Why did I start The Little Sewers Club?

Costume Week October 2025 at The Little Sewers Club- Wed. A.M. Homeschool Group

I have such a big heart for children. After all I was once a child (we all were)!! I remember how it felt to have SEW much energy and no where to displace it all. Adults (outside of my mom) would shhhh me or tell me I was too loud. They'd say this conversation was for "grown folks" and I needed to go into the other room. I SEW desperately longed for a space where I could be 1000% me (all child)!!

I had to grow up pretty quickly taking care of my siblings. Being the oldest of three had its own challenges. But I still found time to be a little koo koo for cocoa puffs!! I've always been a goofball and found the most inopportune moments to laugh. My mom encouraged authenticity and didn't mind a loud house. We had talent shows, we had programs at church, she cooked bold and tasty meals deriving from my grandmother's southern roots. I was always barefoot, outside jumping on a trampoline, or swinging. I used to play this game called "Catch My Feet" where I'd lay on my back and kick my feet wildly. My siblings would try to literally catch my feet. I may have used this as an excuse to kick them once or twice (oops!!). I'm grateful they still find it in their hearts to love me!! Let's just say as adults they weren't up for playing this game!!!

Founder Danisha Brown (2nd from right) Mud fight in 5th grade

My mom left room in my schedule for creativity to flourish and grow. Often times as parents we want to make sure our children never get bored. This is a no no!! Being bored is the precipice—the beginning—essentially the breeding ground for creativity and ingenuity. On a bored day what does your child reach for? Imagine being prepared for them to be bored. Leave old boxes, painting pens, 3D puzzles (i.e., rubix cubes, stem toys), a blank canvas, markers, new books for them to find around your home. Have a day where you have absolutely nothing scheduled. Children that are not used to this—I've witnessed look to their parents to fill their void of time. They ask "what are we doing today" , "are we going somewhere", "Mommy, I'm bored!". This echoes that your child may need more free time to explore boredom. Who are they when they aren't being told how to respond, act or think? It's okay to loosen our need to control them. Regimens and routines are good but it's okay to have a day absent of barriers, plans and lots of money being spent. Freedom is liberating and the key to developing a young creative, future innovator, artist, designer or engineer. Noone wants a robot for a child :) !! At least I don't!!

I remember going into my closet as a child and sketching. There was this old school light bulb with a string I'd pull to turn it on, I'd prop open my notebook on the lower shelf and curl up like a cat—sometimes I'd let my sadness take center stage—I'd hide there. Then there were times I'd simply sketch my ideas out. From a parent's perspective, this emotional roller coaster can seem to derail progress— it's actually apart of the creative process!! Similar to the film Inside Out—all emotions even the more frustrating or painful ones have to be felt in order to process the conundrum of life. The ups and downs—the highs and lows all make for an amazing narrative. Don't try to rush past the tough moments or feelings—give them grace to learn how to process in a healthy and a safe manner.

How many times have I had a child break down crying because they forgot how to thread their sewing machine? Or, when they stitched something the wrong way and had to seam rip? I talk them through it, "Give yourself grace when you're learning something new....be nice to yourself...you can do hard things, and I know this is hard, but you can do it..." I then go on to demonstrate how to do it once more—eventually they get it!! And they are more proud than ever. I didn't do it for them, I gave them the grace and the space to do it themselves.

I call myself the black version of Mary Poppins hahaha!! It's okay to laugh at that (I am!!) . The candy jars are nearly empty by the end of class, and their sense of obligation and self-reliance has increased. Also, I can most emphatically guarantee there's been a great deal of emotional progress. There is rarely space for a kid to be a kid—and still grow introspectively. The Little Sewers Club allows for this and SEW much more!! ~ Danisha