach 25 students with one kitchen? I finally switched to teaching physics. Yes, it's possible to have brains and still think home skills are important. They used to tell me I was the teacher that knew foods and physics.... it was a joke to them.

I still teach sewing to my grandkids and other relatives when I can. My nephews are mesmorized by my spinning wheel. Yes, I spin, too. I guess I am living in the wrong decade.... because it makes me sad as well that people think the things like cooking, sewing, parenting aren't important. They couldn't be more wrong.

WMUTeach

My paying job is at a university in the Family and Consumer Sciences department. Among other things we include basic sew skills to advanced pattern and costume design. We have full classes and most students are eager to learn these skills. It is common for our students to come with little to no experience with the art of sewing. All leave with usable knowledge and a number of them begin a career as a fashion or costume designer in our sewing lab. Others are learning skills that they will be teaching in high schools. We don't see "home economics" classes any longer but there is a reemergence of "life skills" classes in our high schools. Folks have discovered that to be a good consumer means to cook your own healthy food, mend your own clothing and care for your own home and car. It is a thrill to see our students making garments, bags and costumes for theater. Can a quilt or other needle craft be far behind? I used some of their space one day to layer a quilt and students asked many questions and were truly interested in the process. Bottom line is the interest is there in our children and young adults. We need to connect with them and show them the thrill of the needle and rotary cutter!!

WMUTeach

Nanna-up-north, I hope you get a chance to read my posting about the reemergence of those home economic classes in this thread. Of all of the education area at our university, Career and Technical Education is the one area that is growing. High schools are looking for educators that have the skills to teach basic cooking, sewing, home care and repair and financial literacy. I wish I could blink my eyes and be 25 years old again. I would love to teach those courses. Take heart, your voice was heard and a change is afoot.

lillybeck

I worked with preschoolers most of my life and this is something that most people would not think of. What a great experience for those children.

LynnVT

Fascinating stories here. I love teaching kids to sew on my Featherweight. My 7 year old grandson loves sewing; designed a pillow and small quilt on graph paper. I always have them use the foot on the floor and tell them that if they learn to control the machine they will be much better drivers when they get to drive a car. Thankfully all my 6 grands have mothers who sew at least a bit and are very crafty. Just wish 5 of them weren't 1,500 miles away or more. They all love their quilts and know I made them when they were babies.

Geri B

I have a ggd (20 months old) who was over the house one day and the "house phone" rang.....she was perplexed at the sound and where it was coming from......and a bit frightened...now when she visits and the phone rings she will put her hand to her ear and say 'ello................

When I was a newlywed and we were furnishing our home I had to have a sewing machine......I thought it was one of the "necessary" appliances in a house. Did not take me long to realize not true, but my daughters grew up knowing how to use "mom's" sewing machine to make repairs......unfortunately one of the two just returned a sewing machine I had given her several years ago-for my annual garage sale-as she "never uses it".....but one out of two isn't bad odds, but two gd don't know and don't want to know about sewing, altho when I babysat them as little ones they would "sew" w/me in my sewing room..........all they know now is texting on their phones!!!!!!what a sad thing.......

chaskaquilter

I tried to teach two grandkids sewing, but it didn't hold their attention. Too slow of a process for them. Their digital world is a fast paced place. I will have my almost 9 year old for the weekend. I will try with her.

JaniceP

Yes it is unbelievable. When I was in school..........and it's been awhile, almost 38 years I majored in Home Economics. I took 4 years of it and my Senior Year had some free time and was teacher's aid so it was like 5 years. By the time I was a Senior, I was sewing for some of the ladies at Church, making dresses and doing some tailoring for some teachers. I have always love to sew and learned on an old treadle from my mom and made my own doll clothes. I am currently working on My Crayola Quilt using my own bird photography and making lap quilts for all the kids and grand-kids so I can practice free motion quilting and just getting back into sewing after a few years break.