Why Sew?
When I was about six years old, my grandmother taught me how to sew.
Once a week for several months, my sister and I went to her house for sewing lessons. At the end of the school year, we held a “fashion show” to model what we had made. I remember making a dress for my Barbie doll and a skirt for myself. My sister had similar projects.
To this day, I still enjoy sewing. I’ve made curtains for my living room (though I had to replace one that my cat tore up), a purse, pillowcases, and have been able to mend or alter several items of clothing.
But what’s the pull? What’s the point of sewing?
It’s Unique
You go into any store, and you’ll find the same products, reproduced over and over. Change the color, add a logo, make it in different sizes. This, of course, is the point of mass-produced items. They’re cheap because companies know what works and make what sells. But if you make something yourself, those boundaries aren’t in place. You can buy fabric and make something brand new, you can repurpose one item into another, you can combine fabrics to make something of your own. Sewing is fun because it lets you make something totally new.
When I thrifted this dress, it had long sleeves. I cut them and did a basic hem around the arm holes for a cute summer dress!
It’s Economical
Mending clothes seems like an old-fashioned skill, but it makes so much sense. Missing button? Add one back on. Rip in your jeans? Pick up denim patches and sew them in (you can get iron-on ones but I always sew them for additional security). If you know some basic sewing skills, you can fix a lot of things quite easily.
Tip—If you don’t know how to sew, or don’t know how to do a particular skill, go on YouTube! There are hundreds, if not thousands, of videos teaching various aspects of sewing. Of course, if you want to learn basics, or to sew a particular project, sign up for a sewing class.
If you want to make a new item instead of fixing an old one, sewing it yourself can also save you money. Of course, you can go buy a $7 shirt at Walmart on the sales rack but the quality might not be there. If you want a one hundred percent cotton shirt for cheap, look for some fabric. Better yet, hit up a thrift store and buy a cotton sheet. Upcycle it to make your shirt!
The strap on this cute dress came off so I simply re-attached it.
It’s Environmentally Conscious
Mending saves your old items from the landfill. Again, it’s super easy to fix simple things like buttons and tears (this used to be done years ago!). You can also take it one step further and upcycle one item (or combine a few items) to make something brand new. I once had a lovely embroidered blouse that had a tear on the sleeve, so I removed the arms, sewed up the bottom, added a pillowcase as a liner and some cording for a handle…and had a lovely little purse.
It’s Fun!
Sewing can be a relaxing hobby where you get to use your creative side. Browse Pinterest for some ideas or just walk around a fabric store (or a thrift store!). Make gifts, make some new clothes.
Whatever it is, you’ll end up with something so unique!
Thanks for reading!
💜
Laura
