Sew Simplified
08.11.2010 A few months ago, I talked about dumping cable television as one of the steps to simplifying my life. And by simplifying, I mean realigning my priorities and taking better stock of how I spend my “free” time. And by realigning, I mean not only doing things that might prove mutually beneficial to my family and me, but to spend that time doing things that bring me joy. And by joy, I mean any one or some combination of utility, respite, health, contentment, quietude, satisfaction, order, liberation, freedom, or relaxation.
Meet a joyful experience:
I know, right? It’s like…what? Sewing?
But there it is.
Why sewing. A couple reasons: One is that I enjoy creating art. I used to paint a lot: watercolor early on, acrylics later. Mostly landscapes, some abstractions. But I don’t really do that anymore. And my most favorite form of painting, painting space through sound with my piano, is gone. I forayed into the visual arts through photography a few years ago though by virtue of having children, my material is quite limited. To me, sewing is art, but in three dimensions.
I’ve also been inspired by the internet.
About the time we were taking our kids out of full-time daycare, I went on an internet search for “setting up a Montessori home”. I was just curious to know if there were images out there that didn’t involve mud huts on one end or extremist parenting on the other. And what I stumbled upon was one of the most beautiful set of images I’d ever seen: Sew Liberated’s post: “Finnian’s Montessori Room”. Have a look and tell me it isn’t one of the most beautifully decorated spaces you’ve ever seen. Plus, tell me you don’t want to just snuggle up with and tickle the chin of the header image on her blog. It’s delicious!
Also, Sweet Juniper? I'm not into foursomes, but I'd totally be into a foursome with Dutch and Wood. Them and Brangelina. The author and his wife are so damn creative! I not only love that they’re backgrounds are so cerebral (he is a lawyer turned stay-at-home-dad, she’s still a lawyer), but they find balance with simple and meaningful activities and crafts for their children. Things like this baby quilt and their childrens' Halloween costumes. Plus, they live in an urban neighborhood, central to a large city, and I can relate to finding beauty in the things and the people that so many suburban folks just wouldn’t get.
And finally, sewing brews up a lot of nostalgia for me, having watched both grandmothers and my mother sew over the years.
So it is that I thought I’d like to sew: For the purpose of making crafty things for the kids, touch ups around the house. And an occasional skirt or pair of elastic shorts for the kids. Because it is simply a rite of passage to dread your mother approaching you with straight pins in her mouth when all you want is that damn paisley shirt from Forenza and that jean jacket from Guess.
Over the course of a few weeks, I talked to people I knew that sewed. And what I figured out was that that machine I had purchased a year ago, the one that never got used to make that trick-or-treat basket, the one that stayed in the back seat of my car, only to be moved once (to the trunk), was not going to be the machine for me. After quite a bit of internet research, visits to three or four stores, and more conversation, I decided I’d support a local neighborhood business, because keeping small business thriving can help avoid travesties like this.
The name of that business is Bob McDougal's Sewing Machine Company, one of the oldest and most respected independent sewing machine dealers in America, and they’ve been around for EVER. Though I went in armed with research and information, a long-term employee took the time to show me how to operate each of the eight machines I asked about. She knew everything I asked about Every.Single.Machine.In.There. And there were probably twenty-five.
Try getting that kind of knowledge and service at a big box store.
After a good hour of touching and trying, I settled on a digital Brothers Innov-ís 40 machine. And yes, that is the Project Runway Limited Edition one. SHUT UP. I chose it partly because it’s rather stupid-proof, and partly because every sewing machine should be purchased from a place that’s been in business for 60+ years and looks like this:
How am I learning? Well, other than that one lesson, I’m winging it: I tend to linger over clothes maybe a bit too long, turning them inside out, investigating the seams, stroking the fabrics, identifying which stitches are used when, maybe taking a picture from my phone. I’m sure the plainclothes security personnel in the stores that I frequent have me flagged as Suspicious.
Though I haven’t been able to spend a lot of time with my machine, here’s what I’ve done so far:
- Door draft stopper for Mateo’s bedroom door. Inspirations: That pesky hallway light beaming into his room, keeping him awake and concluding that the piano bench cushion in front of his door didn’t help make the house show-ready
- A great green field. Inspirations: Big Red Barn Board Book
given to us by my friend Kristin’s family, and then getting the most awesome barn ever as a 2nd birthday gift from my sister and brother’s family’s. (I still need to add a little pile of hay and a big pile of hay with some fuzzy yarn, just not sure how to incorporate it yet)
- A “princess” for Harper. Also known as a “skirt”. Inspirations: we don’t have enough clean princesses in any given week. Disclaimer: I didn’t start from scratch on this one because I didn’t have to. I got the idea for this approach when I found myself in the clearance section of a clothing store where I found a skirt on clearance for $6.99 in a women’s size XS. YOU go buy materials for a skirt for less than that! Instead, I lobbed off seven or so inches off the bottom, measured Harper’s waist, and then cut the skirt down and sewed it back together. Voila!
Coming soon!:
- Children's apron. (I will give a shot at using a pattern via Sew Liberated's tutorial). Inspirations: eliminating the need for a wardrobe change when the kids “help” cook.
- Travel pillow pillowcase made of woobies. Inspirations: Jennifer and Harper are fighting over Jennifer’s velboa pillow cover.
- Ocean play mat for our collection of Schleich sea animals. Inspirations: Sweet Juniper's “lion king” playset.
And maybe, just maybe that trick-or-treat basket I meant to make last year.
Reader Comments (3)
Because sewing projects for girls are easy, I present the amazing Amiee and her inspirational sewing with love for boys (she also rocks sewing for moms):
http://mamieknits.blogspot.com/search/label/sewing
Why am I not crafty? Because I am an engineer.
The skirt is beautiful! I agree on the benefits to sewing (or hand crafts) for all the same reason. Your motivation to simplify etc are wonderful and inspiring. I might get to that curtain I've been meaning to make sooner after reading this. Thanks!
You GO girl! I'm a quilter, not a clothes seamstress...so, when you're ready to tackle a quilt or two (or six), just holler! I make some crafts, but mostly just quilts and more quilts! Our oldest daughter (15) is the artist - a painter. She would be the one that told me she couldn't possibly keep her room clean - she's too creative to be clean! Get that machine in gear and sew, sew, sew!