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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Passing Down Your Craft  |
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LadyInRed
True Blue Farmgirl
6740 Posts
PeggyAnn
Vancouver
WA
USA
6740 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 06 2010 : 2:30:47 PM
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Don't you have any friends, neighbors, or daughters that you can teach? That is one thing that has always meant a lot to me...that another woman (young or old) was willing to pass on her craft to me. If you think about it...it truly is our heritage as women. Older women taught me to crochet, embroider, sew etc but it was a younger woman who taught me to knit. Now I feel responsible for passing down the craft to others too. It is just something deep inside me...that says this is a Fundamental Right of Passage for all Women to learn their craft, hone their skills, then pass it down to other women. We must not let it die out. Does that sound silly? I feel like I embrace a little bit of each woman who has taught me and they make up a little bit of who I have become. So, I cherish each woman who has gifted me with a part of themselves and our American Heritage as women. We must continue the process. It's a beautiful part of our history.
Blessings,
~Peggy
Lady In Red
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
A "SMILE" Should Be A Woman's First Accessory, Then Her Purse, Shoes, and Bling! ~p.smith
Lady In Red
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
A "SMILE" Should Be A Woman's First Accessory, Then Her Purse, Shoes, and Bling! ~p.smith |
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LadyInRed
True Blue Farmgirl
6740 Posts
PeggyAnn
Vancouver
WA
USA
6740 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2010 : 3:05:51 PM
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Kris...good for you, at least you are giving them the opportunity to learn. My mom taught me to embroidery but I didn't really start using my skills until I married and had my own home. So, they may still surprise you one day and pick it back up and go to town on it. I think it is marvelous that your charity knitting group does the same thing...passes on their honed knowledge and skills. AWESOME...that's how we all learn.
I am still learning today as well as teaching what I know. Believe me there are much more experienced needle crafters out there than me...and I learn more and more from their skills and by their example myself. It's the beauty of Art...we never completely arrive...there is always more to learn.
blessings,
~peggy
Lady In Red
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
A "SMILE" Should Be A Woman's First Accessory, Then Her Purse, Shoes, and Bling! ~p.smith |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3336 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3336 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2010 : 3:38:08 PM
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It wasn't until I was in my early 30's that I really started getting into quilting and embroidery...I attribute that to my DH 2nd time around for both of us. He just brought out the best in me and let me explore my craft with 100% support, praise--- and encouragement!
I have two daughters one 29 and the other 17 and they are not the least bit interested-its really kind of sad...
In our area they don't even teach Home Ec anymore where I learned basic sewing skills enough to teach me how to make my own prom dresses, etc. and then when I was married curtains, aprons, and such.Now Home Ec seems to have been pushed to the wayside-What's up with that?
Melody
Farmgirl #525
www.melodynotes-melodynotes.blogspot.com
http://www.farmgirlhistory.blogspot.com/
www.lemonverbenasoap.etsy.com
www.longtallsallys.etsy.com
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emsmommy5
True Blue Farmgirl
1547 Posts
Angie
Buckley
WA
USA
1547 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2010 : 4:39:42 PM
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Suprisingly enough, my friend was telling me the other day that her 25ish yo daughter and friends.... VERY yuppy, fashion-appearance minded, young women want to start canning. We are going to have a canning afternoon later this summer. Maybe it will become *fashionable* to be self-sufficient homemakers again with all the going green, organic foods, and recycling, etc.
Do what you love, love what you do. |
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brandyanne
True Blue Farmgirl
81 Posts
Debra
81 Posts |
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Rivergirl_2007
True Blue Farmgirl
332 Posts
Shirley
Karnak
IL
USA
332 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2010 : 9:16:25 PM
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| I have embroidered since I was very young - my mother taught me - then I taught myself several other types of needlework - all related to embroidery. This past year I taught myself to needle tat and crochet. Knitting is next. I would love to teach these crafts to someone, but have not found anyone interested in learning and I agree - these skills are our heritage. These are the art of our ancesters. I have thought of contacting a local girl scout group to see if they would like to learn. Has anyone else done that? |
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urban chickie
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Catherine
Niles
IL
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2010 : 9:18:00 PM
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Yes, I yearn to teach others as well. I did not really discover my crafty, creative side till I was an adult. My mom taught me to cook, embroider, and crochet (after a great aunt started but decided she didn't have time, sop mom had to teach herself to answer my questions LOL). Sew enrolled me in a park district sewing class and taught me a lot of that as well, but as an adult I really blossomed in this area. I taught or am teaching myself myself using books largely and later the internet to make beaded jewelry, quilting, handmade paper, rubber stamping and related paper crafts, scrapbooking, knitting, weaving, spinning, tatting, wild yeast baking, soap and toiletry making...you get the idea. I like the challenge of learning a new skill just as much as the things I can create! But I generally know no one personally who shares this desire. It is so frustrating! That's why I love these online forums so much, I get to connect with like minded souls and share our love to create. I have no children of my own, and my niece is very far away....it's hard to find someone who wants to share this love of craft.
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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LadyInRed
True Blue Farmgirl
6740 Posts
PeggyAnn
Vancouver
WA
USA
6740 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2010 : 11:01:55 PM
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Angie...Yahoo, glad to hear that this young woman is interested in learning to can.
Most young women don't even cook anymore. Like Melody said...most girls and boys have
no School Home Ec classes like we did. I made my boys take cooking and sewing in school
because I told them that they could not be guaranteed marrying someone who already had
those skills. I am happy to say that their girls know how to cook, but my boys help
do half the house work in their homes and also help with the kids. Even washing and ironing!
My husband washes all his own cloths too. With my Fibromyalgia...that is a huge help to me.
Shirley I think contacting the girl scouts would be awesome.
Catherine I applaud you for teaching yourself and using tutorials on the internet to learn your
crafts. It is cool that they have all that available to us now and I have used some too but
I would much prefer that one-on-one community of sisterhood to learn from. So much more fun. Having girlfriends to have conversation with.
But if there is no one to teach you...hey, learning that way is great too. Then maybe you will
have the opportunity at sometime to pass what you've learned down to someone else.
And it is so wonderful to have our MJF Forums to learn from each other and/or have others who love the
same strong sense of tradition, heritage and craft as we do. Huge Blessing! HUGE!
Hugs,
~peggy
Lady In Red
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
A "SMILE" Should Be A Woman's First Accessory, Then Her Purse, Shoes, and Bling! ~p.smith |
Edited by - LadyInRed on Jul 06 2010 11:05:27 PM |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2010 : 04:36:38 AM
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Hi Peggy,
Your not alone! I have learned so much from my elders and seem to be the family historian. . . I am always willing to pass down what I have learned to anyone who askes. . . Very important to keep the traditions alive!!!!!
My business tag line is: " Keeping Traditions Alive a Stitch at a Time"
The hardest part is finding others who want to learn. Sharing such valuable information is so important, I am even considering writing a book in order to preserve the knowledge for future generations.
Joanna #566
"Keeping Traditions Alive A Stitch At A Time"
JojoNH
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CountryCents
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
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nitere
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Amy
Hickory
NC
USA
482 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2010 : 06:35:38 AM
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My grandma taught me how to sew when I was six years old. She made most of my clothes and she would give me the scraps to make my own creations. I absolutely loved it. As an adult, it was always so uplifting for her to compliment my work. She passed away two years ago from leukemia, but I had the opportunity, while lying in the bed with her, to thank her for all she taught me. It was an unforgettable moment. I try to encourage people all the time to just try it…it can really change your life!
Farmgirl Sister #37
http://www.buraellen.blogspot.com |
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MrsRooster
True Blue Farmgirl
1168 Posts
Amy
Seabrook
TX
USA
1168 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2010 : 08:18:20 AM
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I actually didn't learn much from my Mom. I was a huge Little House on the Prarie fan as a kid and wanted to make homemade stuff. I have been doing cross stitch and needlepoint since the 6th grade.
Got into Civil War Re-enacting. Made myself a dress by hand. Met my hubby.
I am teaching my five year old how to sew. She is making a teddy bear from felt. She wants to learn how to cross stitch next.
I learned how to cook and clean when I moved out on my own. But I am glad because I do it my way.
My Grandma Anne died years before I was born. She was the needleworker, quilter, canner, etc. I have a piece of one of her Grandma's Garden quilts. I feel her when I hold it. I am sure that we would have been very close.
It is a shame that in today's world that homemaking isn't taught or that it is what you do if you don't do anything else. I worked at a local hospital before I had my daughter. I don't miss the corporate world one bit. I am where I am happy. At home and working on womanly things.
With what is coming for our country with the economy and other things, we all need to support each other and teach the younger girls how to make do and do with what they have. We need to be happy with what we have.
www.mrsrooster.blogspot.com
Farmgirl #1259
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LadyInRed
True Blue Farmgirl
6740 Posts
PeggyAnn
Vancouver
WA
USA
6740 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2010 : 1:19:40 PM
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Joanna and both Amy's...wonderful comments! I am so happy hearing that other women feel the same way I do
about passing on our Art/Craft. And I love all the Grandma, Mom, Aunt, Little House, On-line Learning Tutorial Stories that everyone is sharing. They are all so touching. The ones I find sad are the ones where no one can find someone to pass the needle down to. But I am convinced if not now, soon someone will come along that will see you crafting and say, "Wow, that is cool, could you teach me how to do that?" One thing I do is craft in public also. If I go to a coffee-shop or Book store/with coffee-shop or wait in a Dr.s office etc. I take some needle work of some-kind with me. I have had more great conversations with women over what I am making and what they love to make, and I even had a perfect stranger at the Hospital ask me to Knit her daughter a scarf and purse. She paid me on the spot and I made them and delivered them a couple of weeks later.
The young gal who taught me to knit...was taught by her Uncle who Knits. I didn't know men liked to knit but hey, I discovered that there are quite a few male closet knitters out there and some have even come out of the closet and are teaching others. I LOVE IT!
Thanks for sharing your stories sisters,
~peggy
Lady In Red
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
A "SMILE" Should Be A Woman's First Accessory, Then Her Purse, Shoes, and Bling! ~p.smith |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Passing Down Your Craft |
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Passing Down Your Craft
