How Losing Our Belongings Led Me to Sewing with Purpose
Need often necessitates learning a new skill, and so it was with my journey into sewing. Some years ago our home was damaged and our belongings destroyed after a local oil spill. It was difficult to start again. But the experience gave us a new lens, a deeper gratitude and a joy in the simple things in life.
Replacing our clothing was a challenge and, in a thrifty effort, I grabbed an old sewing machine and began altering second hand garments to fit. What started as a practical attempt to rebuild a wardrobe slowly became my introduction to learning sewing properly and, eventually, pattern drafting.
It was a frustrating process. I didn’t understand the machine, basic construction methods or how to tailor. My only experience was in fancy dress costumes I had previously made for my children up-cycled from scraps with a needle and thread, used as a rustic form of adhesive rather than a strategic skill. (read more on how that chapter did actually start me drafting patterns here).
Sewing Out of Necessity
But it was in this chaos that my urgent efforts to clothe myself and need to find an affordable way met serendipitously. I found help in two incredible teachers, Sarah & Helen. I invested more in learning fibre skills than I did in re-clothing, convinced the further I walked this path that it might lead to a better, kinder wardrobe and relationship with clothing. At times, it felt like my limited, haphazard wardrobe was wearing out faster than I could learn to make one. But step by step I delved into skills that lit me up and making do with the little I had faded in comparison to the possibility I was nurturing…to make clothing and gifts from scratch for myself and others.
From Loss to Learning Fibre Skills
In the past few years I have learned to sew, pattern draft, fit, quilt and embroider. I couldn’t have imagined losing our belongings would have led to finding joy, beautiful creative processes and my own little business sharing them with you. Somehow crafting out of a place of need made each make even sweeter. I discovered intentional crafting and skills that shone all the brighter for their need and purpose. I hope I can share that with you in this little space. Have you ever worked hard on a project only to find you don’t know what to do with it upon completion? Or maybe you dare not peer in a crafting drawer where the stray creations live without a purpose. I think completing a project is an accomplishment to be celebrated. Of course we should enjoy the process but documenting your journey with a make to be treasured allows your work to keep giving and your reward to feel greater. Join me on this journey to finding a place of value for all of our lovingly handcrafted creations!