The Importance of Doing It Yourself

Jennifer Burns

I remember a quilt my sister had when she was a baby. It was pale white and yellow, with white lace trim, and, along with a pillow I gave her when she was born, she took it everywhere she went as a baby and toddler. It was her blankie. It didn't have fancy stitching, I think it was just plain cotton with no batting, and the lace was the simple stuff you get in the bargain bin of the craft store. But, it was made with love. And my sister poured love right back into it.

Fast-forward 23 years, and my son has the same affinity with another blanket. This one was actually bought for me while I was pregnant with him, but was bought for me by my husband. It's fleece, it's way too hot in the summer, and it's not as soft and snuggly as it used to be. My son loves it, and drags it everywhere he goes.

The difference? The fleece blanket is starting to get holes in it, and my son is only 17 months old. My sisters quilt didn't start getting holes in it until she was around three. Do I think the fabric had something to do with it? Of course! Fleece isn't as sturdy as straight up cotton, due to the structure of the fabric itself. But, it feels as if handmade items demand to be taken care of in a way that store-bought items don't.

Handmade isn't always better. Sometimes, it can be downright horrible. But, overall, anything you can buy in the store can be made at home, sometimes for a fraction of the price.

That doesn't mean that you have to start from scratch, weaving your own fabric. Making a homemade toddler dress can be as simple as taking an old sweater from your closet, making a few modifications, and sewing it together. Voila, an old, unused sweater brought back to life, and a little girl gets a cute new dress. The same can be done for hats and gloves (for adults, as well), if one has the inclination to spend some time to learn how to get it right.

I grew up poor, but I didn't know it until other kids pointed it out when I got to about 2^nd grade (because I got free lunch, not because I looked shabby). Until that point, I reveled in the handmade dresses, dolls, hats, toys, and bedding that my mother, grandmother, and aunts made for my sisters and I, and never knew anything different. Between handmade goods and used goods bought through Goodwill, I never felt poor, and never went without. I had toys, I had books, I had craft material, I had dress-up clothes, and I sometimes had more than the kids who had all-new toys had.

Now, I'm a mother, and it's my job to pass the DIY spirit on to my children. They both have clothing, toys, and accessories that I have hand-made for them, and I even sell a little from time to time at farmers markets and online. Not ony that, but my kids are always there to “help”, which usually means tangling up the yarn or thread I haven't used yet or ripping the paper or fabric I'm working with. But, I always buy a LOT extra in case I mess up anyway, so it's not a waste. They're learning, they're becoming creative, and they're enjoying being with me. Sometimes, that matters a lot more to kids than how much you give them. When they grow up, they won't remember all the little things they had, although they will remember a few. What they'll remember more is the time they spent with you.