Three Generations Stitching Together… Guest Blogger: Christina Fairley Erickson

The last few years, I’ve taken the idea of ‘having an experience together is the best gift’ to heart and shared classes with my Mom Nan at the Gail Harker Center.  This year for our Mother’s Day gift, we decided to do the “Flowers in Hand Stitch” day-long class, but as a new twist, invited my daughter-in-law to join us!  While I’m an active daily stitcher, my Mom would like to get back to sewing more frequently, and daughter Zeyneb is a novice.  What a wonderful way to come together!

3 Generations having fun together- Christina, Nan, and Zeyneb

We started with a floral or nature photo printed on fabric.  Gail then worked with us on creating a layered collage composition to enhance the photo we’d chosen.  We then went on to adding stitch onto our collage pieces.  Gail worked closely with students to help determine which stitches would create the effects which the students wanted for their piece, as well as providing instruction on how to do different hand embroidery stitches.

We had 7 students in class, including Marilyn and her teen grand-daughter, Isabella, so we were truly multi-generational, as well as coming with different levels of experience.  As we progressed, we’d meet up and share where we were going with our little pieces, gaining inspiration and ideas from each other.

Grandma Marilyn and grand-daughter Isabella enjoying a day in class

After lunch, we seemed to get a little more open and the creativity really started flowing!  We worked on a second collage, with some students closely trimming their photos for a more naturalistic look.

Ann trimming her fern photo for collage

By the end of the day, we all had two collages in various states of progress and a rich memory of our time together.  Next time you’re thinking of what gift to get your Mom, Grandmother, Daughter, Grand-daughter, Aunt, Niece, or other friend or relative… think about taking a class together!

Mary stitching her sunflower

Mary’s Sunflower with stitch in progress

Zeyneb’s tulip collage in progress

Isabella basting her collage with farmer’s market produce.

Isabella enjoying her first stitch class!

Nan practicing stitches and working on her pansy composition.

Ann’s sumptuous materials!

Ann working on second collage

Zeyneb’s driftwood collage with stitch in progress

Isabella’s first collage with stitch