Exploration of experiences with middle-aged women’s sewing activities from lifelong learning perspective

Abstract

It is a phenomenological study how the middle-aged women’s experiences with sewing activities influence their lives. The study participants are middle-aged women in their 50s who have constantly participated in their sewing activities since their first registration for sewing program in a local lifelong learning center. They took part in their sewing activities with various purposes and motivations (good memories in childhood, accidental opportunities, leisure, and economic reasons) and discovered their talent for sewing. However, while recognizing social prejudice, they continued their sewing activities and experienced healing, achievement, and a sense of happiness through immersion in the process. Sewing activities served as a useful medium in the field of sharing and serving the local community. The research participants made self-directed and passionate challenges and efforts for self-realization. They expressed their aspirations and expectations that they would not stop sewing for the rest of their lives, aiming for happiness in their middle-aged lives and future lives that are on a continuum. On the basis of the participants' sewing experiences, a human network that interacts with others through reciprocal camaraderie was acting as a driving force. In the study results, it was confirmed that needlework is the middle-aged women' lives themselves and a driving force to lead their lives positively. This study is meaningful to explore the middle-aged women’s sewing experiences trivially treated from lifelong learning perspective.