Thursday, March 4, 2010

Sew, What?

 
Okay,  I'm going to call a spade a spade and admit that I realize that learning to make my own clothes is neither necessary or all that efficient. But after sharing my recent attempts to learn to crochet, this desire shouldn't come as much of a surprise to you—so at least there's that! I first saw a box full of old dress patterns at my friends store a few weeks ago, so the notion was already in my head when I came across this pattern from Built by Wendy yesterday. And I immediately thought that since I have basic sewing machine skills, I should be able to do this. But please realize that by basic I mean I can't for the life of me ever reload a bobbin, so I definitely don't understand how my machine works at all.

When I was little I had a Snoopy notebook where I used to "design" clothes. This was the period when I wanted to be a fashion designer and I was full of lovely ideas (at least in my memory!). I eventually took a home ec class in high school but really wasn't impressed by what we were learning. I even had to make a dress using a pattern, but I vaguely recall that I never finished it...for reasons that have long since gone by the way side. I do remember that I found it really hard and that the paper pattern, fabric and I didn't get along. I stuck it into a box somewhere and left clothing construction right there.

But now that I've learned how to knit and crochet, two things I didn't think I'd be able to do, I have to consider that maybe making simple clothes is within my reach. As the craft movement continues to grow by leaps and bounds, the main thing that I'm learning is that the walls of "what I can do" are coming down. Actually this applies to food as well: it's not that someone's forcing me to do this, or telling me that in order to be a good or successful woman, I have to make my own bread and hand sew quilts. Instead, I am finding that these things actually give me a whopping dose of satisfaction and a sense of control in my own life, control that when taken in projects with a decisive beginning and end, makes me feel productive in a way that is somewhat rare.

All of this has been on my mind because there's been a bit of a feminist debate going (or continuing) about the pressure to cook everything from scratch even as we're all so busy. I remain firmly on the side that if these things—whether they be cooking or crafting—are something you choose to do because you feel that it personally makes your life better, makes you a happier person, then more power to you. (And me!) I am not sure that I'll wind up making a dress that I will want to wear outside of the house, but I ordered the pattern shown above and am ready to give it a shot. I might just learn something about myself along the way.

10 comments:

  1. The greatest thing about being a woman, now, is being able to do whatever makes us happy with no apologies. So sew on.

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  2. I love that pattern! I also love how learning one craft makes you want to learn how to do more and more things. My mom is a huge crafter and instilled in me early to DO things if you want to do them, and TRY things if you want to try them. She is an amazing basket weaver and I tried and failed! Everything else I've loved!

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  3. Good luck on your clothes-making adventure! I dip my toes in that pond from time to time too and while I haven't made anything spectacular yet I do enjoy trying. I hope you'll share your progress, I'd love to see it :)

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  4. You'll do great; I've made this pattern and worn the result out of the house! Just measure and check how it's fitting before you do the finishing. :)

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  5. There's definitely something to be said for being self-sufficient, even in small ways, in terms of preparing healthful food and in having basic skills to take care of ourselves. I've started hemming my own skirts and pants, for example, and I find it empowering that I don't have to pay someone else to do it. I'm slowly gaining confidence in my sewing skills to take on bigger projects. I can't wait to see how this project goes for you!

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  6. Okay, another funny coincidence! I recently decided that I wanted to try my hand at making clothes too, and just bought this exact pattern on Monday (my LFS was having a huge sale on Simplicity patterns and each one was only $2.00)!

    And I totally agree with you - I'm a grad student, and work-part time, but I do things like baking, cooking, sewing, quilting, crochet, etc because I enjoy it and it DOES make my life better!

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  7. The craft world is a slippery slope!!!It always leads to a new project. Good luck on your sewing adventure. My friend and I sew our own clothes. I love being able to wear something that no ones eles has!!! I'm not a great semstress by any means, but the best advice I can give is just be nice to yourself, it doesn't need to be perfect and you will do great!

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  8. Although there are NOT enough HOURS in the day...I'll make make make, because it gives me joy! I'm very lucky that my hubby feels very strongly about the goodness of cooking deelicious meals so that our family is nourished by the work of his hands (and now, my sons hands too!) A very rewarding activity spent NOT working on the day job!

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  9. go for it! i also want to make some clothes this year. for some reason i'm really nervous, probably because i am not a precise sewer.

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  10. Sometimes I want to make something quick and easy, so I use canned soups and boxed pie crusts. And sometimes I want to make it from scratch, so I take the time, and I do. And sometimes I want to buy a scarf, and sometimes I want to make it myself. And I won't apologize for either route. You're right, it's all about what makes us happy. So right on, Amy dear. Go sew.

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