Sew Sew
Does anyone sew anymore--as in making clothing for their family members or for themselves? It seems like most people either don't know how to sew or have let it go by the wayside. There are those who maintain the arts of sewing and needlework as a hobby, so it probably won't become a lost art, but still....
I grew up sewing. My Mom taught me and I was in 4-H and FHA and did sewing projects for those organizations. When a young mother, I made myself a blouse and my daughter a dress out of the same material, and I even tackled making a western shirt for my then husband. I've let it go, though. I have done a little knitting, crocheting, and embroidery of various types. I really would like to do more sewing and such, even if I never do anything terribly complicated.
Sometimes I wish I weren't so interested in so many different things! I guess I could divide my time up into little bitty blocks and do some of it all.
Do any of you sew and/or do needlework? What kind and how do you make time for it?
I grew up sewing. My Mom taught me and I was in 4-H and FHA and did sewing projects for those organizations. When a young mother, I made myself a blouse and my daughter a dress out of the same material, and I even tackled making a western shirt for my then husband. I've let it go, though. I have done a little knitting, crocheting, and embroidery of various types. I really would like to do more sewing and such, even if I never do anything terribly complicated.
Sometimes I wish I weren't so interested in so many different things! I guess I could divide my time up into little bitty blocks and do some of it all.
Do any of you sew and/or do needlework? What kind and how do you make time for it?
Labels: sewing
posted by Mary A | 5:00 PM
11 Comments:
It's hardly cost-effective to sew anything anymore, unless you find fabric on sale and buy patterns at Wal-Mart (they're usually half-price). So I sew, a little. My mending pile is huge right now. I also cross stitch, which I love doing.
I hear you about doing everything in little blocks of time. If it weren't for 5 minutes here and 5 there, I'd never get anything done.
I sewed when I was a teenager, but I agree that it's not cost-effective anymore to sew clothes. And I truly hate sewing machines. I much prefer to sew by hand, and I prefer to crochet over sewing any day.
You can tell I haven't shopped for material or patterns for a long time--I thought it would save a lot of money!
I'm kinda partial to needlework (crochet, embroidery, etc.), too.
I took a class once through an extention of Girl Scouts and made a dress. We had a little fashion show too! When I was in grade school, my best friend's mom would often being sewing dresses for my friend for Square Dancing. They had those circular poofy skirts. I thought they were so cool.
My wife does more than sew. She designs her own cloths and sells it! Not that she has a booming business. Go check out the "Tiny Packages" for some of her work - although the business is for other things.
Jettboy, I'd forgotten about your wife's business. That's great!
Barb, when I was a kid, it was the in thing to have poofy petticoats! Very cool!
I am getting out some old patterns to begin sewing for my grandaughter. I sewed for the girls when they were small and now will begin again.
It's not cost effective to sew church clothes etc but t shirts and skorts are easy and very cost efficient.
It's hardly cost-effective to sew anything anymore, unless you find fabric on sale and buy patterns at Wal-Mart (they're usually half-price).
That is sadly true, though my mom still quilts and my wife has taught my oldest to sew and to use a surger (the youngest is only six).
But it is so hard to justify the expense, other than quilts or specialty items (my wife sewed for the local ballet company before we moved -- she is really good -- but it just doesn't pay).
My wife sews dresses for our daughter (in fact, most of her dresses). Material can be purchased at a reasonable cost and a quality dress produced cheaper than a poorer quality store bought dress. She has also sewn other outfits that cannot be bought for what she paid in materials. She has entered several of her dresses and other clothing in the local state fair and has won several ribbons.
I'm not saying you can save lots by sewing your own clothes and that you can sew all of your clothes but it is possible to save a little and gain better quality.
My wife has learned lots of sewing and embroidery skills over the years that I can't do just with trying to list (I won't remember them all!). Her latest is smocking which she has done a lot of lately. She has thought of selling her dresses but is concerned about how and getting paid what they are worth.
Hey, Titus Todd! I remember seeing a photo of some of your wife's fair entries on your blog, Trekking (I can't do a link in comments, but it's linked on my sidebar for those who'd like to see the photo.) From what you've said, she's a sewing and needlework whiz. The pricing would take some thought, but I'll bet she could do well selling her work.
I have sewn over the years, but as many of your readers have said, it just costs too much these days for materials plus the time and effort. I also used to cross stitch, crewel, hook rugs, and made Christening Gowns for friends and family. NEVER for sale because I couldn't put a price on my time, I just did it out of love.
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