Today needlework is almost a lost art. It isn’t required in modern homemaking, yet many homemakers still have the desire to create something for their families whether it be sewing a dress for their daughter, crocheting a blanket to throw over the back of the couch or cross-stitching a favorite Bible verse to adorn her wall.
Where can a woman learn such arts if there is no one around to teach? I would start with your local home school group, there may be women there with hidden talents they haven’t used in many years! You might also try the 4-H group in your area. The one we were part of had ladies who were proficient in many stitching arts and enjoyed sharing their knowledge. Also, ask the older women in your church, many learned these skills as young girls.
If real life teachers can’t be found, you can actually find videos that will teach you a myriad of handicrafts, from cross-stitch to quilting, or embroidery to tatting. Homemakers Academy, the site I set up for the Homemaking Course, will soon have these type of tutorials open to new members! (More to come later)
Here is a list of the most common handicrafts:
- Calligraphy
- Canvas work
- Cross-stitch
- Crochet
- Embroidery
- Felting
- Knitting
- Lace-making
- Embossing
- Luce
- Macrame
- Millinery (hat making)
- Needlepoint
- Quilling
- Quilting
- Ribbon embroidery
- Rubber stamping
- Rug making
- Sewing
- Smocking
- Spinning
- String art
- Tapestry
- Tatting
- Weaving
Leave a comment below, which of these are you skilled in? Would you teach others if there was a desire? What can you add to this list? What craft would you like to learn?
For pinning:
I love to knit, crochet, and sew thing for my family and as gifts.
Oh I love to sew, cross stitch and crochet! I’ve always wanted to learn more about knitting and embroidery. It’s been a great joy to teach my young daughters (now ages 9 and 7) how to sew and watch them enjoy using the creativity and skills the Lord has blessed them with. I mainly sew dresses and skirts for my girls but we recently got into quilting and that has been super fun! It’s interesting that even though many of the items on your list seem to be a “lost art” many people are rediscovering the delight it brings to create something with your hands and bless others. Sewing is sometimes a necessity to find outfits for my girls that fit well and make them look like young girls. 🙂
For my niece’s birthday, she is having a sleepover at our house with my oldest daughter and I’m going to teach her to sew on a machine. Looking forward to that time just with her and my daughter. We love video tutorials on YouTube. Can’t wait to see what you have in store for the Homemakers Academy!
This post leaves me inspired to be more creative! I crochet some but would really love to learn how to sew. My mother, mother-in-law and sister all see and quilt and I’m sure they’d teach me if I asked. I tried it in home ec when I was younger but didn’t enjoy it and felt like I did a horrible job. Now that I am a wife and mother, I see the value in it and want to try again! Thank you for the encouragement!
You’re welcome!
I was just curious.. You mentioned it is for new members of Homemakers Academy.. I bought the academy when it first launched and I was wondering if I will have access to these tutorials to? Thankx! They sound interesting! I really enjoy your Homemaking DVDs!
I enjoy crocheting a lot! I would love to teach others how to do it as well. I have taught my younger sister. A handicraft I would like to learn is sewing.
I have always desperately wanted to learn how to sew, and especially, to quilt!! I have tried to watch the video tutorials but, i’m afraid i struggle to learn that way. I’m the type that needs someone sitting down with me and teaching me. There a few people in my church that I know for sure know how to do these things, but I always shy away from asking..