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Is Sewing A Lost Art?

Mar. 6, 2012 8:18 am

Updated: May 22, 2012 6:47 am

What happened to teaching kids how to sew and cook in school? Is sewing a lost art? Nowadays, at least here in the local schools home economics isn't offered anymore. Sewing is a skill that has been part of my life since I was young. I was first introduced to sewing when I was around 8 or 9. My Grandma would sew cute outfits for me. Later on, she taught me basic sewing skills. Then, when I took sewing in high school I made my prom dress. When I got married I made my wedding dress. So, when my 3 year old Granddaughter needed to dress up as Mary Had a Little Lamb, I jumped at the chance to make her a cute pinafore.

I have used my sewing skills to make numerous sewing projects from aprons, to drapes, and even fuzzy bears. It was a skill worth knowing.

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Jayashiangel

Mar. 6, 2012 8:39 am

The reason it's a dying art just like crocheting is because you can just buy ready made items...as well as people today can't even cook from scratch. When I was younger we played outside for hours but now kids play on video games for hours...

Lela

Mar. 6, 2012 8:43 am

Jayahiangel-Oh so true.

Cat Hill-Want2B Gardening

Mar. 6, 2012 10:01 am

What a cutie! My Mom could sew anything! She knew all the tricks but she didn't pass any of that on to me. Jayashiangel sure has a point with what she said.

Chef Luigi

Mar. 6, 2012 10:11 am

Good Day Lela! It inspires me to see someone in the states writing about sewing. Sewing, knitting and home based skills are essential fundamentals for children in Moldova. Over the years I have carried and bought several dozen sewing machines, knitting machines, and other assorted bits and bobs relating to sewing to my community centre and school. Without these skills many would literally go without clothes. I've put out pleas through the BBC on several occasions to find more machines and particularly material and supplies. One lady, bless her socks, was volunteered by her mother! She lived 300 miles away from me and I met her for the first time at 3AM in her parents sitting room when I picked her up to take her to Heathrow Airport for the 14 hour journey into the unknown. Today she's a regular. Her first early steps among my children were amazing because as she discovered the children she began to discover herself. A severe trauma she had experienced as a young lady finally left her. She saw how my children coped from their traumas which helped her deal with her own. And from this an amazing bond was created among them. I'm sad to see that these skills in the states no longer have priority in schools as they also build important social skills. Thank you for sharing your post! Fr. Bill+ [] http://bigworldsmallboat.blogspot.com/2007/05/angels-among-us.html

Jena

Mar. 6, 2012 10:16 am

That Pinafore is fantastic! How cute! My youngest daughter has always loved to sew. I think she gets it from my MIL who had no choice but to make her kids' clothes. I'm lucky if I can sew on a button! I agree about how sad that many of the "life skills" classes are being cut out of our schools.

Amanda

Mar. 6, 2012 11:35 am

I'm starting to learn to sew, and am fortunate that my friends are interested too. Didn't think to take home ec in high school, and now I wish I had, but fortunately my mom is still around to teach me.

Gitano

Mar. 6, 2012 12:55 pm

Sewing is a lost art...not really an art, how about a needed skill? You needed to know how to sew and make clothes way back before the Wal-marts and Targets of this world made it so 'convenient', but with that convenience comes CHEAP QUALITY....how many times have you bought a 5.00 t-shirt from Wal-mart only to see it last 2 washes and it falls apart? Made in Bangladesh or Vietnam or wherever.... I learned to sew from my mom and grandmother, as well as the home ec classes from Grades 7,8 and 9. I tried in vain to teach my daughter to sew, but like some people that can't garden and have brown thumbs, my daughter has thimble-less thumbs and can barely sew a button on...much to my disappointment! In any event, I keep on sewing, making draperies, clothing, home decor items and more. It is WAY cheaper and I know it will LAST a heck of a lot longer! Great blog topic!

Lela

Mar. 6, 2012 4:35 pm

Hi Cathill. I was amazed at all the sewing tips I got from my Grandma, as I am sure your Mom knew a lot of secrets and shortcut, too.

Lela

Mar. 6, 2012 4:43 pm

Hi, Jena. Thanks for the compliment. I loved it when my Granddaughter twirled around in her outfit. She loved her pinafore. That's great your daughter picked up sewing skills.

KingSparta

Mar. 6, 2012 4:44 pm

when I was a Kid I had to sew up my own socks so I would have something to put on my feet, and go to school. Since then, and I moved away from home If a sock gets thin I toss it and buy new. Since I was the only one that sewed out of use three kids, My mom gave me her sewing machine. I also have Knitted, and crocheted at times.

Lela

Mar. 6, 2012 4:50 pm

Hi, KingSparta. You are so talented. I can't see any of the kids now darning their socks. When my Mother-in-Law passed away ,I inherited her sewing basket. Thimbles, pinking shears a pin cushion bracelet that I have put to good use.

Lela

Mar. 6, 2012 4:52 pm

Amanda, you are indeed lucky that you can ask your mom questions. The fact that you have friends who like to sew is a good support system for you. Thanks for stopping by.

Lela

Mar. 6, 2012 5:00 pm

Hi Father Bill. How wonderful that you helped so many with life skills that they need in Modova. I am sure all the hard work and gathering all the items needed to sew along with sewing machines was much appreciated. Have a nice day Father!

Lela

Mar. 6, 2012 5:13 pm

Hello, Gitano. Keep on sewing! I love sewing home decor items. I made a shower curtain, large fluffy pillows, swags, etc. Also, you are right about the quality of some clothing in the stores you mentioned. I can't count how many shirts, pants, coats, dresses, and even football jerseys that I had to mend for my family.

Raedwulf

Mar. 6, 2012 6:22 pm

I don't really know how to sew but that hasn't stopped me from repairing my own work clothes dozens and dozens of times. I actually enjoy doing that, replacing buttons, folding edges for patches, a million little stitches. I don't think I want to know anymore than that but I do enjoy it from time to time.

Candice

Mar. 6, 2012 8:14 pm

Oh my goodness, your Granddaughter is just adorable! That dark hair against the pink pinafore.... just precious! I know what you mean. I have 3 grown girls and none of them sew. I tried to teach them, but all three had other interests. What's so ironic though is, they're always asking me to mend a zippers, sew on buttons, take in (or let out) a seem or hem a new pair of jeans. Yes, it's a lost art indeed.

Lela

Mar. 7, 2012 3:51 am

Raedwulf-how wonderful that you can repair your work clothes. I have added patches to so many of my husband's work clothes. Nice seeing you here.

Lela

Mar. 7, 2012 3:54 am

Hi Candace. My granddaughter is my Sugar Dolly. Thanks for the compliments. My daughter can sew, but since she is presently working full time, she doesn't have much time to make anything. I am usually the one to hem her pants, etc.

Barb

Mar. 7, 2012 6:28 am

I don't have children so I am not completely up to date on what classes are in school. I am sad to read home economics is a thing of the past. In high school I took cooking, which is how I learned since my Mom didn't cook well. I also took typing, which I am so glad I did. I wanted to take sewing but class was full and I never got the opportunity. However, in my 30's I met a lady who turned to be a very good friend who made her own clothes when she was a child and she learned from her mother. She is an ingredible sewer, she made her own suits for work when she was an accountant. I got the privlege of her teaching me to sew. I have since made a few things and really came into a love for new hobbies. I wish children these days would put down all the electronics and really use their mind to create beautiful things, whether it be clothing, food or maybe a piece of jewelry. How times change.

Lela

Mar. 7, 2012 6:41 am

Barb, having someone teach you how to sew is wonderful. I had my Grandma who showed me so many things. You are right-times have changed.

petey

Mar. 7, 2012 9:20 am

It seems that most people have lost the knowledge or ambition to do ANYthing for themselves. We are such an instant gratification culture, people would rather leave their kids in childcare and go to work so they can buy something cheaply made, in China.

Father Bill

Mar. 7, 2012 10:03 am

Thank you Lela! I just wish you could come teach for us this summer! We're in desperate need of teachers for the children! Nevertheless, it's lovely to see the talent you possess being shared with your Granddaughter. Not only will she retain the skill, YOU will remain with her throughout her life! That is a true gift! Fr Bill+

Lela

Mar. 7, 2012 7:48 pm

Petey-Hi. I am always amazed when I read your blog on how self-sufficient you are. It seems everything is made in China these days.

Lela

Mar. 7, 2012 8:18 pm

Father Bill, my granddaughter and I have a special bond. She definitely brightens up my day. I thought when I retired from teaching, I would have all this time on my hands. I take my granddaughter to preschool. Then, I volunteer 3 days a week in my daughter's classroom, helping her students. Thanks for the teaching offer, though.

TwoSweetPickles

Mar. 9, 2012 2:30 pm

I learned how to sew in 4-H and from my grandmother, but I don't do it. Don't care to and never enjoyed it. I never thought of it as a skill I needed. I taught myself to knit and do love that!

Lela

Mar. 9, 2012 5:44 pm

TwoSweet-Hello! My Grandma sewed, knitted and crocheted. She tried to teach me how to knit. I was left-handed and she would sit me across from her to teach me some techniques. I just didn't get the hang of it. So you are lucky you can knit and taught yourself!

TwoSweetPickles

Mar. 10, 2012 9:13 am

I'm left-handed too, but fortunately I can do most things right-handed, so I just taught myself that way. My daughter was 12 or so at the time and we actually taught ourselves together. She's almost 20 now and still knits, maybe more than I do!

Lela

Mar. 10, 2012 10:16 am

Two Sweet-you are so inspiring. Maybe, now that I am soooo many years wiser and older-I will have to try knitting.

Quick-Dinner Sue

Mar. 12, 2012 1:30 pm

The pinafore is great! I find the computer takes up way too much time and leaves me with little to show for it. Last weekend I covered an antique wicker chair cushion. I took off 5 layers of previous seamstresses coverings (must have been 80 years worth of old fabric). My family suggested sending it to an upholstery shop. Come-on, how hard is making a pillow cover? They just don't learn those skills these days. I'm proud of how it turned out and the only cost was the fabric and time.

Lela

Mar. 12, 2012 9:22 pm

Quick-Dinner Sue-you have skills girl. You saved a ton of money by doing it yourself. Keep on Sewing Sue!

Grammy

Mar. 15, 2012 12:16 pm

You are right. My daughter did not want to learn to sew. She was more interested in "shop". She called me and was so excited; she said she learned to sew. She could sew a button on.

Grammy

Mar. 15, 2012 12:18 pm

addition: I learned to sew young also and I love to sew. I made some of my children's close when they were home. Now I just sew things.

Lela

Mar. 15, 2012 7:27 pm

Grammy, Hi how are you? Sewing is a skill I am sure you have used your entire life. I would say that it is a skill I am glad that I have and love. Nice seeing you here.

JPaul

May 12, 2012 5:43 am

When I was in school- too busy to learn to sew. Saw PBS quilting show and WOW I threw myself into it and I have had a great ride. Then I noticed that younger people wanted to know how to do that also. WOW! This she-who-knows-a-little gets to teach crochet, knitting, quilting, sewing and locker-hooping (this is so cool---uses leftover material or cut up old clothes). Life has new doors just waiting to be opened. What do you know that I don't and you can teach me? :}

Lela

May 22, 2012 6:47 am

JPaul-I just noticed you posted a comment here. It sounds like you have a creative knack and to share with others the knowledge you possess is truly a gift for those who want to learn the craft of knitting to sewing. Thanks for reading my blog.

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Lela

Home Town
Pueblo, Colorado, USA

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Pueblo West, Colorado, USA

Member Since
Nov. 2009

Cooking Level
Intermediate

Cooking Interests
Baking, Frying, Slow Cooking, Mexican, Italian

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Sewing, Hiking/Camping, Walking

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About Me

I am family oriented and spend a lot of time with my family enjoying sit down dinners. I love cooking and baking for the holidays.

My favorite things to cook
I am family oriented and spend time with my family enjoying meals. My favorite things to cook are Mexican food and any food my family asks me to cook. My family looks forward to home cooked Mexican food at least once a week and Italian food.

My favorite family cooking traditions
I am on a journey to reclaim family recipes that were lost when the cooks in my family passed away. Cooking traditions are a major part of my passion for cooking. On Christmas Eve, we always had green chili and tamales. Cookie baking, lemon bars, pizzelles , and potica have been a must at Christmas as long as I can remember. My family looks forward to homemade pizza, when we gather as a family to decorate the Christmas cookies. Thanksgiving wouldn't be Thanksgiving without noodles and gravy piled high on mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and broccoli and rice casserole. On the 4th of July, there is the 4th of July Potato Salad that I make using 10 pounds of potatoes. Mexican Food is part of our weekly menu--green chili served over mashed potatoes or as a slopper (green chili poured over hamburgers.) I am always making tortillas for someone. They call my tortillas little white pieces of gold. Saturdays are Family night for dinner. It is the one day my kids can request a meal.

My cooking triumphs
Seeking help on the Buzz and the AR Blog has resulted in a few triumphs. I am extremely ecstatic about overcoming the yeast monster. I can now bake baguettes, focaccia and the best rolls in the world, my Grandma Rita's Butter Rolls.

My cooking tragedies
My first attempts at baking bread/rolls resulted in rock hard flat rolls. However, I am improving. Baking at High Altitude is somewhat of a challenge.

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