Stitch by Stitch

You know that preschool project I mentioned, the one that was a lesson in humility? It seemed like a simple task - I was given a small doll with a plain pattern and asked to make an outfit for it. Simply styled, no big deal...except that it wasn't as easy for me as I'd imagined it would be. It doesn't matter that the end result was cute, that my skill set allows me to fix or hide mistakes. What bothers me is that I knew it wasn't as well made as it could have been. The ghosts of the past didn't help either.

There was my Junior High Home Ec class...when I didn't complete the skirt that I was supposed to sew. Then my grandmother, who stitched every single piece of my mother's baby wardrobe by hand, because it was wartime and there was a shortage of sewing machines, the same grandmother who made my costumes by hand and deftly mended clothes - a skill that was just a given, something you should know how to do. And then there was the fact that at the age of 8 or 9 I was sewing Barbie clothes without patterns. How could I have fallen so far?

The next day I ordered this book, Stitch by Stitch: Learning to Sew, One Project at a Time. I'm going to start over, really learn how to sew this time. Not because my job demands it (in fact, women's magazines generally discourage any type of sewing in projects for readers), but because it's a useful skill to have and with six full shelves of fabric, I really should start getting serious. 

I'm a little nervous, but I'm putting it out there now. And if there's anyone who wants to purchase the book and learn along with me, we can support each other. The book teaches through projects, each project focusing on a different skill. There are mini projects, too - stitch samplers, thread drawing, and machine applique - that appeal to the crafter in me. I have no idea how long it will take me to work my way through this book, but I hope that the next time a sewing project rolls around, I'm up to the challenge!

 

Comments

[nicole.babe]

good luck in your new adventure..:) it would be a pitty to have all those shelves of fabric, and not do anything with them. you'll feel so relieved yet satisfied when you'll be done, especially with your first handmade thing.

[Candace]

Good luck...I need to go back to the basics too. My mom majored in clothing and textiles and my mother-in law is an excellent quilter and yet I have not taken the time to learn from them. My sewing is so sloppy that I wouldn't dare show it to my mother! Maybe I will get that book and learn along with you!

[Betty aka ZacksNana]

I definitely do NOT understand why html links do not work in TypePad
Here's the link
http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/bettystampstx/

[Betty aka ZacksNana]

Gosh Girl you've been busy. I've been out of town and missed few of your previous posts. But I am back and I will just say those Halloween deocrations are all so cute! I've bout had it with Halloween. Looking forward to Thanksgiving and family time! I am still in the fall color mode though so I will still be crating cards using them. FYI, I signed up on Friday to be a Stampin' Up! Demo so if you NEED anything let me know. You can vist my SU site HERE. Have a wonderful day!!!

[mjb]

You can do it! Sewing isn't hard and you'll be able to do such beautiful things.

[Sarah]

I feel your pain. I have a brand new sewing machine still in its box in my guest room. It terrifies me. I wanted a small craft one to sew on my cards and layouts but my MIL has a mind of her own.:) Anyway I will look into the book and maybe I will give it a try.

[Wendy]

I'm here for moral support. I just bought a new machine myself and will have to take a crash course in using it since Halloween is just around the corner. :)