There’s a universal understanding that sewing is a solitary activity. You sit down, turn on the machine and listen to the belts gently hum as you feed fabric under the needle. Generally, it’s not a time for conversing with others or reading that last book you spent weeks looking for. It’s a time for quiet reflection and concentration.
Why would anyone choose to sit there quietly, left to their own thoughts and stare at the same fabric design for hours at a time? How mind numbingly boring, right?
Not necessarily.
It’s a time to get lost in the creation process.
Hours will pass by quickly while working on a very labor intensive project.
I’ve sat on my couch and spent hour after hour carefully hand beading wedding dresses and veils for brides.
“Wow, Rachel…you need a hobby.”
Psst…guess what. This is my hobby.
I’m happy to be left to my own devices. Just give me a needle, thread and scrap of fabric. Because I’m one of those behind-the-scenes kind of people. I like seeing all the work that goes into something, and then standing back and admiring the final creation. I gravitate towards difficult, labor intensive projects because I get a bigger sense of accomplishment when it’s finished. Like I conquered a huge mountain (of fabric) and triumphantly walked away the victor.
My personality suits the quiet endless hours of sewing.
I’m painfully shy.
Like, force me into the spotlight and I’ll probably cry.
But sewing is a way for me to express myself without words. I don’t need anyone else to speak up for me. I can let the fabric do the talking.
That’s the main reason I sew.
I don’t have the pipes to be an awesome singer. I’m not athletic or great at sports. I’m pretty clumsy. I’ve tried to make music, but my mind doesn’t work that way. And the extent of my baking abilities pretty much comes out of a red box with Duncan Hines on the front of it.
I wish I was good at other things…but my brain is hardwired for arts and crafts. So if that’s what I’m good at, well then, I’m going to rock at it and give it my all.
And my family has been very supportive and encouraging of my talent in sewing. When I was growing up, I could use my mom’s sewing machine whenever I wanted. My parents then bought me a serger when I graduated high school. Hubby’s aunts gave me my first sewing machine for our wedding. Later, Hubby and his parents chipped in for my Juki for my first Mother’s Day. And since then, my Grandma Mary has bestowed her quilting machine frame and long arm sewing machine on me, with the promise to use it for Good and to bless others.
I’ve been very fortunate to have so much support.
I know how lucky I am.
So I try to give back.
I’ve made and donated baby quilts over the years. Tailored clothes for others. Taught ladies how to use their machines and shared good reference books. And I’m always up for teaching others how to sew. I love sharing.
I will admit…I don’t usually let people know that I sew. Mostly because I’m shy about it. I don’t like a lot of attention or praise. I shy away from the spotlight. But that’s just me.
And that’s why I sew.
Happy sewing! I would love to hear your story. 🙂
