I’m a really big fan of giving the gift of an experience, so I thought I’d explore an alternate approach to the #givesewmuch challenge, and tell you a little story…
A couple of years ago, my friend’s grandmother passed away. The grandmother had made a cut-and-sew style Little Red Riding Hood doll for this friend when she was young, and my friend had passed it down to her daughter. When we attended the funeral, the young daughter (Wee A, who was about 7) was really upset because she had wanted to bring that doll along but either couldn’t find it on the day, or just plain forgot until she got to the church.
I got Wee A to tell me about the doll, and suggested that maybe a nice way to remember her great-grandmother would be to make a similar one ourselves. She agreed, and I set out to find the right doll fabric.
After poking around in local shops and online, I found the PERFECT cut-and-sew doll on Etsy. (This isn’t an affiliate link, I just want to share the adorableness!)
Of course, not content with just ONE doll, I ended up ordering two more panels from the same Moda line so that Wee A’s mom and I could also get in on the fun. (I chose a mermaid and a Hansel and Gretel panel, but there are several options available!) I also stocked up on the stuffing, thread, and other notions we would need in triplicate.
It took us a while to find a free day to get together, but we did eventually have our dolly sewing bee. We started with cutting everything out, and then got to work with sewing. While my friend sews on occasion, it was Wee A’s first time using a sewing machine or an iron, so there was lots of new territory to cover! We also did some bits of hand-sewing (especially on the little stuffed animals that come with each doll).
In the interest of having the day stay fun and exciting, rather than tipping over into frustration, Wee A and I agreed that I would handle the precision stitching around the doll’s head and limbs, and she’d focus on the other pieces. Since her mom and I were making our dolls in parallel, we could demonstrate the process without doing everything for her.
The best part of the day? Wee A told her mom, “Momma, sewing is fun!”
Sometimes it’s not the finished product that’s the real gift — though these dolls are pretty flippin’ cute — it’s the time and the sharing of skills and connections that really makes the sewing itself into a gift. Wee A not only has the dolls to go with the one her great-grandmother made, but she has a set of skills and a sense of pride that will serve her well as she grows!
In the spirit of the Giving Challenge, think about how sharing the experience of sewing can be a gift, too! We recently had a Who We Are post about teaching kids to sew, but maybe there are other people who would relish the gift of sewing with us too: seniors who know how to sew but maybe need help with threading needles due to failing eyes, or women in shelters who are rebuilding their lives and remaking what constitutes “home” for them, and many others. Teaching pets to sew their own toys or bedding might be a bridge too far, but then again, there are lots of creative people around: maybe you can think of a way! Share your thoughts about experiencing the act of sewing as a gift below.
Anne is a conference planner by day, and an occasional knitting designer by night. You can follow her yarn- and dog-related obsessions on Instagram at @anniebeeknits. (She and her husband adopted a rescue dog a year ago, and she might be a little overzealous with the dog photos. You’ve been warned.) Anne is also the lead of the copy-editing team here at the Sewcialists, and, as Gillian’s older sister, the lucky recipient of MANY sewn gifts!
These dolls are so sweet! And what a satisfying first project – now wonder she thought it was fun!
I taught children to sew when I had mine in elementary school. Of course, also in girl scouts. I taught the mom’s in the school how to sew Halloween bags and how to make auction quilts for their classrooms. I have worked with the neighbor girl since she was 5, sewing everything from dog beds to clothes. I taught my sons to costume and survived my daughter’s “designing” years. (When I’d find my quilt piecings on the floor and her friends happily cutting & pinning away in my sewing room!) It is a real gift and if no one around them sews, you seem to know MAGIC. I like to empower young people who might not think they are “artistic” that there is anything you can imagine from thread and needle from sewing your own button back on, redecorate your room to making whatever is on your mind. I hope others try it if you haven’t yet! This was a great example of gearing the experience to the student. Thanks!
It really is magic to the uninitiated, isn’t it? How fantastic that your kids (and their friends) had all those opportunities to learn with you. What a tremendous gift you’ve given them!
Annie I’m late to reading this but what a lovely lovely story and introduction to sewing for Wee A. I’m sure the dolls mean so much more to her because she put love and care into them herself as well. Thanks for sharing, I loved reading this and seeing the pictures!