Detail of “Little Red Schoolhouse Quilt” from Prairie Children and Their Quilts
Just a few weeks to go—school’s almost in session! As a mom to two boys (ages 4 and 8), I involuntarily grow a ball of nervous energy in my tummy when I think about their first day of school. New teachers, new classrooms, new rules. Will they fit in? Will they have fun? Will they follow said rules? (One can only hope.)
In addition to new clothes and shoes, I start off a school year with something handmade, from me to the boys, to celebrate the occasion. This year Charlie is headed to a new preschool, and I’m making a small stuffie (a security stuffie, if you will) for his backpack. Jack and I are tag-teaming a project this year—a simple satchel featuring Jack’s own Batman embroidery. More marker than stitches right now (he insisted on permanent and black), but he’s caught the stitching bug.
There’s still plenty of time to send the little ones you know (or the big ones!) off to school with an item sewn just for them. Send them packing—whether for the day or for the semester—with something that connects them back to home. After all, it’s where their heart is.
And remember, you can make most any of the projects below for boys; simply ask the recipient about his favorite colors. (Jack’s is purple; Charlie’s is rainbow.)
Bring on the new school year!
