The life and times of the Redding family.

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Learning to Cross-stitch

In dull company and in dull weather...it is ill manners to read; it is ill manners to leave them; no card playing there among genteel people... The needle is then a valuable resource.
-Thomas Jefferson to his daughter Martha 1787

At our weekly co-op group I began to teach the young ladies to do counted cross-stitch. This was a new skill for most of those involved except my Sarah. I explained the charts, the books, the numbers on the floss, the strands of floss and how many to use, the type of needle to use, and the technique. I found a simple pattern to download from www.craftdesigns4you.com. This was a free pattern with a cross at the top and the words "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me". Philippians 4:13. This was a very fitting verse. I got them all started and they were making good progress when our time ended. The girls will bring their crosses back next week. If they have any problems I will help them then. I will continue to work with them on cross-stitch until they are able to do some simple gifts and have the skill firmly in place. I would like my daughters to have several skills to occupy their hands and feel the sense of accomplishment that comes from making something beautiful. If they learn to enjoy handwork and reading they will never be bored.

I enjoy the time I get to spend with these sweet spirited young ladies and their mothers. These young ladies will be so much better equipped to be wives and mothers than most.

My mother was a wonderful teacher for me even though she was not a stay at home mother. She taught me to cook, sew, crochet, embroider, work in the garden, can food, enjoy reading, and to do other crafts. My mother taught me to work hard and to serve others and these have been very valuable lessons.

I spent much of my life at home with my little ones and many times without a car during the day. The skills I learned as a girl helped me to take care of my family and enjoy my time at home even more. I can cross-stitching and do other crafts while nursing babies, read books while nursing babies, homeschool while nursing babies, cook supper while nursing babies, and grocery shop while nursing a baby with a few children in tow. Now I have two free hands, no nursing babies, and only 7 children at home. Does it sound like a vacation?

1 comment:

tootlepip said...

How nice that you are able to teach others the skills you have learned. It was good to chat with you last night too!