I honestly believe I was born in the wrong century. However, air conditioning and indoor plumbing is awesome. By saying “wrong century” I mean I have an appreciation for items that are crafted by hand. I love, no, I mean, loooooove, handmade items. I married into a family that makes everything… furniture, quilts, crafts, homes, literally anything. My ancestors made things, but I never got the impression that it was something they enjoyed. Sewing was done out of necessity. It was more if you want underwear, you will take this flour sack I have outfitted with part of an old tire and wear it. I wish that was sarcasism. Maybe it will be a post one day.
I had taken Home Economics in high school. The teacher was an older lady, Mrs. Mann, I believe was her name. She was on the committee that voted to allow girls to wear pants to school. She made all of her clothes. She had experience, but she did not teach us the fundamentals of sewing with enthusiasm. I realize this was just her perspective, you sew, just like you cook, but at least you can wear pants so stop whining. So I made whatever thing I had to make and did not think about sewing again until I got married and was now surrounded by the masters.
One gift we received was teddy bears in wedding clothes. We also received a monogrammed items done by one of his aunts. When we had our twin girls, we received baby quilts with monogrammed dresses made from the scraps. We had ruffled bed skirts, matching curtains. They also had heart shaped bibs made for them with their names embroidered. All of these items are safely packed away. Those was it, I had to learn to do this RIGHT NOW!!
Of course with twin babies roaming about and then another pregnancy, so 3 babies under the age of 2 throws a monkey wrench in many things. However, I did find time to sew.
I made many pajama bottoms for my kids. These are sewn mostly with straight lines. Learning the elastic was trial and error, but after a few times of taking it out and redoing it, I figured out what worked. I made a few Halloween costumes. My favorite was the year they were Raggedy Ann(s) and Andy. Ruffles was a new skill learned for this project. My son’s bow was too big and that collar…whoo. Complicated clothes construction was scratched off the list almost immediately.
As the kids got older, they needed less and less pajama bottoms and literally refused to wear anything I had either made or monogrammed, I needed to find a new outlet. The voice in the back of my head kept whispering and idea, but there was no way I had the skill to do that. Only the true masters can accomplish that. I don’t have the skill, the time, or the space, I kept telling myself. I am referring to quilting. When I was younger I assumed someone had to be about 70 years old before you could begin to learn quilting. However, I have since learned that many young, very cool people quilt. One place where I have gleaned much inspiration with patterns and tons precuts is www.missouriquiltco.com. I have completed, maybe four quilts so I am still learning myself. I am enjoying the process, and hopefully one day, I can be a master.
The blue and white one took, what seemed like forever. The top was not the time consuming part. Hobbies that you may not expect to overlap, quilting and genealogy. Five generations of names, birthdates and death dates are embroidered on the topper. I gave it to my mother for her 76th birthday. She said she wanted to be buried with it. I don’t thinks so, but I am glad she likes it. The other is a very simple patterned, king sized quilt. I have so many I want to make. Each one, I generally learn something. Generally I learn something NOT to do.
Sewing for me has been a long process in learning. Every project has a mistake somewhere. If you want to learn how to sew, start with patterns. Use Pinterest. Use patterns. Start with easy projects. I have made so many tote bags. Pillowcases or pillowcase dresses. Get started. Have fun. You will make mistakes, but you will learn.
