This post is part of a series. See the first “Things I Love About Sewing” post here, and the second one here.
I’m a coupon clipper. I cannot throw away the Sunday paper before going through all the circulars and cutting out the coupons. And then I go through the recycling bins (I found these bins from a waste bin supplier in singapore) in our garage to pull out all the bottles and cans to return at the grocery store for a nickle each. I find thriftiness intensely satisfying. Thriftiness and utility.
One of the reasons I love craft is its inherent combination of thrift and utility. To me, craft is making something fine, something beautiful, something that requires skill to create, but also something useful. I took a lot of art classes in high school and I enjoyed them, but I think even then I knew that craft was where I belonged. The combination of making something with your hands and creating something useful will forever draw me in.
Craftspeople can turn something raw or discarded or otherwise useless into something with value and utility. They take boards and make a kitchen table. They take a lump of clay, essentially dirt, and make cups and plates you can use every day. A crafter can transform old t-shirts into a woven rug similar to those runner rugs or a moth-eaten sweater into a tote bag. The essential thrift and renewal of craft is incredible to me.
Sewing is my favorite form of craft for many reasons, but one of them is this combination of thrift and utility. When you sew you can mend, you can shorten, and alter, and rework. When you sew you can turn a raw piece of cloth into something useful, something wonderful that you’ll pull out and admire every day. Making something from nothing at all is one thing I love about sewing.
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Tell me what you love about sewing. Because there is a lot to love, you know.
For me, life would be boring without making and creating. The two consistent threads in my life are art and sewing. Art is who I am. Although I ended up being a science teacher, I am considered a good artist. Today, I teach art privately. Sewing, however, is definitely a love.
I first started hand sewing doll clothes from scraps, making outfits of my own design. I used an encyclopedia book that taught different sewing techniques. My results were wonky, but I learned a lot. My mother was taught that any sewing or embroidery project must be neat on the “right” side as well and the “inside.” This has stayed with me the rest of my life. Neatness rules!
I, too, had an eighth grade sewing class. In those years, we made a dress that had to be worn in class. The teacher had some strange directions, even by my mother’s standards (she was not hampered by sewing rules), so the results were poor. Even so, I was hooked. By my high school years, I was sewing and adding outfits to my wardrobe every year.
I sewed for my children who are now grown and sewing for their children. Two of my daughters had a workshop for window treatments. Today, beyond making clothing for myself as well as curtains and other household items, I repair and re-purpose. I have a sewing room with more than one sewing machine! Do not ask which one is my favorite!
Sewing allows me to be creative, self-sufficient and save money. What is not to love?
Thank you, Gigi, for sharing your love of sewing with me here! It's great to hear your story.
One of the things that I love about sewing is that you can make a 3 dimensional item from a flat piece of fabric. Whether it be clothing, stuffies, home decor, it still makes me excited seeing flat fabric transformed into shapes! Such a simple concept, but it’s amazing!
Ah, Rachel, you put into words the most magical part of sewing. It is amazing to have something three-dimensional that before didn’t exist. Addictive, really.
I could not agree with you more! I am also in the making of sweet little plushie treasures. I just watched the live interview with Tara and Diane. I had to come find you. 😉 your words about remembering why you blog is really important, I have lost site that it was for me as much as anything, thank you!
That's really wonderful to hear! Thank you so much.