I want to learn how to sew so I can make myself Betty Draper-esque dresses.
Well, I'm doing it. I'm learning how to sew. Perhaps I am my mother after all.
I signed up for a Beginning Sewing I class at Stitch Lab. My first class was Thursday and I couldn't be more excited and inspired to start making stuff. I don't own a sewing machine (yet!), but if I did I would be spending the entire weekend making tiny drawstring bags because that's all I know how to do at this point. I have a loooong way to go before Betty Draper dresses will be mine.
I started learning how to sew when I was 13. My mom has been sewing and quilting her entire life and I thought I should learn. My mom was thrilled. We went to a quilt store, bought three fabrics that matched my lavender and white bedroom, and told everyone in the world that I was learning how to quilt. I cut my squares, sewed them into rows and then into the quilt top. I basted the batting and backing to the quilt top.
Then came hand quilting. It hurt my fingers. My mom said, "You have to build up the quilters callouses and keep going." I cheated. I used my fingernails to push the needle through the fabric. Instead, the needle punched holes in my fingernails. I got bored. I gave up.
I have my first quilt in our house now. It's sitting in a closet in the quilt hoop unfinished. Just as I left it 12 years ago.
I may or may not go back to that quilt. At this point it matches nothing in my house. Who knew lavender and white would be a passing color phase in my life?
That experience taught me that I enjoy working with a machine, picking out fabrics, and molding them into something special. Over the past few years, I've noticed so many funky fabrics in Austin stores and have longed to be able to make them into something. Now I can. Well, not yet. But soon! I'm going to start with small projects and gradually work up. I'm not going to bite off more than I can chew because I fear that will only end with the same result as my quilt experience.
I'm pretty excited to make wine bags for friends, throw pillows for the living room and bedrooms, tote bags, simple skirts, sarongs...
This class has inspired me to be more crafty in general. As cheesy as it may sound, I feel alive when I'm making stuff with my hands. Sure, it can be frustrating at times, but there is nothing better than having a finished project to show for your efforts. Mr. H and I are finally (two years later) getting around to putting art on our walls in our bedroom. I want to paint something. I want to stretch fabric over a frame. I want to make something wholly unique that no one else has in their home. I hope this inspiration lasts because it feels damn good. Like heart bubbling with excitement good.
Does anyone know of any good craft blogs?
In the meantime, I'll be sitting at a sewing machine on Thursday evenings in an adorable little house on S. 1st singing "bobbin my thread like yeah..." in my head because no one wants to be that girl in the sewing class.
