According to Thread Magazine, September is National Sewing Month. President Reagan started National Sewing Month “in recognition of the importance of home sewing to our nation.” I thought this would be a great opportunity to share one of my favorite hobbies because, to be honest, when I tell most people that I sew, they either look at me like I have three heads or they think that I just performed magic.
Sewing is not a popular hobby right now, which makes sense to me.
Most moms are crazy busy and the thought of making an outfit by hand when you could buy it from Amazon and have it in two days or pick it up from a department store is more realistic in today’s busy world.
I myself will sometimes sew up a storm for a while, usually after my kids go to bed, and then sometimes not sew for months. I never force myself to sew when I am not up for it because then I usually do not do my best work. My favorite inspirations to sew are: when I can make something out of something that I already have, when I want to create something that I can not already find in a store, or when I know the recipient will enjoy the item even with the inevitable flaws.
I grew up with sewing around me. My grandma, aunt, and mom all know how to sew. My aunt/godmother sews the most regularly. I sometimes would go over my her house as a kid when she was watching me for the day and just watch in wonder how something could go from a not very exciting piece of fabric to a ruffled curtain, a handbag, or a Christmas apron. I appreciated sewing right from the start but did not know if I would be able to master the skill.
We had a sewing machine at my house, but it was usually broken most of the time when I was old enough to use one. During my senior year in high school, I finally had the perfect opportunity to learn to sew. I had most of my required courses out of the way and was able to pick a few elective courses. I ended up taking a sewing class, and I learned how to read patterns, thread a machine, and sew, and the rest is history. I took a hiatus from sewing while I was in college to focus on school, but my husband bought me a sewing machine as a graduation gift, and I have been sewing when I have time since then.
I sewed almost every week during that time and the years before my husband and I started having kids. Since we have had kids, sometimes I will go weeks or months before I touch the sewing machine, just depending on how busy I am and if I am up to sewing. No matter what though, I know that I will always go back to sewing. My favorite reasons to sew are: to save money, to make something original, or to sew something from someone that they will appreciate.
Here are a few things that I have sewn over the years:
Burp cloths that I made for my cousin. I often sew burp cloths to give as a gift at baby showers.
A mermaid blanket for my niece’s doll to match with her mermaid blanket.
I buy towels and potholders, sew them together, and add a button so that they don’t fall off my stove handle.
