Wednesday, November 28, 2012

When Industrialization Nails the Past......



The way we live today is a far cry from how life was lived just a century ago and our values have shifted accordingly.  Gone are the days when girls were expected to learn needlecraft as part of the basic skills for entering womanhood and motherhood, wives mended the families clothes, and some creative housewives put their dexterity to the test and made clothes for their offspring.

Industrialization and mass production has rendered sewing for the family obsolete as it works out cheaper to buy clothes off the peg than to have them home/custom-made.  Due to the low popularity sewing currently enjoys, possessing the ability do basic sewing has become almost obsolete and many individuals have no option but to turn to other people when even the most basic sewing tasks arise.  This service does not always carry a low price tag as people who may have had to go this route will most likely testify.

Sewing is just one of those skills that always comes in handy; from replacing that missing button, to putting in that necessary stitch before the gap grows beyond self-help, to making a little craft item.  Watching fabric come to life can be as exciting as watching seeds sprout, grow, and bear fruit.  The transformation from fabric to item is therapeutic and the results can be as unique as one would like.

My personal opinion is that there is a need to teach miniscule doses of sewing skills to young folk as a necessary right of passage so they as independent folk can bask proudly in the spirit of self-help when faced with minor sewing related challenges.......independence is power!

Remember to read my next post which will explain my purpose and shed some light on the a bit of my background.  In the meantime, you're welcome to share your thoughts on the above subject. 

"The greatest disservice to our youth lies in not imparting the skills we have acquired along the way, for the grave has no use for them."   
Patience Kodua (November 28, 2012)