It is never too young to start a creative career:
In the Northern Hemisphere, summer vacation time will shortly be here. If you have the opportunity, this is a great time to stitch (thus starting the “itch to stitch”) with the younger members of your family.
Grandma Marlene definitely had a great time introducing her grandchildren to stitching. The children had fun too and Meghan and Chloe have continued to stitch.
Meghan and Georgina both aged 3
The boys enjoyed it as much as the girls.
Marlene suggests that you prepare for each child a piece of suitable fabric and a 6″ – 8″ hoop. Cut 30″ lengths (3 pulls from the skein) of several to many colours of Floss. Thread each of them into a Chenille needle and knot both ends together so that the needle will not come un-threaded during stitching. Place all the needles in a pincushion and let the children choose the colour they wish to work with.
This is how I caught the “Itch to Stitch” About the age of 6 years, my grandmother was caring for me. She provided fabric and threads and I made an eggcosy. This is like a teacosy but is sized for a soft boiled egg. When I was old enough to not lose it, she gave it to me. The embroidery stitching and design were just like those of Marlene’s grandchildren. At the age of 10 years, an aunt gave me a cushion cover kit. It was a Jacobean design, good quality fabric, thick Penelope wool thread and instructions. I stitched it; it turned out OK and won First Prize at the Adult Embroidery Section at Cartmel Fair. I was hooked! My father used that cushion for years until it was totally worn out. Unfortunately, the eggcosy got lost in house moves or you would see a picture of it here.
Meghan produced the following piece during her Kindergarten year.
Both she and her teacher were delighted with it.
Mary Corbett of Needlenthread.com is writing a series on embroidery classes for children. There are three levels, ages 9 – 11, 12 – 13 and 13 – 15 years. She is teaching the participants specific embroidery stitches.
The next post will show you Chloe’s stitching career to date.
What a lovely blog post Ann! Yes, my grandma was real gem too. I inherited her tin with floss when she could sadly no longer see well enough to stitch. She has been dead for many years now, but I still use the tin and her floss!
Jessica, Thank you so much for your comment and memory of your grandma. She sounds really special. Mine was a very special lady who cared for me in important years and always accepted me and my unusual interests. Grandmas are a very special blessing in any child’s, every child’s life. Thank you to all the grandmas out there. You are needed and appreciated.