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Many of us have grandmothers or mothers who sew, unfortunately not all of us have learned to sew from them. An older generation teaching or enjoying sewing (or other hobbies) with a younger is one of the best ways to bridge the generation gap. While sewing has many benefits, this is one of the greatest, and it really has little to do with what make, it is more about quality time and conversation.

When your interaction with someone of another generation is based on learning or teaching one task, as opposed to just sitting down and talking, a bond is actually formed. You have a common ground to start from. One of the reasons generation gaps exist is that we feel we have little to nothing in common and because of that, we can't hold any extended conversations with each other, when we can't talk, we can't really enjoy each other's company. But when you are sewing together, there is no pressure. Since you are working together, teaching and learning, this takes all the awkwardness away and you can end up having great conversations. Of course, you do talk about what you are working on, but sewing is a quiet and sometimes slow process, and the conversations will naturally move on to all kinds topics. If you are the younger generation, you can ask the older how they learned to sew, they will tell you that and probably what and why they always sewed, you will end up learning a lot about their life and that they really aren't that different from you, they just lived in a different time. The older generation can learn more about what the younger is facing and works with every day and both will develop an appreciation and interest in each other's challenges and experiences.

All of this produces great memories and a certain affection towards the person you spent time with. It can really open your mind and encourage you to spend more time and form more friendships with other people of that generation. The gap that we put between the generations will begin to disappear, and it can all start with you asking someone to teach you how to sew.

Learn more about this author, Christina Orleans.
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