Friday, February 27, 2015

My Sewing Story

I have had this blog for almost 3 years now and while I post a good number of sewing projects I've never actually shared my sewing story. If you ask pretty much anyone who sews whether it be quilts or clothing or home decor they will usually tell you that they sew for the love of the craft and the ability to create something beautiful and practical. How each of us got to this point is usually different.

I'll be the first one to admit that I was that weird, nerdy kid that had to be making something all.....the.....time! Like constantly. I don't come from a crafty family so I used whatever I could get my hands on. I ripped apart old school supplies, stashed away used gift wrap like it was gold and spent hours stuck in my head where all the beautiful ideas where. If you stick around I may throw up pictures of some early projects. They are comical at best. 

When I was about 8 I went to a friends house for a sleepover. Her mom has a sewing machine and fabric and showed us how to hand stitch pillows for our barbies. I was hooked! I begged and begged for fabric when I got home and I finally got a yard of fabric with carousel horses all over it for my next birthday. In the mean time I grabbed old jeans and rags and put together barbie outfits, bedding, purses. I was an upcycler way before it became the thing to do. ;) Once I had my fabric my parents told me that they actually owned a sewing machine. WHAT!!!! They bought it when I was a baby with hopes of making clothes for my big sis and I to save money. They made exactly 1 dress for me.

I begged for them to take the old Singer out of storage and from about age 9 on I would spend hours in my room stitching away making pretty little things. I used my allowance money to but thread, needles, whatever I thought I needed. No one ever taught me about proper techniques, fabric selections that there were different needles and notions for different projects, but I LOVED sewing and giving away what I made. 

I started making and selling purses that I designed in high school for gas money. I learned to quilt pillows from pictures and altered my own clothes. Looking back they were imperfect but until I had my oldest daughter in 2007 I didn't even know patterns existed, paper or PDF. Call me naive but who was supposed to show me? 

I started out making photo prop outfits for my baby and dresses that out little one income family couldn't have afforded otherwise. I finally upgraded to a brother computerized machine in 2008 and really got into sewing for my little lady. I found out about the online sewing community in 2011 when my youngest was almost 2. I stalked a number of ladies that I still stalk today and learned a TON! I started my blog in 2012 to have a way to look back over things I made for my house and for my girls. A virtual scrapbook if you will. I started pattern testing shortly after. I got in way over my head a few times with patterns that I would find ridiculously simple now but I learned new techniques and finishes and ways to make the beautiful things that I had always pictured in my head.

Sewing is my mommy super power. I know the days of my girls walking up to me and asking for a seemingly impossible outfit or costume are limited. The look in their eyes when I hand them something I created from their vision is priceless. Both of my girls have already caught the love for sewing bug. I plan to nurture that love and encourage every crazy vision they ever come up with. 

My family may never quite get why I NEED to create but they love what I make and encourage me to continue. That is how I view the online sewing community. Like my not-so-little crazy sewing family. I want to encourage those just starting out and look up to those who have come before me. I don't want my love for the craft and my skills questioned because my story isn't your story. If you were lucky enough to have been taught the craft from a family member, friend or institution you should know how truly blessed you are. Please use that as a way to guide the rest of us not tear us down. After all, we are all just here for the same reason. 

Happy Sewing


Saturday, February 7, 2015

Boys CAN Wear Pink Tour


I have two little girls so I'm very used to sewing pink things. When Kelly posted that she was having a month long blog series of pink clothes for boys I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I asked my 8 year old nephew if he was interested and he was happy to help. 



Kaleb is the sweetest little boy I know and a little on the shy side. I knew I didn't want to go crazy in your face pink with him because I wanted him to feel comfortable wearing the shirt. This top is the Bowling Shirt by Scientific Seamstress. He's a little small for his age so I went with the 5/6 and I love the fit. 

The dark brown is a broadcloth and the floral fabric I picked up on sale at Walmart last spring. I made my Maddie a dress using the same fabric and this was what was left over. I think it was the perfect combination for this little man. 


After participating in the Boys Can Wear Pink Tour I now have a new found respect for mom's who sew for their boys. Patterns for girls are so easy to come by and I almost never give a second thought to what fabric I choose aside from if I or my girls like it. I'm glad that I was able to participate in a tour that is helping to break down those stereotypes. 

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