Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Why do we sew?

I was thinking this morning as I was having my cuppa coffee before work....thinking, .as I always do, sometimes too much...ha.  I read so many great blogs....You people have such beautiful sewing skills.  Most of the blogs, I've noticed are people trying to hone their sewing skills, trying to become better at their skill, always trying more complex garments and making their TNT's (tried and true).  I've seen some amazing talent and learned a few pointers from you.  Plus, the inspiration I get is the best.

Me?  I started sewing at an early age.  Mostly, because sewing clothes was so much more affordable than buying ready made.  I am and probably always will be, an extremely frugal sewer.  It is hard for me to pay $50 for a jacket when I can make it for a fraction of that cost.  In the 60s and 70s I made so many outfits.  I wish I had pictures of them all; more so, I wish I had those old patterns.  I ended up giving them away to my Mother's friend who helped people learn to sew.  I don't regret that at all...but, I sure wish I could just see them again!  I wish I would have taken more pics of the blouses and dresses that I made.

My first office job was in 1971 (I think I'm dating myself. lol).  I made most of my dresses because I couldn't afford clothes. Then in the 80s I worked for a large lawfirm.  The girls knew I had a sewing machine and I started altering clothes and making bridesmaids dresses, whatever was needed.  The extra income was nice.  Plus, I had my kids then and made alot of outfits for my daughter. 

Now, I work for three attorneys and it's only me in the office.  So, the alterations business slowed down to just a trickle of people in my neighborhood.  But, that's OK!  I don't miss it.

So, to answer my own question, in the early days I sewed because I couldn't afford many clothes and now, I sew just for the fun of it.  Well, I'm rambling and I have to get to work.  Happy Sewing!  Peace!

3 comments:

Maryissewfast said...

I learned to sew at an early age too. I come from a large family and although I didn't realize it when I was young, we were really poor! Guess that is a testimony to my parents who did their best! My first sewing machine was an old White treadle and my Grandma would give me her old dresses to refashion for new outfits for me! I upgraded to a Singer treadle that had been motorized when my other Grandma replaced it with a new machine, so my other treadle went to my cousin. My sewing love continued into my marriage...my husband bought me a sewing for my birthday and I made him the suit we got married in. Picture turquoise double knit and light blue qiana for the shirt! Makes me want to gag thinking about it now! I had sketched out my wedding dress and planned to make it, but we saw my sketched dress on a mannequin in the mall and he bought it for me (Let's all say "ahhh")I now enjoy my daughter learning to sew, although it took her awhile...her attitude was "why should I when you do it so well?" :)

Kathy said...

Thanks for your comment! I love hearing other stories. I didn't make my wedding dress, but my husband and grooms had powder blue tuxes and my girls had yellow dresses...talk about yuck, but in 1974 that was the way to go!! My daughter has the same attitude, i'm hoping for the day when she wants my old sewing machine ;)

Erika Mulvenna said...

Nice to read your sewing story! I learned from my mom at an early age who sewed for many of the same reasons you did. It was more economical for her to sew clothes for us than buying new.

These days I sew mostly for pleasure, either for my home or family. I previously worked full time using my sewing skills, but being home with my little girl is much more rewarding!

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