Wow, it’s been a hot week for most of us across much of the country. Like many, we went camping over the Labour Day weekend here in Victoria, and we were sweltering for most of it. Amongst what felt a bit like ‘survivor’ we swam in the river and surf, did some nature journaling and played board games.
While there is always so much to pack – and unpack! – when camping, I always try to take a bit of sewing with me with to do with the little campers. Each time I pull out the fabric scraps and threads and see the anticipation and interest from the kids I’m glad I packed it.
So often we can make sewing to be a bigger thing in our minds than it has to be. It doesn’t have to be a large project, with lots of supplies, instructions, and time invested.
Sewing can be one of the simplest activities if we just allow it to be. Kids love sewing but we can get caught up thinking that it has to:
It doesn’t!
We can all do it. If we let go of our perfectionism, and pull back on the over-engineering, we can reap the rewards of a beautiful mindful activity.
I took minimal supplies; a stack of felt scraps, scissors, needles and threads, a chalk pencil and a $2 sewing activity book found at the Op Shop. This provided the kids with hours of enjoyment. With simple running stitches they sewed bookmarks, finger puppets, storage pockets and felt characters over 3 days. I love seeing the focus and joy on the kid’s faces as they sew, and the pride and satisfaction on finishing.
I love being reminded that kids don’t need a whole lot to have fun; whether it’s a toddler paddling in a river, kids jumping waves in the surf, imaginary play with a cardboard box or stitching your name with a needle and thread, what matters is the play in the present moment, not the outcome or product.
