In sewing, sometimes it is more important for it to LOOK like the line is straight than to actually sew a straight line. For example, stopping or starting the thread/machine to make sure the line is just right can actually make for a herky jerky line- so sometimes just smoothly bringing the line back or edging it slightly this way or that way to follow the pattern of the fabric is visually more appealing to the eye.
All of this is of course assuming we aren't sewing pants or a fitted garment. Where the darts and seems need to be JUST right. I don't do that "KIND" of sewing. I take my pants to be mended. Yes, I do. My mom thought that was crazy. But I sew to relieve stress and re-hemming my pants that I bought on sale, from a store I love, pants that they don't make any more, causes stress. So I pay to have them re-hemmed or lining mended.
I'm a craft sewer. Pillow Cases- Halloween Costumes- Burp Cloths- things that don't need laser precision. And in that kind of sewing, looking like a straight line is more important than being straight line.
Turns out there are a lot of things in life like that. Looking put together is one of them. Like or not, it is human nature and people actually do treat you differently in stores, banks, restaurants, etc. when you do not look like a hot mess. And just because I got up early and blew out my hair, does not mean my life is actually any more put together. But isn't that a neat little trick?
Having well behaved children is another. Having quiet, obedient, and well groomed children is the gold standard for public interactions (or maybe that's my reluctant debutante raising..). We've seen the cute social media posts about "baby's first flight" and parents handing out treat bags to fellow passengers...they aren't asking for college fund donations, they are hoping to "buy" approval if their child cries. Which children do. And children are also not always quiet, obedient, and well groomed in grocery stores, or doctors offices or the DMV (Or of course they are! Right until YOU walked in and of course you missed it! LOL). Why do parents flying with little ones feel that way? Because they know: It's more important for it to look like a straight line, than it actually be a straight line.
As parents, we see your eye rolls, and sighs, and shifting feet in the check out line. But we aren't trying to sew a fun Halloween costume, we are trying to raise little people, to become big people. Big people that don't eye roll or sigh, or shift their feet when things aren't going their way. Kind people. When things happen and my child is clearly not representing their best selves, I try to reset the mood, by saying what I really feel (especially at the DMV!) "I know sometimes I wish I could cry too" or "I know, I wish I could buy all the things too! That would be so fun!..." Often these comments diffuse others as well, reminding us all that these little people are in fact people and everyone around them is setting examples. And it also helps remind me. This line doesn't need to LOOK straight. It's ok. It can look a HOT DAMN MESS, as long as it turns out kind and caring in 20 years. This isn't my best self on the floor of Target screaming and going limp noodle. This is my two year old, learning how to handle himself. Trying to find his best self. And trying all the tools he has to see if I'll buy him the Paw Patroller trailer. So go him! He is trying every tool he has. And I'm working on mine too (think a combo of trying to find the humor in it, and yoga breathing...).
And why no, my son didn't just turn 2 and 9 months and decide to laugh and smile and LOOK ME IN THE EYE and do *insert whatever I just told him not to do* everywhere we go, including the pediatrician's office, why do you ask?
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