New Skills

I had such a great Saturday night.

My Favorite Girl has been wanting to sew something now for ages. I taught her to do a simple running stitch a few years ago, and since then she has made a few little projects. Sewing together is not something we do a lot of, frankly because it's a lot of work for me. I can't sew my own stuff while she's working, because there are always interruptions due to tangled threads, needles that need to be re-threaded, and ends to tie off. What I do know about me, is that I don't like to be interrupted.

Saturday night I knew I really shouldn't put it off anymore, and My Favorite Boy wanted to learn how to sew as well. I figured between the two of them, I would have enough to do that I wouldn't be just sitting there waiting to thread/clip/untangle.

We decided the kids would make little stuffed owls out of felt. They picked their colors, I cut the fabric out and threaded the needles and off they went. My Favorite Girl, who has been sewing a while, was quick to go. I convinced her she was old enough now to thread her own needles, and all I had to do was knot the ends.


My Favorite Boy took to the task like he's been doing it for two years. I was so proud of him. He was so focused, and took such care in stitching, I didn't have to re-thread too many needles. He hardly even poked himself, which is something I remember doing a lot!

The three of us sat on the floor, chatting and stitching and supervising; and it was so great. My Favorite Boy was really excited to be learning how to do this; something he's been watching his mummy and sister do for a long time. He told us all the things he was going to sew for us, now that he could sew. I heard pyjamas for Daddy and Mummy, and a stuffed toy for his sister. My Favorite Girl had her list of projects too; I think her brother's enthusiasm was catching. Nobody got bored, and the long moments of silence in our little circle as they stitched amused them.

I hope they always remember the peace that comes from doing a task with your hands.

I wasn't sure if they could get the owl done in time for bed, but they worked diligently and had their owls finished in time to snuggle up and dream with. The next day they wanted to make smaller owls, and that was the first project of the day.

These are My Favorite Girl's owls, happily roosting in the kitchen for a photo shoot:

And these belong to My Favorite Boy. He had a little help from me, but most of the work is his - including the button eyes!

Aren't they great?! (Just like my kids)