Has sewing changed my life?

Tilly posed this question over the weekend. And what follows is a pretty long post in response, I've tried to break it up a bit with some photos.

It is something I have been thinking about for a while now, it's difficult to explain how something like sewing can change your life. I started sewing in February of this year, and things are different for me since then, I think *I* am different since then. Things I've stitched in the last five months are here: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12.

Off the top of my head sewing has affected my confidence, my personality, my taste, my lifestyle, my blog, my spare cash ;-) It has brought me my studio, the discovery of a passion for teaching and it has enabled me to be part of a group of like-minded and very creative individuals.

I have been searching for my "thing" for years, I've always dipped in and out of crafts, I've tried many and been capable of most, but nothing ever grabbed me and kept me interested. It's only been 5 months but I know that sewing is the one for me, it combines so many skills and is often as much about engineering and the mechanics of construction as it is about pretty fabrics and creating something out of cloth. It has awakened in me a passion for teaching and passing skills on to others, I never knew this about myself and don't know if I ever would have discovered it were it not for helping a friend when we were both first learning.

I have noticed a marked increase in my confidence since I first sat at the sewing machine, and not just in knowing I can do things/make something/repair something. I'm less shy because I have something about which I'm passionate to talk about, that might sound weird but it's true. I'm more outgoing, less awkward and more able to talk to strangers because I feel like having a passion makes me more interesting (whether it actually does remains to be seen).

I don't shop in the same way (ignoring the fact that I spend way more on fabric and notions than I did on clothes), I won't buy something that's poorly cut, I now know what it means and understand why some manufacturers do it. I inspect the construction of every garment, I have a much greater appreciation for vintage clothing and know that most of today's high street wares couldn't dream of making it to vintage status, because they will have fallen apart in a few seasons or less.

My spare time is spent more constructively than ever, making things, designing things or reading about what others are making and designing. But it's relaxing too, sitting at the sewing machine and hearing the hum, I have been known to decline social engagements to sew.

Without sewing I wouldn't have my beloved studio and to be very honest I don't think this little blog would still be here. Although I'm not a big part of the sewing blog community at all, I do feel that I'm a very small part of a wonderful circle of people who are able to answer any question and provide endless inspiration.

Something else sewing has brought me is feeling closer to my mum, she died very suddenly last year. My mum was great at sewing (and everything actually, I got all my creativity and practicality from her) but I was scared of sewing machines and never got to learn anything from her, this makes me sad but at the same time I feel happy that I can now do something she was good at. I know she'd enjoy seeing me wearing my self-stitched dress, and she'd probably point out the dodgy stitching too.

Needles and threads are even creeping in to my drawings. Sewing has got me tuned in to my creativity more than any craft before it, not a day goes by when I'm not creative in some way, it's really special.

Last but not least, sewing has given me the basis, the confidence and the power to have new dreams for my future and the courage to take steps towards them.

xo Kirsty.

PS This is not to mention the uncontainable joy when someone compliments something you stitched yourself and you get to burst "I MADE IT".

Comments

[Kat]

Aw, this was a lovely read; so nice that it makes you feel closer to your Mum, too :) I love that dress in the second pic, too -- you're obviously very talented for someone who's only been sewing five months!

[Louise]

I jumped over from Tillys post. I can completely identify with your comment about your Mum, same here. She was a fabulous sewer/knitter and most of my basic knowledge came from my childhood being surrounded by her sewing all the time (both for pleasure & money) as well as more technical knowledge I've picked up recently via blogs/internet. She died 6 years ago and my interest in sewing has risen since then. I often think she would be amazed and impressed to see what I'm doing these days but I really really do miss her guidance and her presence as a sounding board, there have been many times I've sat at the sewing machine and wished I could ring her up to ask her how I should do something. Instead I have to turn to blogging community to find the information even if I don't get the emotional reassurance that I was looking for... So it makes me more determined to teach my girls to sew the way I was, they are already my 'Pin Monitors' taking pins out for me as I'm sewing a seam! I think I'll research some simple things for them to make to make sure the sewing gene remains nurtured in our family.

[karen]

What a very lovely, sincere and eloquent blog post.

[Alma Laidlaw]

What a wonderful connection to your Mother through an art and craft--an opportunity to create in her memory. My mother, although she could not sew, supported me in my endeavours in the sewing area. I purchased an embroidery machine after she died with some money that she left me. That machine is very special to me. There are so many new sewing supplies available today that make sewing easier and so more fun. Take some time to explore these tools and your creativity will go even higher. Thank you for your post and the opportunity to reflect.

[Kiki]

Thanks so much for the lovely comments, ladies! I was a bit unsure about posting the part about my mum as it's quite personal, but I'm glad I did. xo Kirsty

PS Louise, I LOVE that your girls are pin monitors for you, if I ever have any children they will definitely be learning to sew. I try to get my nephew interested, I don't know if he'll ever want to try it himself but he likes watching me make things.

[Tilly]

Kirsty, thank you so much for such a thoughtful response. I was so moved to read the way sewing has impacted on your life. Your connection to your mother and the increase in your confidence are particularly touching. x

[natalie]

Sobbing a bit at my desk- not a good look, but totally worth it to see in print what I have long suspected- that you have found something to truly focus your passion, talents and creativity in, and I have seen the change in you as a result. Very proud of you and all that you do xxxx

[Kiki]

Tilly, thank you for the lovely comment and thank you for posing such a thought provoking question in the first place. I love that you're doing a paper on our little world, I'm sure it will provide a wonderful insight for 'outsiders'.

Nat, you big softie! Thank you xxx