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Fabric stores seem to be getting larger than ever, but it’s mostly middle age or older women who are patronizing them. Some young girls display a passing interest, but in my experience, it fades. Is that another sign of the times in which there are always sales at the mall, and discounters offering really great buys? Or, is it that girls today place more priority on computer savvy than making their own clothes? Sometimes I’m amazed that my mandatory year of sewing back in eighth grade instilled such a sense of accomplishment, but I think that sewing satisfaction has a lot to do with an individual’s sense of creativity.


I have always enjoyed sewing, but in my own way. To be honest, those pattern instructions read like Greek to me-and that’s a language I’ve no desire to study. Even if I did rack my brain to follow the guidelines step by step, I would still feel that much of what is called for is useless. What I like is to see is the finished product, and see it quickly. Frequent basting and ironing seem unnecessary to me. Who has the patience for that? I didn’t when I was 12, and I still don’t.
Many years ago, I found a book in the library about condensing the steps of sewing, as well as simple ways to create usable patterns. It streamlined the process to where I was able to make a dress in one evening-albeit it a basic one without lining. Not only that, it gave directions on how to remodel existing wardrobe pieces by altering sleeves and necklines. As a young single person just starting to go out with my future husband, I decided to make a different outfit for each one of our dates. Granted, they weren’t the best quality, but they turned out fairly well, and being relatively inexpensive and easy, it made that summer more exciting. Eventually, as things progressed, I was able to make some of the outfits to take on my honeymoon. The process of actually creating items to wear for such a special time added to the overall fun of my big occasion.


More people should sew, and not just to have more choices in their closet; it really comes in handy when prolonging the life of clothes already loved. It seems that I’m frequently making revisions or repairs to my family’s wardrobe, and I can’t imagine not having a sewing machine.


There are 3 basic ideas to keep in mind about sewing: First, don’t let it become overwhelming or intimidating. It’s really not necessary to perform complicated loops or twists to sew on a button; it will stay on with less than 30 seconds of taking the needle in and out of the holes. Making sewing more complicated than it needs to be will eventually result in procrastination, and eventually, a discontinuation. Second, the adage “a stitch in time saves nine” is absolutely correct. Taking a few minutes to sew a small hole could possibly salvage a favorite garment and will be less noticeable than efforts to repair a large hole. If you love your clothes enough to have bought them, they obviously deserve this little bit of maintenance. Last, a sewing machine is invaluable when you find yourself between sizes. Rather than hoping something will stretch out or that you’ll lose a few pounds, it’s safer to buy the size that’s a little roomy and then take it in. Tops can be tightened by sewing an inch or so along the side seams down from the armpit, and pants can be made more form fitting by either sewing along the inside or outside seams-depending on how they fit around the hips. (Another advantage of doing so is that if the item should shrink from laundering, the stitches can be removed.)


However, many people, especially working moms, are so busy that sewing anything would probably add more stress to their lives. To spend time sewing when there are easer ways to get fashionable clothes, immediately, seems rather silly at times. Yet, there is that special feeling of wearing something that no one else in the world has. This is why the wealthy have custom-made creations, and why “designer knock off’s” don’t have the same panache.
Perhaps I have wasted too many hours of my life cutting and pinning “experiments” that didn’t always turn out the way I’d hoped, but I still enjoyed the creative experience, and think you may as well!