Sewing with Boys

My dear husband took this picture. He thinks only the subject matters, not the background or a wadded up, dirty shirt.

Recently, when grandchildren Robert and Laurel spent the night, each wanted a sewing project. Laurel, 7, made a sleeping bag for her American Girls doll Kit and Robert, 5, embroidered this apron.

Again and again I am so thankful that I have some blanks on hand for these spontaneous bursts of sewing enthusiasm. For some time now, this denim apron had been lying in wait for its big chance to make a little boy happy.  And it did.

Robert was allllll about working up the embroidery design in PE-Design. Like most children of his era, he seems to have been upgraded at birth with a computer chip that makes him compatible with anything that sports a screen.

As soon as he selected the design, he said he wanted to add text. In a flash our little flag football player had typed in Football Kid! insisting that the exclamation mark was justified by his love of the sport. Throughout the past year, his first grade homeschool curriculum (Calvert) has taught proper punctuation and the different kinds of sentences. So he was certain that it was correct usage.

He enjoyed selecting the fabric for his design and was fascinated by the applique’ process. Using my curved machine embroidery snips, he cut away the fabric up to the stitching line and marveled at the unusual shape and placement against the fabric. When the satin stitch covered the raw edge, he thought that was “so cool, Nana!” I loved seeing his delight.

Chef Robert at work with his assistant, Laurel, who apparently needs to embroider an apron for herself. Next time at Nana’s…..

His mother spends a good bit of time in the kitchen with the children, instructing them about measurements and reading directions. They still can’t cook a meal, like June Mellinger’s grandchildren but I’m hoping soon I can stay out of the kitchen when they are here. Well, maybe in a few years………

Boys like to sew–that’s the truth. One big reason is the sewing machine, which fascinates them. About a hundred years ago when my brand new Bernina 930 was taken out of the box, my 9 year old son (Robert’s father) couldn’t keep his hands off of it.

After blocking Ryan’s touchy-feely exploratory efforts long enough for me to check the new machine out, I helped him make a small drawstring bag to hang on the front of his bicycle. He was so proud—just as proud as Robert is of this apron.

Tomorrow, will be decorating cupcakes for his birthday party in my kitchen. I bet he will bring his Football Kid! apron.

Have you ever sewn with a little guy? I’d love to hear about your projects.