Why do you sew?

I have been sewing for nearly 50 years (yikes!!),  and some of the reasons I sew today are different than they were when I was young, and some are still the same. BTW, just how did I get to be so old??;-) ,

Here’s my why-I-live-to-sew list:

1. I love the feel of fabric. I am very tactile, and I have always loved touching and petting nice fabric. Still do!

2. When I was growing up, all my female role models sewed. My beautiful mother was an excellent seamstress, and both my grandmothers and aunts were pretty darn handy with a needle. I am aware not all women in that time period liked to sew, but most had at least been taught the basics at school or from a family member.

3. Home Economics was required in school, and sewing was part of the curriculum. I remember (and am FB friends!) with my first Home Ec teacher other than my mom: Mrs. Hoover. I am sorry to say I thought I knew more than she did because I had already been sewing for several years with my oh-so-perfectionist mother. I am still embarrassed when I think of my attitude toward this wonderful woman. She had graduated from WSU with a degree in Home Economics, and I still remember her tremendous patience teaching a room full of 7th grade girls to sew. Sheesh! Only a 13 year-old could be so sure she knew more than a college graduate! I’m sorry, Helen!!

4. The process of taking flat fabric and patterns and turning them into 3-dimensional articles of clothing seemed magical to me. Still does!

5. I have never had any interest in trying to manufacture my own clothing designs, but I always wanted to wear clothes that were uniquely ME. Colors I liked. Fabrics that I enjoyed wearing. Design lines that were both functional and pretty to my aesthetic sense. Still do!

6. Fit. I grew up wearing clothes that were custom fit to my size and shape. Why would you settle for something off the rack that wasn’t “just right” when it was easy enough to “make it so”. I see friends of mine exclaiming over the “great fit” of their RTW garments, and most of the time I manage to keep my mouth shut. Most of the time. 😉 OK, occasionally.

7. I love the process of sewing. It is a challenge to sew. You have to “think it through” and keep your brain engaged pretty much the whole time. Forget auto-pilot; ain’t gonna work out for you.

8. Sewing beats the pants off watching TV. Except for possibly Downton Abbey. Even as a kid I really never cared much for TV, and now even less so. When I do watch TV these days I am usually knitting or sewing at the same time, with only partial attention to the tube.

9. I get to sew adorable clothes for my adorable grand-daughter!

10. Being part of the local and national sewing community has enriched my life beyond even my extremely fertile imagination. So many friends, so much support, and so much darn good fun. Y’all know that ASG is my favorite sewing organization, and the online community has expanded my connections around the globe. What could be cooler?

11. Now I get to pass the joy and skill of sewing on to others. No matter how tired, stressed out, or anxious I might be, when I see one of my students light up with pride at their accomplishments, I wouldn’t trade that moment for anything. Not even Extreme Moosetracks ice cream. For reals!

12. My sewing machine never talks back to me. I can tell her anything and she never complains, but just listens patiently, and purrs along. Ohh, the secrets she could tell. 😉

13. I love creating, and sewing is my favorite medium. It engages my brain, tickles my design sense, and gives me a big ole endorphin-rush of happiness.

How about you? Why do you sew?

Happy sewing!

Maris

p.s. For another creative blogger story, be sure to read Stephanie’s story of “Why I Create” .