Learning to Sew
For centuries, sewing has been a highly sought-after skill which was usually passed down through generations. In modern times, learning to sew still retains importance across all cultures and has become a favorite past time and hobby for millions of people. The ability to hold a seam or make an effective cross stitch is not easy but when you see a beautifully sewn dress or item of clothing, it is easy to understand why this skill is still held in high regard.
I am going to outline some benefits of learning to sew, from basic methods to complex patterns and explore how you too can pick up this highly important skill.
Sewing in early times was done by hand and the art of sewing was developed through years of practice and discipline. Just think of what it would take to hand stitch a King’s gown or velvet curtains for a palace…not something I would want to do by hand. Fast forward to the invention and development of the sewing machine and suddenly, the skill of sewing on a large scale becomes possible for many people. Technology is a wonderful thing!
Now with a sewing machine, a bit of spare time and a quick search on the internet, the joy of sewing is made available to everyone. From replacing a broken zipper to designing your costume for a formal party, you are now well suited to fix things by yourself and experiment with different types of style in your sewing.
So why should you put the time aside to pick up sewing? Well, I’m glad you asked!
Reason #1 – Saving money
This is a big one for me. There is nothing worse than having a zipper in my favorite jeans give up and then needing to have it replaced. Taking these jeans to a tailor would cost anywhere from $15-$20 to have the zipper replaced which can start to add up across several different pairs. This also goes for dresses, blouses, shirts etc. After watching the tailor work for 10 minutes, I decided to learn how to fix this issue myself and haven’t looked back. That $20 can now be spent on more important things…like coffee! Thanks to my Janome sewing machine which I’ve found on Design My Costume. There is also a vast amount of money to be saved if you have the ability to make designer shirts and pants for a fraction of the cost in stores. Just don’t tell Calvin Klein.
Reason #2 – Sewing Therapy
Hearing the whirl of my sewing machine and the gentle clicking of the needle stitching fabric really helps me relax. Sounds a bit crazy I know but it really does help me go to my happy place. The feeling of accomplishment when I have completed a specific project is a feeling like no other. Having a hobby like sewing is also a great way to exercise a different part of the brain for the greater good of your friends and family. There a fair number of studies that suggest having tasks that keep the mind busy is a fantastic way to stay healthy and contribute to your overall well-being – That’s a win-win in my books.
Reason# #3 – Freedom of design
Have you ever been a high-end store, seen a dress in the window and thought “I love that design but I could make it better” Well, now is your chance. By finding the dresses pattern or design, you can set to work creating your own version or make the design better by adding subtle touches or taking away some of the clutter of the design. The internet is a wealth of design ideas from dresses to pants to full blown party costumes, there is something available for all skill levels and tastes. The real beauty of the internet is that there is also a massive pool of other sewing professionals who you can draw inspiration from and ask for help if you need it. Looking for a friendly word or guidance on designing your costume for Halloween? Look no further than the helpful people of the internet.
Reason #4 – Additional income
Sewing and alterations are big business. Just take my zipper story as one example of what is available to someone who can make alterations and repairs with a sewing machine. After you have put in some time learning the basics of alterations and repairs, you will be able to start offering your services on a variety of different platforms which will pair you with people who need garment repair. If you own a brand like Singer then it will be like a walk in a park. You can also advertise your newly acquired set of skills at community events or meetings in your area with the view to either create new pieces from scratch or make all kinds of alterations including hemming, seams or zippers/clasps.
Reason #5 – Old fashioned boost to the confidence
By undertaking anything like learning a language, learning to build something, painting or writing a book, you will discover a different level of concentration and resolve to learn that skill to the best of your ability. By the time you graduate from simple patterns to more intricate designs like clothing, for example, you will have a renewed sense of accomplishment and that is a massive boost to your confidence and self-esteem. From there, the possibilities are endless! Throw caution to the wind and why not pick up needlepoint or knitting? Once you have the fundamentals in place, just reuse the same formula to learn and practice anything new – not just sewing.
I truly hope that you discover the fun and excitement behind sewing that I have and hopefully this article has given you some fresh ideas when it comes to the subject of getting started. As with anything that requires focus, don’t give up if things get difficult because I can assure you that sewing gets easier with time. Once the basics are in place, you can start to branch out to more complex projects and you just might find that the ancient skill of sewing has been lurking in you somewhere all along.
Happy Sewing and best of luck!!
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Girl on Fire
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I tried to do the sewing thing once cause I wanted to make clothes for my BJD’s since buying them from the companies is too expensive. I got myself overwhelmed and gave up T^T I should try again 🙂