Even though I’ve been sewing for over twenty-five years, I am only an amateur seamstress at best.
I failed the sewing component of home economics at high school – never did finish that stupid skirt!
You’d think that would be the end of it. However, when I started working in an office several years later, I noticed a lot of the other girls were in to sewing, and were always showing off their latest creation … and I caught the bug.
Christmas dress circa 1989
Starting Out as An Amateur Seamstress
I went to some dressmaking classes and made a couple of skirts and dresses, but they never felt “right” and I was paranoid that my terrible sewing would fall apart when I was wearing them. Most of them went straight in the bin.
As a newlywed, I discovered stretch sewing thanks to some Knitwit classes – yes, I’m a certified knitwit! I loved the simplicity of stretch sewing – no need to finish edges, as knit fabric doesn’t fray. However, stretch fabric could be expensive and the fabric was often in dowdy grandma patterns – why sew when you could buy ready made fashion, so cheaply?!
I made this outfit for a wedding in 1991. Check out the hubster’s loud shirt!
What a good little wife I was back in 1992: baking, and wearing a dress I’d made myself 😉
Another Knitwit dress, circa 1993
I even made a maternity dress – 1994
Then Mr 21 arrived, and as a family on one income, every penny counted. I discovered how easy it was to whip up a pair of boy’s shorts with an elastic waist (no fly or pockets necessary for toddlers), with less than half a metre of fabric and an hour of my time. I had so much fun sewing shorts for my boy, and buying bright (cheap!) polo shirts for a great mix and match wardrobe!
I also made myself a couple of dresses, like this 90’s tragedy below … and no, I wasn’t pregnant at the time, that was just the style!
Although I was now able to sew, I always struggled with cutting things out and joining them up the right way, and often had to unpick seams. I loved the end result, and the satisfaction of making something myself – but I didn’t enjoy the process.
25 Years Later …
Still, every now and then I get the sewing “bug” and just HAVE to make something – like the skirt below for Miss 19, or this off the shoulder dress.
And to think my grandmother was a professional dressmaker – obviously that gene didn’t get passed on to me – I’m afraid I’ll always be an amateur seamstress, at best!
Can you – do you – or would you – like to be able to sew? Or do you think “Sew what!”
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I’d love to be able to sew but I can’t! My daughter on the other hand is doing textiles at school and I’m so amazed by her abilities already! Yesterday she whipped up a pair of gorgeous shorts! I so envy people who can sew!
Miss 19 did home ec right up to Year 12 and made some amazing things. Sadly she hasn’t touched sewing since then but I’m sure she’ll pick it up again and some stage …
I was a bit of an amateur seamstress too but I think you did a lot more than I did! I did ‘Home Economics’ at high school and remember making a wrap around skirt and a babushka (so useless lol!). As a newlywed I remember whizzing up lots of curtains for our new home and was so proud of my efforts. I also recall making myself a few tops and things. As a new mum, like you, I discovered how easy it was to make shorts for my boys and made heaps of them. I don’t recall sewing any clothes for my daughter probably because there were so many cute and reasonably cheap things available at the shops. My mother on the other hand was a very good seamstress. She made the bridesmaids dresses for my wedding. She also made lots of our clothes as we grew up! Love looking at all your old photos! 🙂
Oh yes, curtains! I made lots of them too 🙂 . I’m sure you could identify with a lot of the photos 😉
I have no idea how to sew. The most I’ve ever done is sew a button back on, and even that my husband does now (he is very handy with a needle and thread and has his own sewing box! I have the best wife, lol!). My MIL is a fabulous seamstress and is always fixing things for Punky with really cool sparkly patches and things. She fixed the cape on her Frozen dress just before Christmas and made it even better than the original. And she often buys them plain shirts and pants/shorts from places like Kmart and Big W and then adds heaps of really cute and cool embellishments to them, the girls love it! Think Dinosaurs with necklaces and lots of pretty flowers, frills and sparkles.
Actually the hubster is much better at sewing than me so I have a good wife too! You have a wonderful MIL but I’m sure you already know that 🙂
Sewing is one of my favourite past times but alas I haven’t had my machine out in years, except to hem the odd pair of trousers or stitch a school shirt pocket back on (3 times in the one week! grrr!) I used to make clothes until, like you, couldn’t see the point when I could buy the same garment for next to nicks. I was just starting to get into quilting when I had my first child and that was the end of that. He’s 10 this year. I’ve been thinking about getting back into it but when? There’s just not enough hours in the day!!!!
I can confidently say you WILL get back into it again … one day!
Impressed. You are definitely not an amateur. I attempted a dress once, a double layer type and kept sewing the wrong sides together at the neckline. I was too hard to unpick what had been done, so I just cut and started again. In the end it was rather low cut in the bust.
It was a frustrating affair and I never did wear the dress. Hubby did however threaten to divorce me if I ever took on another sewing project.
Sounds like how 99% of my sewing projects go … I can’t believe I’ve done as much of it as I have, considering sewing is definitely not one of my gifts! Clearly I have a lot of determination!!!!
Also a big huge THANKS for sharing the Worth Casing Wednesday blog button. Love your style.
Well aren’t you clever!
I don’t sew, but my Mum always did. She made most of my clothes growing up.
Like you I did home economics but didn’t do sew well with it (see what I did there?). Mum always stepped in to save me.
My mum was just as challenged as I was – I think because her mum was so good at it, it put her off. However having said that, she did make some cute doll’s clothes for me when I was little which I thought was just da bomb!
I like to think I can sew, but truth be known I’m not really. Have been getting into mending stuff though and actually doing a reasonable job to extend the life things. Quite satisfying really!
Mending is almost a lost art these days too Steph, so you’re doing well!
I do LOVE to sew but I must say my creations are nothing next to my mothers – who taught me. She makes beautiful things with linings and fancy closures. I am much better at something simple in a good print! And so agree on the little boy clothes.
Hey if you can make them and wear them, you’re doing well in my book!!!