Archive for the 'inspiration' Category

I don’t remember too well how it was that I learned to sew. I remember a coloring book page of Red Riding Hood, a needle and red thread, and stitching along the lines. Then I remember cross stitching Christmas ornaments. After that was the little pink pant suit I made. I was 7. I have really, really fond memories of the fabric store. Flipping through the pattern books, writing down the numbers, picking out the fabric, waiting in long lines to have the fabric cut and cash out.

I’ve been inspired by and learned an awful lot from my creative students whether they be wee ones or big ones. I’ve realized that these beginner stitchers have to want to learn to sew. If they don’t there is just no point. But sometimes, they don’t know that they want to learn to sew because they think that it’s too hard to try, the don’t know already so they won’t try, or it’s a girls thing and they (some girls and most boys) won’t participate.

I try to think what sparked my interest. I can tell you first, it was the print and color, then the texture of the fabric (who remembers shopping with mom and hiding in the racks and LOVING the fabric? ), then the making of things as well as the machine itself. Plus I LOVED the sewing kit. All those yummy little precious things in there.

Whenever I come across someone who won’t try the machine or seems bored with the idea of sewing something, I tempt them with little facts about sewing. The other day it was a young boy. He wasn’t so thrilled with the idea of sewing a tote bag. Not thrilled at all. He’d never used a sewing machine before. He’d done some hand sewing, but not the machine. Ugh. Not a happy face. So, I showed him the bobbin assembly. It comes OUT of the machine. End of story. He made a really fabulous tote bag. Plus as soon as another machine hit a snag – he was there to fix it.

I also taught some machine sewing at the local prison. At first, I couldn’t get 10 volunteers. There was just no way anybody was going to sew.  After a few minutes, I convinced the 10 I needed just to try it. I demoed the machines, got each one threading the machine and before you knew it, 20 more guys had wandered into the room. What was it? Clearly for the inmates it was the act of making. Just getting a few to sit down and try it was enough to convince the others to get their stitch on. One said to me that learning to sew was good for him on the “inside” as well as the “outside”.  Once they got over their fear, they were able to thread machines and sew tote bags. There is something wonderfully therapeutic in the act of making things.  Thankfully the program has taken off, and with the help of volunteers, the inmates can sew on a weekly basis.

Sew, it’s a different reason for everybody. I have several reasons for sewing: I need something, I want something, I want to give something, or I dream of something and just have to make it. There is quite a wonderful sense of accomplishment that comes to those who have taught themselves or learned to sew and to be able to make something from 2d fabric and turn it into an object with shape and a new and exciting purpose.