Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Sewing (02/22/07)
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TITLE: In the Genes | Previous Challenge Entry
By Joyce Sykes
02/27/07 -
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Imagine my husband’s shock as we met my daughter I had placed up for adoption for the very first time and she was the spitting image of me. It looked as if we had been cut from exactly the same pattern just a few years apart. Then we discovered further that not only had she inherited many of her physical features from me but as our conversation progressed, we also discovered that she too possessed the talent to make things with her hands. As a very stunned look spread upon his face, he asked Shannon “Please tell me, you do not make fleece blankets, do you?” Of course, she smiling replied, “Oh yes, that’s my favorite!” He just stood shaking his head at this newest bit of information.
Now these marvelous genes do not always pass onto the next generation. My youngest daughter inherited none of my handicraft talents nor does she feel she has missed a single thing; much to my despair. However, I still have hope for her family line. She has four little girls who are developing a real interest in sewing and any crafts they see me doing.
Recently, we have begun sewing lessons, fortunately for me, one child as a time. My eight-year-old just wants to be able to make the sewing machine sing along at the same speed as Grandma. She has failed to realize that it has taken me years to develop this knack. Her first sewing lesson is a precious memory. She had to stop and call Momma to tell her, she was half way through with her first project. Then we called Daddy to inform him of the completion of the first project.
Her ten-year-old sister liked all the one on one attention and if only I had a nickel for every “Grandma, do you know…?” that was spoken during that first lesson. She listened closely, followed my instructions, and did a wonderful job for her very first adventure in front of the machine. Her technique shows great promise, except, she now thinks she is the expert. Amazing!
The next to the youngest, well, lets just say I gave my first blood sacrifice for her effort. Unfortunately, cutting wheels are very sharp, but fortunately, I moved the majority of my hand just in time. Guess you get the picture and it truly was just a minor scrape compared to the possibility. This little one carefully measured each and every inch of her fleece blanket to make sure the hem was only so wide.
Now, we can’t leave the baby girl out. That would be so unfair. True, she is too young to sit up to the machine, but she can mash the foot pedal. Regrettably, the words slow and stop are not part of her limited vocabulary. So, as she is doing her very best to keep the machine plugging away at the highest speed possible, one of her big sisters must stand directly behind her. Their job? To lift their little sister totally and completely off the foot pedals before we have a complete disaster on our hands.
I have learned the hard way that it is impossible to complete a sewing lesson with one granddaughter with the other three sisters present. There are too many, “Grandma, I’m thirsty. Can we have a snack? Is it my turn yet?” And of course, “Grandma, can you get my toys out?” Oh yeah, then there are the questions. “Why does this turn? What is this for? And how does the needle go up and down?”
Nevertheless, the joy far exceeds the minor frustrations. I am passing down the trait of creating things with my hands. They are learning the pleasure of taking needle, thread and fabric and hopefully making a thing of beauty that will not only be pleasing to the recipients of their labor but indeed those actions of love will pass down through each step of the process.
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