My passion for sewing began when I was a little girl sitting next to my mom as she would sew our matching outfits. At the age of four, my mom and dad bought me my first little sewing machine for Christmas. I was so excited. In a video that I received from my mom this last summer, I was asked by my daddy what I wanted for Christmas and I told him that I wanted “2 sewing machines”. I only got one! And I have been sewing ever since.
I love the feel of the fabrics and their textures and colors. I love cutting a garment or a quilt or other project out and sewing it together to make something! It is a thrill to take flat fabric and make it dimensional or even into something with lots of other pieces and colors like in a quilt. Sewing is creative and allows me to express it in so many ways. If you sew, then can’t you relate? I have found the process to be exciting and rewarding.
I started making garments many years ago when I first started sewing. It was great fun to find the right pattern and fabric. I would make a few other craft items also. After I graduated from college and started my first job in the sewing industry, I learned many other skills, such as, quilting and free-motion sewing, and appliqué. Appliqué and quilting allowed me to start collecting many new fabrics and colors. It was fun to put together the different color combinations.
Created and designed by Dawn
Photo courtesy of Dawn
Then after several years it was time to move to the world of machine embroidery and embroidery software. What a fabulous combination. I love to create in the software and stitch it out on the embroidery machine. You can create many fabulous projects. Many of my family members benefitted from me learning and experiencing this new skill. Machine embroidery and software projects are still my favorite to spend time on doing for gifts and other projects. Over the last year or so I have really wanted to get back to making garments, which has been a wonderful new adventure. I have taken some classes to update my knowledge and skills. I have made some fun new things to wear and hope to share some of my experiences.
I have also learned that sewing is beneficial. It stimulates the brain and creative juices. It also increases motor development. Sewing is a wonderful outlet and stress reliever. I find it to be cheaper than counseling and I have spent money on that as well. It is certainly more fun. It is also something that can be done on your own or with a group of friends. Sewing and quilting retreats are a great social event and fun way to also get some projects done. Learning new techniques and taking classes are also important to continue using the brain and creative juices. And sewing friends are the best, and they share ideas, fabrics and patterns.
Do you imagine what you can make out of different fabrics you see or have bought? Do you like the process of making a project, whatever it might be? What are your favorite things to sew? One of my good friends has started a 100 day challenge. You make a project from your stash each day for 100 days. Visit her blog for more information.
I don’t sew every day, however, I am always thinking about the next project. I usually have several projects going on at the same time. Sometimes, I have to stop and focus on just one project so that I can get it done. I like to think about new creations and how to do a project differently. I hope to share some of those new creations and some tips and techniques in future blogs. But for now, think about why you love to sew and let me know. I would like to hear why you love sewing. As you can see there are many reasons I love to sew.
Until next time . . . keep those machines buzzing or at least thinking about them buzzing.
Dawn