Why do I sew??? Great question!
I first began sewing with my grandmother {Mawmaw}.
When I was a little girl, she taught me how to sew a pillow. It was fun spending time with her and I had no idea the life skill she was teaching me. My Mom sewed too. She learned from her mother {Mawamw}, as well. Mom loved to sew and even earned sewing honors in 4-H, as a little girl. I watched her sew costumes, decorations, and other stuff we needed while growing up at home. I was never patient enough to learn from her though! It was definitely "not cool" to learn to sew as a teenager.
However, I learned more from her by just watching her sew on the floor. She would set up shop on the floor and use her knee to press the foot, making the needle go up and down. I never understood why she sewed on the floor and when I got my first machine I also sewed on the floor! After a few days of backaches I realized a table was much better!
I asked for a sewing machine {a Kenmore from Sears} Christmas of my Junior year in college. My family thought I was crazy, since I had did not show interest in sewing while at home. I can remember my first project trying to hem a skirt and calling my mom for advice.
After I married my true love, Mr. G, I really starting using my machine to sew pillows and decorations for our first apartment. I then attempted to make a t-shirt quilt. It is funny to look at those projects and see how much I have improved.
February of 2006, we had our first child. After about 4 months at home I decided to pull the sewing machine out of the closet and begin working. I sewed draperies, pillows, and even put together my first Jon Jon. Since then, I have been learning to sew and boy has it been a ride! I can not tell you how many times I have used my seam ripper or just thrown the project in the trash with tears. And Yes, my machine and I have exchanged a few words.
It takes mistakes to learn and you have to be patient!
I never imagined loving to sew! There is something special about taking a piece of fabric and turning it into something beautiful and practical. With the hum of the machine, I enter into a place of solitude from life. My problems disappear and I find comfort in creating.
So do you want to sew? Are you ready to begin a journey that you will regret at times, but fall in love with over and over?
I encourage you to do it!
It will be hard at first, but it is a life skill that is so worth it! You will use it over and over again in creating a beautiful home, cute clothes, and much much more. You will have to get over the mess it creates and learn to just shut the door or push it aside, sometimes coming back to it when you calm down :)
So I encourage you to join me on the journey of sewing!
I love to help and can't wait to answer questions if you have any! {jamaketcham@gmail.com}
