![\"Laurel,3](\"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/genderneutralLambsmockedhands.jpg\")
<\/a>Laurel,3 days old in “gender neutral daygown,” made especially for her.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Like mothers and grandmothers before me, I was sewing for Laurel long before she was born.\u00c2\u00a0 The daygown shown above was made before we knew the gender of our first grandchild, but I couldn’t wait to start sewing for our long-awaited bundle of joy.\u00c2\u00a0 Announcement of a new baby will chase even the least productive needleworker to the sewing room.\u00c2\u00a0 The ambitious hopes and heartfelt dreams we have for baby’s future are in our thoughts with every stitch.<\/p>\n
Last week\u00c2\u00a0 I had one of those gut-checks that make you stop and think.\u00c2\u00a0 This gut-check (or reality check) was initiated indirectly by Laurel, our first grandchild, just turned 9.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 As we watched her portrayal of Lucy in a little production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe<\/em> last week, I was overcome with gratitude for this loving, gifted, hearty, and hale child. I couldn’t help but think back to the day she was born.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Laurel, on the left with characters Susan and Peter<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Of course, we were so pleased with her acting and clear, audible speaking. And we enjoyed the entire production.\u00c2\u00a0 But that’s not the point.<\/p>\n The playbill, as usual, featured ads placed by parents, congratulating and encouraging their children.\u00c2\u00a0 One caught my eye–a photo of a pretty little girl whose parents declared their pride in her dramatic participation now that she can hear<\/em><\/strong>, and looking forward to her future accomplishments.<\/p>\n Yes, this child, who appeared to be about Laurel’s age, apparently had been deaf her entire life until some recent surgical or technological breakthrough.\u00c2\u00a0 Though she had only\u00c2\u00a0 two or three short lines, one can only imagine her parents’ pride in their daughter.<\/p>\n At her birth, they undoubtedly had the same dreams for their baby as we had for Laurel.\u00c2\u00a0 But their baby girl would face daunting challenges requiring more hard work, dedication, and sacrifice than most children.<\/p>\n So what is the point, what is “one more reason to sew”?\u00c2\u00a0 I’m getting to it.<\/p>\n Costuming was the responsibility of each actor’s family.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Laurel was cute in a little plaid skirt, accessorized by Lucy’s signature dagger and\u00c2\u00a0 leather cordial pouch.\u00c2\u00a0 All the children were appropriately dressed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n But one costume stood out, head and shoulders above the others, that of the recently deaf unicorn.<\/p>\n And what a costume she had!\u00c2\u00a0 Dressed all in white, the unicorn wore a fur trimmed leotard with a plumed bustle that mimicked an equine rump.\u00c2\u00a0 A fluffy tail trailed to the floor. Black boots against her white tights shined like magical hooves.\u00c2\u00a0 Her headdress sported a silver horn and furry white ears.\u00c2\u00a0 It was a spectacular costume and was certainly not store-bought.<\/p>\n Can you imagine the love this child’s mother must have felt for her brave daughter as she stitched this elaborate costume?\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Can you imagine the love felt by the little unicorn wearing it?<\/p>\n Love of a child, my friends, is one more reason–one very big reason– to sew. Whether it is a daygown, a button-on suit, a baptismal dress, a superhero tee shirt or a unicorn costume, we who sew can show our love for a child in a very special way.<\/p>\n Of course, I’m preaching to the choir here, but this experience really touched me.<\/p>\n Do you have any similar experiences you could share?\u00c2\u00a0 Or do you have one more reason to sew?<\/p>\n UPDATE:\u00c2\u00a0 My sweet friend Terri Click has written a blog post at The Thrifty Needle on this topic.\u00c2\u00a0 She has enlarged on my comments and beautifully expressed her thoughts.\u00c2\u00a0 Check it out here .<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Lately, my thoughts have turned to a little unicorn girl, though you probably wonder why.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s all about what we do for love, specifically, sewing. We’ve been very busy with family activities and demands and are so grateful to live … Continue reading <\/a><\/a><\/p>\n