Cross-Gender Leisure Activity :Cross-Gender Leisure Activity SEWING By: Marco Cartagena


Brief History :Brief History The skill of sewing: dated to at least 20,000 years ago (Beggerow, 2007). Sewing is a universal occurrence stretches back to the beginnings of history (Beggerow, 2007). It predates the act of weaving used to stitch together hides, furs, and bark for clothing and other uses (Beggerow, 2007).


Putting the activity into historical perspective :Putting the activity into historical perspective Part I


Why has it been predominantly for the opposite gender? :Why has it been predominantly for the opposite gender? Sewing has not always been dominated by women. From the beginning of time all humans participated in the act of sewing. Sewing was a survival skill. For example when early civilizations began to evolve men and women would thread the hide of their captured prey in order to make clothing for warmth and protection (Beggerow, 2007). In more modern times women have dominated the skill of sewing in terms of seamstresses. During the industrial revolution women mostly found jobs in domestic service, textile factories, and piece work shops (womeninworldhistory.com, 2009).


How frequently did people of YOUR gender participate in the activity in the past? :How frequently did people of YOUR gender participate in the activity in the past? Men usually dominated the occupation of tailoring among society. The Oxford English Dictionary's first reference to the word "tailor" gives the specific date of 1297 (Boyer, 1996).


Putting the activity into current perspective :Putting the activity into current perspective Part II


How frequently do people of YOUR gender participate in the activity TODAY? :How frequently do people of YOUR gender participate in the activity TODAY? In terms of my gender participating in this type of skill I would have to say the skill has diminished drastically among men of my generation. Women tend to dominate this skill as referred earlier as seamstresses.


Are there any current or recent issues around this activity that are particularly interesting? :Are there any current or recent issues around this activity that are particularly interesting? Interesting enough as the fashion industry tends to grow, more men are starting to enroll into fashion schools which allows them to learn the skill of sewing. The Bravo channel has had recent success with one of its shows called “Project runaway”. It is a fashion design contest to see who the best designer at that particular moment is. Personally I have watched the show and have noticed that at least half of the contestants each season are male. All of their projects/ garments are handmade which obviously includes the skill sewing (pr.seenon.com/project-runway, 2009).


What are your theories as to why there may or may not have been historical changes in participation? :What are your theories as to why there may or may not have been historical changes in participation? Being able to sew means that you must be a very patient person. Personally, I think that men tend to be inpatient when it comes to a precise skill like sewing. I also believe that since women tend to dominate this skill, men feel that it is taboo to participate or conduct such a skill. Some men see sewing as an unmanly thing to do.


Relationship to Class Materials :Relationship to Class Materials Part III


How or why does this activity fit into traditional ideals of leisure for the OPPOSITE gender (e.g. history, biology, culture, etc?) :How or why does this activity fit into traditional ideals of leisure for the OPPOSITE gender (e.g. history, biology, culture, etc?) History: It has been noted that women have dominated this skill ever since the sewing machine had been created. Culture: When it comes to leisure activities men tend to stick to the more physical and brute activities. The last thing a man wants to be seen as is a sewing fanatic. (Although this is a misconception)


How does your experience with the cross-gendered activity relate to class materials covered (e.g. feminism, biology, culture, media, etc)? :How does your experience with the cross-gendered activity relate to class materials covered (e.g. feminism, biology, culture, media, etc)? Culture has a large influence in what we tend to participate in. Men are supposed to do more physical activities than women and if not they are seen as sissy’s or unmanly. (Module 3; History, Andrea Maes, 2009).


Why had you not participated in this activity before? What constraints might you have felt or had? :Why had you not participated in this activity before? What constraints might you have felt or had? I never tried this skill because I felt that this was a woman’s job to do. I always thought if I ever needed something to be sewed together or patched up that I could just take it to my grandmother or mother because that’s what they grew up doing. I also felt that it was demoralizing to my manhood if I was to conduct a skill that a woman was better at. Was this true? Definitely not.


Reflection on your personal learning :Reflection on your personal learning Part IV


How did this activity challenge you? What were you feeling while you participated? :How did this activity challenge you? What were you feeling while you participated? When I first started to conduct this activity I thought that it was going to be boring and not worth my while. I locked myself in my room so that no one would know that I was sewing. I kind of felt embarrassed that I was actually sewing a project together.


What insights into leisure for YOUR gender AND the OPPOSITE gender were gained? :What insights into leisure for YOUR gender AND the OPPOSITE gender were gained? I got to understand that leisure is in the eye of the beholder. I don’t think one activity is more feminine than another or vice versa. Leisure activities should not be based on who is participating in it but what that individual is getting out of that leisure activity.


Would you participate in the activity again – why or why not? :Would you participate in the activity again – why or why not? Yes, I actually enjoyed learning the skill of sewing. I feel that although I am not a professional at sewing, I can definitely fix up a missing button, ripped seam, or even patch up a hole on my pants. I also believe that it has made me more of a man because I don’t have to rely on a woman to do this kind of a job for me.


Project:Kids Drawstring Bag :Project:Kids Drawstring Bag Part V


What are we making today? :What are we making today? My Leisure activity project was to sew together a little drawstring bag. A drawstring bag comes in handy when you want to carry small objects around. An example of what can be carried in a drawstring bag; coins, marbles, or even jewelry.


Materials :Materials Scissors Razor Sewing needle Measuring device Thread Fabric String


Quick instructions :Quick instructions Lay the fabric out iron out if wrinkled 2. Cut out a piece of fabric: 9” x 4.25” 3. Fold the ends of the fabric 1 cm 4. Sew the folded ends using the long stitch technique 5. Pull string Through the folded ends. 6. Fold the fabric in half, length wise 7. Sew fabric sides together.


Putting it all together :Putting it all together Fold the sewed fabric inside out and the final product should look like a bag.


Final product :Final product Put loose change or store your jewelry inside of bag. Final Product!


References :References 1. Beggerow, Alan. Sewing - Tools And History. 2007-11-26. ABCdirectory.com. http://article.abc-directory.com/article/3540 2. Boyer, G. Bruce. The History of Tailoring: An Overview. Published on 02.26.96. www.lone-star.net http://www.lone-star.net/mall/literature/tailor4.htm 3. Thoden, Jennifer. Free Instructions On How To Sew A Drawstring Bag In Minutes. Published: 1/5/2006 . 4. Maes, Andrea. Rec 3202: Women and Leisure: Model 3. Reading for Quiz B (Chapter Two Many Voices: Historical Perspectives on Women's Leisure). 2009. www.csueastbay.edu/ 5. http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/1-3-2006-85409.asp 6. http://pr.seenon.com/project-runway/ 7. http://seweasy.biz/hissewing.htm 8. http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/lesson7.html