Need-le Little Help?

This Week:

In my occupation this week, I did not really do much sewing. I went home to see my sisters over the weekend (which is usually when I sew). However, I did get to talk to my mom and sister about my sewing projects. My mom sews a bit and my youngest sister is learning to sew and quilt as well. She’s done a few more sewing projects than me, including sewing her prom dress and making a couple of quilts. I got to show them what I have been working on, and my sister and I spent a bit of time on Pinterest looking at options for new projects. Now I just have to make a decision for the next project I want to do after my pillowcase is finished.

I also spent some time on my drive home playing around with the quilt block design app I talked about a couple of posts ago. I had fun making some patterns on it, and I think I will probably use one of these blocks for my next project, though I can't decide which I like more. 

One of the patterns I tried to make

Co-Occupation

This occupation is one that I feel can be both a solitary occupation and a co-occupation, depending on the context you put yourself in. Usually when I am actually sewing, I am participating in the occupation by myself, without anyone there. However I have also had a lot of experiences with some form of co-occupation in the activity of sewing. For example, choosing new projects was something I participated in with my sister. This interaction had aspects of shared emotionality and shared intentionality, as we responded to each other’s tone and verbal statements, as well as working towards the same goal of finding new projects. There was also some element of shared physicality, not in the sense of physical support, but the fact that we were in the same room and were trading phones often to show each other pictures.

I also think that I have experienced some aspects of essential co-occupation as I have asked my family members (especially my aunt) for help or for their perspective as I am sewing. When I call or FaceTime my aunt asking for help interpreting instructions or for her advice, we have some aspects of shared emotionality as we are able to reciprocate emotion and respond to each other. I like to think she also enjoys when I call her, and from my perspective, she seems to enjoy helping me, and I absolutely appreciate and enjoy it. When I call her and ask for help, we have some shared intentionality in that we are both working towards understanding or resolving my problem or question. 

Because she lives a couple of hours away in Utah, there is not really an element of shared physicality because we are connected virtually. Though, I could say that there is some support for shared physicality because when I ask her questions, she sometimes gives me feedback on where to move my ruler, tells me to look at something specific, or talks me through doing a certain action (such as to help unjam my machine). I do find it really valuable to have her participate in this as a co-occupation with me. However, I also really like the time that I get to do this hobby by myself, as I feel I am more likely to experience a flow state when I am alone. I am excited to continue learning from her and also developing my skills so I can try new things within my occupation.