Back in November I wrote about ways you can support you favorite local quilt shop. Of course I mentioned shopping there but I also included a nice list of things you can do that make a difference that don’t cost a dime. How to be a BFF to your LQS is totally worth your read but today I would like to talk about fostering a culture that respects and uplifts its makers. About creating as a worthy pursuit that is a culturally valid use of our time, our attention and our monies and how we reignite that passion and practise at its most basic level.
While I personally swim in a pod that is culturally rich with creators I know that this does not reflect the world as a whole. There is not a time when I mention what I do for a living when making contact with the outside world that people don’t question if sewing is still a valid and worthy pursuit. “People still do that?” or my personal favorite “my grandmother used to sew, she is dead now”
Dead grandmother’s aside sewing is still a worthy and amazing endeavor that we need to be teaching to not only the upcoming generation but to those friends who missed the empowerment of knowing that you CAN create what you see. You can do anything from quilting and sewing with leather like the amazing Cathy Wiggins to clothing like Trudy at HotPatterns to quilting like Jamie Wallen. Not to mention reenactment sewing, Cosplay sewing and much more! Like really, there is something for EVERYONE in the world of sewing.
Sewing is not just one thing, and by letting whole generations of people off the hook from learning it at least as a basic life skill we are doing them a major disservice and this responsibility rests firmly on our shoulders.
The average american is watching 5 hours of tv a day – 5 HOURS. That is an amazing amount of time that could be converted from passive entertainment into creative potential. Facebook gets more eye-time than even that… these are the things that make so many people say that they “don’t have time to learn to sew” or that when they retire they plan on sewing.
It is not all doom and gloom I am glad to report. Cosplay sewing it growing every day and for these people I am sad to see the closing of places like Hancock Fabric’s across the country since if you need faux fur, metallic slinky or other amazing fabrics to make a costume they were one of just a very small handful of national retail shops where you could find such things and now they are to be no more. (Honestly their quilting cotton was subpar and sucks, but they rock the snake print vinyl!) Hancocks is one of the bigger victims of the lack of sewing knowledge in our day when we also see local quilt shops struggling to stay open and many falling under as well.
So how can you help?
- Share your craft! Show off what you make and set up a time for friends to come to your place and learn to sew. Set up a hand sewing circle for lunch time at your work. Make up little kits from your extras that people can take home.
- Don’t be the sewing police. Everyone was a beginner at one point and perfection is NOT the goal right out of the gate. Be you not the ass-wipe who kills someone else’s sewing mojo.
- Be Sew-helpful – Let children sew. Let them fart around on your sewing machine just learning what it can do. Give them a BASIC lesson and then let me loose. Provide them with fabric and thread and good scissors of their very own. Be their cheerleader not their critic no matter how much you have to bite your tongue to do it.
- Be sew-generous – If you are in the position donate an unused sewing machine to someone who wants to learn. There are more than enough extra sewing machines languishing in closets that no one who wants to learn to sew should be without a machine.
- Be sew-social and invite anyone who is interested to be part of the fun. Don’t exclude people with testicles! Men make amazing sewing artisans when given the chance. Open the door wide for them so that any stigma involved can be shed on the way through.
- Be sew-open– Not everyone who sews (or wants to sew) is going to look like you. As a quick check list – they might be younger or way older. They might have multiple facial piercings or hair that is 6 different colors. They might dress in clothes you don’t understand or listen to music that confuses you. Hell they might be your doctor, your lawyer or the guy who picks up your trash… remember everyone sews… or can sew with a little help
So tell me, how are you helping to spread the good news of sewing?
I just got home from a party where we were talking about someone who retired and said he was doing nothing. He’s thinking about going back to work part time because he thinks he needs the mental stimulation. I then said I had no problem because I make quilts. His response was that quilting did not provide any benefits because it’s “just sewing” and doesn’t make your mind work. I then listed a litany of skills necessary to quilt and I convinced everyone but him. GAH!!!!!
My son sews fab quilts and he has never been treated poorly at quilts shops…usually the ladies go out of their way to help. He has great eye for color and does all kinds of arty stuff…like building a dining room table for his wife for Christmas…
I practice the Let Children Sew and let my grandkids go. (much to the shock of my daughter in law) Set the machine speed slower, tell them not to put their fingers too close. Let them do whatever. This summer’s family vacation will include three sewing machines and paper piecing string blocks. My grandson will be right in the mix, after all the machine has a motor and a pedal. He’s made a mini quilt of his own.
When my Grandchildren were young enough to need babysitting during spring break, I set up a Sewing Camp at my house for them and a neighbor’s child. They drew animals and people on fabric, sewed them to a backing fabric, and stuffed them. Of course, they were allowed to sew with the sewing machines. These were really simple projects, but they were the child’s work, start to finish. I don’t think they get enough of that type of activity in their highly structured lives.
Great article! I was on a plane, short hour trip, the young woman next to me looked rather condescendingly at my knitting “I wish I had time for that” well, sweet pea, you just wasted an hour talking across me to your colleagues across the aisle!
Yes, the it’s not perfect phrase should be banned……!
I just read where the Hancock fabric stores are closing. I’m so sad. ??I already know that when I retire from my regular teaching job, I will do more with alterations and quilting. I have learned the love of sewing from my mom. She sewed almost all our clothes while we went through grade school.(3 girls,2 boys) I’ve passed the skill onto my 4 daughters. I’m in the process of sewing bridesmaid and flower girl dresses for the first daughter’s wedding. Can’t wait for grandchildren so I can start over with the little blankets,shirts,outfits,stuffed animals . Let’s not let this be a dying art.
My wife quilts. Our son paid his way thru university working as a sail maker. We just bought our granddaughter (8) a sewing machine for Christmas. I have an old machine I have used for sail repairs, covers, etc. Could say we are doing our part lol!!!!!!
Thank you so much for this!!
I feel like the “Quilt Police” thing is a big stumbling block when it comes to new quilters remaining active. There is so much criticism when someones project isn’t absolutely perfect, people feel they are “not good enough” to be a quilter. I have talked to numerous people about this and encourage them to keep going! Just keep swimming, so to speak. People need to enjoy the process of creating, otherwise they give up, and if they are scared of being lambasted for projects that aren’t perfectly constructed they’ll throw in the towel.
I noticed in a lot of FB quilt groups the first thing people will write when they post their project is “I know it’s not perfect” or “some of my seams don’t exactly match up, please be nice”, which is heartbreaking! People are so scared that they have to basically write some kind of disclaimer, because they know that people are going to be very quick to point those things out instead of just saying “cool! you’ve created something pretty sweet!”.
Not every quilt has to be perfectly constructed to be perfectly awesome! 🙂
Great read and very well said. I’ve quilted for years, but my mojo gets busted regularly – if only I was perfect. I will pledge to say kind things and encourage others to SEW!!!!
I agree, let’s not let sewing die! Welcome all those who are interested in learning regardless of age or sexual orientation.
was glad ;to learn that Libraries loan or equipment of many kinds; will check my Library near our Senior Retirement Campus. At 85+ I share sewing information with those asking for help; have loaned machines and taught 4H Club & Home Extension County classes. The spark is still hot and ready to ignite the desire of anyone wanting to learn.
PS: I have just learned some basic Quilting making an Owl Grow-up Chart; got lost to learn yet!
“Men make amazing sewing artisans when given the chance. Open the door wide for them so that any stigma involved can be shed on the way through.”
Let’s be clear though, women aren’t the ones blocking men from sewing. That’s the patriarchy in action.
I have to say that I disagree. I get to hear lots of stories from male quilters and how they are treated when they enter into the quilt store world and I have seen it myself when out shopping with male friends who sew. There are two typical reactions, they are either assumed to be husbands and shown where to sit or they are given the evil eye or silly pandering attention “how cute is that – he sews!” As a shop owner I bend over backwards to make sure my store is egalitarian as possible and each person who enters my door is a quilter until proven otherwise.
I’ve sewn since I was a kid and always *ALWAYS* gotten shit for it. My family were jerks about it unless they needed something mended. When I wanted to take sewing classes in high school, teachers and guidance counselors put me in shop class instead because “sewing is for girls”, and when I finally got a fabric store to hire me, they put me in the stock room. And now, even though I design, sew, professionally quilt, restore and repair machines, teach, and work with a lot of artists, one shop locally wouldn’t hire me because she said that I would make her customers “uncomfortable”. Patriarchy isn’t my enemy. It’s those pockets of close minded idiots who can’t separate knowledge, talent, and passion from basic genitalia (which, by the way, doesn’t have the ability to cut and sew of its own volition). My sewing mojo wasn’t killed, however. It’s actively enjoying stealing her customers.
Really? Patriarchy? I thought men in my family had different interests than me. Besides there are a few outliers like my grandson who sews on s mom’s machine every day.
I am fortunate enough to be near the international quilt study center and museum which allows my local guild and some charity groups to come and sew there on the weekends. We get to mingle with the public and we get to sew with friends. Honesty I want to do more. I would like to teach some basics to those who want to start to sew or quilt. I will keep promoting this through my guilds and plan to be involved in local county fairs which also promotes groups to come and sew during the festivities.
Right on point!
PS. If your library doesn’t have a program like this, and you are interested in partnering with them to start one, here’s a link to a news article about the Sacramento California Public Library that has a “library of things”:
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/education/article8920145.html
Fabulous! I live in a small rural town & Ill see if they are interested ?
Before donating a sewing machine, check with your local library. A number of libraries across the nation now offer check out of things other than books and music! It is not unusual to find libraries checking out hand tools, power tools, garden tools, and sewing machines. For someone who cannot afford to purchase a machine, being able to check one out from the local library for free is a great way for them to have the opportunity to indulge their creativity without having to put out a lot of money. Also, consider partnering with your local library to offer free sewing classes. For young mothers or fathers who are on a limited income, learning how to sew up little dresses or pillow cases or even toys can be not only a budget saver, but can also give them a feeling of satisfaction when they see their children, or their household, benefiting from their newly learned skills.
I do alterations and tailoring for my bread and butter, working in a local shop as the only seamstress. I am also a sewing instructor. Three years with my local Joann Fabrics and now with a quilt shop as a sewing instructor to help them broaden their range of clients. I refurbish vintage machines. I teach people to maintain their machines, no matter the age of the person or the machine itself. My three sons can work their way around a machine when they need to as well. I do mending for a local second hand shop and have made sure my friends feel free to call me with any questions. It’s hard to watch the decline. With enough of us working together and sharing our knowledge, maybe we can keep this noble and necessary trade alive. It is not just a craft, but we are craftsmen no matter the gender in front of the machine.
I totally love what you said!
Thanks for this awesome article! I agree! Don’t be the ass that kills someone’s sew mojo! I love to donate fabric, supplies and machines to others. It does my heart good. I especially love to teach others the basics and set them free to create! My grandchildren are even spreading the magic among their friends! We are currently trying to find a few machines to gift to a brownie troop! So bravo Maddie, you’re my hero!