I sew, I create, I make. I am worthy of respect and not bound to the ties of social convention, marketing or retail that thinks I should be a certain size or way.
I sew therefore I am free.
Long ago we all sewed. We made and we were confident that we could “do”. Sure, some of us were better at it than others. Some loved it and some dreaded it. But we could do it and a million other things that are now taken for granted, scoffed at or thought to be just for those unable to swipe a credit card and have it done for us.
At one time we all “did” and we were free. (No, not perfect, but not caught by the short hairs either by inability so stunning that is makes one’s eyes bug out at times)
And then time marched on and manufacturing took over and social norms changed. We no longer did for ourselves. We became modern, we became enlightened and yet we lost things. We lost skills and ability and even the confidence that we could do these things that our foremothers and fathers took for granted each day.
Yes, we gained the notion that as women and men we are equal and yet in the same breath that fight for equality and the march towards a bright future lost us something as both men and women. We lost trust that we could do for ourselves and one of the smallest but most powerful examples is in sewing.
A Canary in our Very Own Coal Mine
While often overlooked it seems I think that the loss of sewing skills and confidence as a society was a canary in the social coal mine to a time where we actually throw away a $200 jacket away because the zipper is messed up. Or spend our time feeling like shit because we can’t find clothes to fit our very human bodies in a sea of one- size fits few garments given to us by the industry.
Learning to sew is powerful stuff. It is a step towards independence and the ability to have say in how things look, and fit and feel while not being at the mercy of our retail culture. To know how to sew is to know how to care for yourself, have confidence in your ability and that feeling translates to all parts of life.
When we removed sewing from school we actually took a step backwards and not forward. We took away a powerful tool from our girls and our boys and it is time to give them the power back.
And while school might not be the right place for this any longer our communities are. Our quilt and sewing shops, our scouts and our community meeting halls are perfect spots to gather and learn.
Who could YOU teach to sew??
Next step – Creating programs that instill confidence, not kill creativity.
My grandmother taught me to sew. Every time I sit down at my machine or pick up my embroidery hoop I think of her and the times we spent sewing together. I cherish those memories and the love we shared for the craft.
My mother taught me to sew on a treadle machine that she got for me at a church rummage sale. I come from a long line of sewers, we design clothing, guilts, curtains, etc. I love teaching people be it how to pick fabrics to finishing the project and watch the excitement on there faces as they learn and conquer new challenges, I have always taught things as far back as I can remember, it gives me great joy. Excellent article Maddie.
Well stated. Because I could sew, I had clothes that fit my vertically challenged body and would hold together. I also made friend’s dresses for school dances. I am thankful my mom taught me to sew and gave me the confidence to tackle difficult garments. I am getting the itch to garment sew again, but quilting calls my name for now.
I love the way you write girl!
We have a group in our small community interested in reuse, re-make, re-purpose. And we have been given some free space by the local school district to attempt to educate persons about fixing their clothing. I’ve now helped 2 people in the last 2 weeks hem jeans, fix waist bands and have a functional piece of clothing. We’re keeping fabric stashes out of the landfill , and trying to pass it on to others, such as the 4-H group. We hope to have a sewing circle of friends and mentors , and want to include young people, young moms, and any of those who missed Home Ec skills in high school.
Wooooow! So true, my mother is a seamstress by trade and felt it was essential that both my brother and I knew how to sew….. tailor our clothes and make things for ourselves.
Teaching others to sew is a tremendous joy for me. It’s akin to teaching a man to fish. Is is empowering as well as enlightening, opening a world of possibilities. Wonderful post!
Great post. I hadn’t really given it much thought but, realize now that I am so much happier and more peace filled when I’m creating. My sewing/crafting area is my happy place. I like cooking, am hit and miss with gardening, enjoy making scrapbooks (not digital much), and have loved seeing my kids digging in and using the supplies and things I have on hand to make and create for school projects and for fun. My youngest daughter, 15, recently started her first quilt. I am beyond thrilled that she wants to learn and create and do it with her mom: WIN! And my hubby likes woodworking and fixing things so, we work well together.
This is both encouraging and frustrating for me. I am passionate about making things. I left a career as a lawyer (even though I’m still paying enormous lease school loans) with the support of my amazing husband, to start a teaching and creating business. I’m leaning and struggling, like anyone switching careers, but I’m really frustrated by people only being interested in my classes if they’re free. I’ve done my share of free classes as a service to groups of which I’m a member and as “marketing”, but it’s hard when so many say they want to learn (when I tell them what I do) but aren’t willing to pay.
When I was about 8 years old (way back in the early 80’s) my dad made his own work jeans for a while. The denim was cheaper than buying ready made jeans. He was a welder and excelled at doing layout, which he explained to me as figuring out how to make a 3D item from 2D material. So he saw no difference between working with metal or fabric. It was all the same thought process. And that’s what got me started. I don’t know that he understands my quilt making, but he likes and respects the results. Maybe some day I will have him help me learn to make clothing patterns. Sewing is art. Art is life, and art connects people. That’s how it should be.
I’ve been sewing for over 20 years and just recently, my 18 year-old son asked me to teach him to sew. I can think of no higher value of feminist design than teaching young men that it’s okay “think like a girl”!
I agree with you – we have lost a lot of the skills we once had. Things like sewing, making change, fixing things, and cooking from scratch are all things we are losing over time as we make room for new skills and pastimes. Instead of losing sewing for girls, it should have been added for boys. I did teach my nephew to sew, and a friend. All the girls in the family know how to sew too, and my niece loves it.
I very much enjoyed reading this perspective on the subject of sewing. I, too, feel that sewing is an invaluable craft. I have found such joy, release and freedom of expression in quilting and creating, and I have had the desire to pass that along to others. I am just not sure how to do it at this point, although I am thinking I may hold classes after the first of the year. Thanks for the inspiration to follow this desire.
I’m lucky to come from a family of sewers and makers – my mother, my aunt, and my grandmother all sewed and made – I love to sew but wish I had also learn to knit and crochet from my mum when I lived close to her !
Leanne, You can learn to crochet and knit and make your mother very proud that you have the desire to follow in your foot steps. Learn from a friend, go to the library, watch a u-tube video to learn either knit or crochet.. once you get that down..make a scarf…easy to manage for first project. Then go learn the other.. they are really very similar just one hook or two needles. I wish you live close I could teach you both.
I learned to sew for real in 6th grade Home Ec. and the skill has served me well ever since in recreation, creativity and thrift. Would that every child and adult could have the opportunity!
Working with my next door neighbor’s youngest daughter, who enjoyed the brief sewing class at her school and wanted to learn more. In return, my neighbors mow my yard in the summer and shovel my sidewalk in the winter. I often feel I’m getting the better end of this deal, but they could not afford the fabric I give their daughter for free so we might be even after all. This is where a good-sized stash comes in handy!
I was raised by parents and grandparents who were doers and makers… I learned to crochet my Barbie clothes and make stained glass and build a deck… I loved my Nana quilts and craved clothing that wasn’t available on the rack… So I learned one skill at a time over the decades… I went to art school and painted, ptinted, sculpeted and photographed. I learned to cut stone and work silver to make jewelery. I worked under a top chef and learned to cook whatever I could dream up. I went to university and learned biomedical science, animal husbandry, then communication and sociology… I had a big job, but still kept learning… I got sick and had to leave the big job, the big husband and find independence and happiness for myself and my children… and my passion for creating and my skills to do anything and everything for myself have saved my sanity and hold the key for living more with much less. My children are 11 and 8. My eldest has had a half sized Kenmore since she was six and was given a Featherweight this year… she has great colour sense and has already made some nifty quilty pillows. She also took a class on fashion sketching last year. My son can also sew and is learning woodwork and auto repair from his grandfather… and he is a wicked kitchen helper and talented artist too… He asked his school if we could start an art club at his school and I will be teaching a wide range of creative techniques… Oh and I also collect and restore vintage sewing machines and furniture… And have extensive gardens at my cottage… ADHD with OCD can be a super power… Making what you want and need feels so much better than buying it…
Amazing post! And quite impressive!!