I've been waiting for this

I've been expecting this for a while now. But like many other things in parenting, home education and life, I knew all I could do was to 'leave the door open,' wait for him to come to me, and then guide ever-so slowly and patiently. And let him to take the lead. So, earlier this week, when Calvin came to me with a drawing of a costume (in the foreground of the photo), and said, "I want to make this," I was rather caught off guard. Half-thinking, and half on parenting auto-pilot, I said, 'Well, lets eat breakfast first. And then I told Ezra we'd paint. And then..(blah blah blah)...and so maybe tonight when you go to sleep I could work on it, or Saturday afternoon might be better."

"No, Mama. I want to make this. I want to sew it. I drew a picture of it, and I looked at the costume book, and I know I can do it."

"Oh. Oh! YOU want to sew it! Oh! Well, you could do that. I could get you set up for that this morning", I sputtered out as I quickly gathered my wits and slowed down my excitement before it turned him off from the idea completely.

So that's what we did. I brought down my old sewing machine, and plopped it right down on the same table where it had lived for years before I had my studio, where I sewed with it day in and day out of his early years as a babe. The same machine that my grandmother gave to me, and on the same table that my great grandmother - a seamstress herself - sewed every single day. His great - great grandmother.

And then before I got swept up in a sentimental ride of it all, I was brought right back down to reality by a six year old learning something new. Needles to thread. And rethread. A baby to keep occupied (by 'helping' with scissors and pins, naturally). And as little explaining as I could manage to give from my corner of the room where I chewed my fingers like a nervous mother, where I worried that clothing might not be the best 'first' sewing project. But I know this little guy well enough to know that too much instruction will completely turn him off (hmmn...I don't know where he gets that), and that he wouldn't begin to attempt something until he'd studied, watched and thought about it a good deal already. Which apparently is just what he's been doing, because he really did know just what to do. He traced a tunic he wanted for the shape, pinned it together, and asked me to 'draw a line' where the sewing should be (a brilliant idea, I thought), and then...he had a costume.

But, being that one tunic does not a theatre troupe make, he went right to work on one for his brother (Tiger Lily and Wendy, in case you're wondering).

And then back to the machine to make one for his sister, with excitement, pride, and creative energy pouring out of him. And so it appears that this sewing machine is going to have a home in this little corner of our home once again. Oh, this could be fun...

Comments

[Eren]

What a wonderful post to start my morning off. A wonderful reminder of how to gently guide the wee ones without pushing, or screaming in excitement, or (all of the other things we do to turn their little brains off). I hope their is much more like this in your book.

Happy Wednesday!

[posy]

Dear Calvin,
I think you are a very clever boy to make your own costume,and also a very kind boy to make one for your brother and sister. Your costume looks great and I hope you will think about doing another one soon as I would love to see it.
Well done for trying something new!
Love from
Jane

[bellablue]

Oh, I cannot wait to see what else he comes up with!!!!! I adore the top photo of him, btw. xox

[heather]

oh, amanda. six is just perfect, leave it to calvin know that! this was beautiful to read as it is one of my favorite things to do with emily, there is so much joy in these moments. (and yes, nervous mama's chewing there fingers in the corner, and at times a bit of twitching!) i see a complete re-vamp of your costume wardrobe in calvin's future...and how cute that he was willing to make one for his brother...i'll stop babbling now, this just felt very close to home, thank you... do you have See and Sew by Tina Davis?

[colleen]

i read this post as if it were the novel i just couldn't put down. calvin is....sublime.

[nina]

this just made my day! glad he's putting the costume book to such amazing use!

[Carmen]

Calvin, you are one amazing little dude!

[Katherine]

That's wonderful! I think the thing I miss most about being a child is learning new craft skills with my mum.

I love that he made costumes for the other two as well - the bottom photograph makes him look like he's a natural.

[jean]

Wow. I heart homeschooling soooo much. He can do this all the day long if he likes. Fantastico.

[lera]

Oh, it does sound like fun! What a neat little guy to want to learn and be like his mama. You must be very proud.

[Lisa]

way to go! What a creative little guy - just like his mom!

[Qalballah]

Man, he's better than ME!

[Robyn]

That is really wonderful! Calvin, your tunics look great!

[Viv]

How fantastic ~ you must be proud! I'm looking forward to when my daughter is old enough to use a machine. In the meantime, at three years old she made a dress out of felt and tape, with armholes and everything. :-)

[amisha]

what a wonderful story... a beautiful moment! i love the history in the sewing machine and table, too. thanks for sharing this loveliness this morning :)

[LauraJ]

oohhh how sweet! I can't wait to see his first quilt!!

[Jennifer]

I love that he is doing his own costuming! Brilliant! 3 tunics...just fabulous!

[stephanie]

oh, what a milestone!! very exciting! congrats to all involved!!!

[brandie]

awesome amanda! and such a lovely setting. the line idea is brilliant...will have to steal that one.

[Christelle]

Bravo :)

[Kelly]

Absolutely lovely, Calvin! My sons first sewing project,was a "dinner jacket", for his little sister...my heart still swells, when I think of it! Amazing babes! I love it!

[Alicia A.]

Yay, Yay, Calvin. You are the most creative boy I (almost) know!

I love the yellow tunic. You did a GREAT job!

[Julie]

What a beautiful post...you must be a proud mama!

I have been dreaming of purchasing a sewing machine for myself and this makes me think "what are you waiting for?"...

[meredebluebelle]

Oh my goodness, I'm teary-eyed here! How beautiful that this little boy is learning something that will enrich the rest of his life...

[Melissa]

Awesome job!

[UNIFORM Studio]

This is amazing! Are you sure he isn't 12?!?
ok -you have convinced me -my 6 year old is ready. He sits and watches patiently, asking so many questions....but I have been afraid to let him try. Your guy is a bit more coordinated I think....but oh, well. It's time.
One question -how does he reach the foot pedal?

[Tania Ho]

wow, how you must be proud :) well done, Calvin !

[beccy]

I've been lurking here a while but had to comment today. What a wonderful post how proud you must feel to see the influence you've had over your son and how you have inspired him to get creative!

[Mama Urchin]

Sounds like a wonderful moment. We'll be watching for his etsy shop soon.

[Wendy]

I was also going to suggest See and Sew (I saw that Edith and Edna carries it). Fantastic job Calvin!! And you can imagine how important I feel it is that you have included a costume for Wendy in your plans...

[katie]

Wow. Simply brilliant. What a wonderful lineage of sewers -- and its newest member, Calvin -- huzzah!

[Sarah]

What an adorable post first thing in the morning! Calvin sure does impress me (as well as many others it seems). He set out to create his first sewn object (a garment no less) and came out with three. And they fit! If only I were so brave.

I think when you archive this year's book, you may just have to include some of these comments for him!

[tamara in melbourne, australia]

Oh wow. Wow!
In so many ways.

[Beth]

Great work, Calvin!

One of my favorite projects when teaching first grade was when we created quilts... Parents seemed shocked that kids could use the sewing machine and create amazing works of art like this and I am still shocked that they were shocked! It just seems so natural and, well, fun!

[Jen Leheny]

oh your heart must have just about BURST with pride! what a moment! treasure it. My son has just turned six and I know he will want to take a turn on my machine soon. It fills me with excitement and trepidation both at once! :)

[tanaya]

Way to go Calvin!!!

(maybe one day I can come over and you could show me how to do that...my projects never come out that well!)

[esmerelda]

Oh, my! My heart is overflowing with the innocent determination of children - anything can be achieved with patience, and it is only when grown ups tell us we cannot do something that we doubt that things are possible. You are an exemplary mother, and you must be ever so proud of your wee ones.

Calvin, you are a superstar.

[hannah]

way to go calvin!

[Jessica]

Oh my gosh! THAT IS SO AWESOME! Nice job, Calvin!!!

[Sugar Creek Farm]

Aww, that is just the sweetest thing. Too cool!

[Jess]

This made me cry. What an amazing family you have!

[jesica dehart]

I remember when my mom let me use her sewing machine for the first time, probably about the same age as Calvin, and how special it was and how it has stayed with me as I continue to sew. Now my babes sew at my feet and my three year old is just starting to ask to sew pieces of felt together with needle and embroidery floss. I love looking down at him in such concentration and hope to have a day like you have just had with my two some day too. There is something so amazing about hand making things for your children but even more so is passing on the love of making their own things. What a day of celebration and thank you for sharing!

[abbyjane]

So great. And entertaining the baby with scissors and pins -I know the tune of that song!

[rebekah]

My goodness, I almost started crying with the idea of it. Congratulations, and wow, and how lovely.

[jen]

I have a six and a 5 year old interested in sewing as well...how do you know he won;t sew his fingers??!! That's my bigest fear...good luck!

[Courtney]

all I can say is WOW...

[Beth TigerMoon]

How wonderful is that?!

[Sharon]

How wonderful to have a mom like you--so willing to help! And understand about the "not directing too much"! He is so clever to ask about drawing lines for where he should sew! I think it's great for a child to maintain his fearlessness about trying new things.

[your pal Lily]

Dear Calvin,

I saw you doing the sewing machine. I am so proud of you! Was it hard to make? I just learned how to sew on the sewing machine too! Great job on your sewing!

Love, Lily

[Heather]

Be still my heart! My oldest is 4 and I can't wait until she comes to me with a plan someday.
What an inspiration to continue to model art/craft/everyday life for our children.