Thank you to all the friendly readers who wished me well last week. I am indeed improving rapidly and am almost at 100%.During my down time I shocked my husband, my mom, and my 6th grade Home Economics teacher and picked up a needle and thread for the first time since that dastardly class.
The thing is, sewing is good for the earth and good for the pocketbook. Mending what you have will save money and precious resources over disposing of the tattered and buying new. So the hole in my slipper is now covered (with a reused stained sweater!), the tear in my duvet cover is now sewn up tight, and the lining of my coat has been reattached to it's shell where it had ripped away. I feel accomplished.
Of course, you will have to check back in a couple weeks to see if any of these repairs is actually holding up. I know that said Home Ec. teacher is not placing any bets on me. But I truly do want to get good at this. Ok, maybe good is asking a little much. Proficient?
I have goals of hand quilting blankets and, gasp, actually learning how to run a sewing machine, but I have no idea where to even begin. I know my slipper is a first step. I am happy about that...but what next?
Do you do your own mending? Sewing? Quilting? Etc...Where did you learn? What are your tips for those wanting to get started?
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11 comments:
i can sew by hand - i can hem and put on buttons. i can't darn socks or knit. i can use a sewing machine to sew a straight seam but i can't put in zippers or buttonholes or anything terribly useful. i CAN make things like shower curtains and curtains and pillows and such and i am about to make a new shower curtain, sink skirt and window ruffle for my bathroom out of curtians i bought on clearance at target for less than 35$. when im done i will post the pics on my blog... stay tuned! so glad to hear you are better!
Sewing was a girl requirement when I was growing up. I can sew my hand and on a machine. My mother and grandmother taught me how to knit and crochet.
Mending is a good way to conserve, but sewing isn't an expensive way to a wardrobe like it used to be.
Sorry to read you've been unwell! Glad you're on the mend :)
Yes we're very 'make do and mend' at our house. This is one reason why I think the current economic climate is a good thing in a way. It's making everyone do a bit more 'making do' than 'buying new'. :)
you can do it willo!
my mom taught me how to sew & i taught myself how to knit :)
I have the same goals as you for sewing. I can sew by hand and mend and all that, but I've forgotten how to use a sewing machine. I'd like to learn again, though, and I'm looking for classes. Your slipper looks adorable!
Your post ties in well with Craftzine's March Mending Month. http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/03/mend_your_quilt_1.html
Glad that you are feeling better! Thanks for stopping by...
Good on you! I have a strange aversion to sewing, scares the heck of me. Ironically, crocheting might help cure me. We'll see.
I don't sew very much but I can hem and mend - and that is because your mother taught me how!
I like your blog - you are doing a terrific job.
I wish I could visit you right now and show you how to work a sewing machine! I could also teach you how to make a quilt, put in a zipper, make your own cording for home dec trims and lots of other things. Sewing has been "therapy" for me over the past decades, as I have a very stressful job and sewing is very relaxing! I think I've made two hundred or so quilts. There MUST be a tutorial on the web somewhere that shows someone how to use a sewing machine.
Now, what I REALLY want to learn how to do is can! Oh, how I'd love to have shelves and shelves of colorful jars of beans and peaches and jams! WOW!
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