Tell people that you sew your own clothes, and no doubt you’ll get a similar response across the board: that they’d love to try it, but they don’t know where to start. There’s so much jargon to learn, so many gadgets to buy, and a multitude of potential needle-and-pin-related injuries to contend with. Yet sewing is like any skill or hobby – it takes practice, practice and more practice, plus a heavy dose of enthusiasm (and lots of tea).
So if you enjoyed watching Ann, Tilly and the rest of the gang on the Sewing Bee and are tempted to have a go yourself, read on for my top 3 reasons why you should stop dallying and take the plunge:
1. It’s fun!
A simple one to kick off the list with, but oh-so important (or, indeed, oh-sew important). Many feel intimidated by the idea of sewing for the first time, but no-one is judging you (unlike those poor Sewing Bee contestants), so just take things at your own pace. Even the worst mistakes can be resolved by a stitch-unpicker and a can-do attitude, and learning from your errors makes you a better sewer.
Yet it’s not just the big bad wolf of self-doubt you need to banish – it’s the I-don’t-have-time devil on your shoulder, too. Before I recently rediscovered my love of sewing – having not sewn a stitch since college – I dismissed the idea of taking it up again, believing that time spent sewing should be used for something more useful, like writing the next bestseller (I wish), spring-cleaning the house (also unlikely) or (more feasibly) watching re-runs of New Girl. Yet immersing yourself in an activity like sewing is one of the best ways to clear your mind and focus on the moment, leaving you feeling refreshed and paving the way to a more relaxed state of mind. Good huh?
Working on my latest sewing project while chain-sipping cups of tea is my idea of a pretty fab afternoon – and I get a great sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. Then, and only then, do I watch New Girl – and I enjoy it all the more.
2. You’ll get great cost-per-wear out of your sartorial accomplishments.
Let’s face it – sadly, sewing isn’t as thrifty a pastime as it once was. Sewing machines aren’t exactly cheap, and patterns and fabric can cost a bomb (although this post might be able to help you with that one) – and that’s not to mention the man-hours involved in actually creating a wearable piece.
Yet none of these things put me off – and nor should they you, because it’s all about the cost per wear. Yes, you could buy a ready-made dress for a tenner in Primark, but answer me this – which would you wear with pride and keep in your wardrobe for years to come: a cheap, fast-fashion, high street dress, or a unique garment that you spent hours making just-so? I rest my case.
3. You can create the wardrobe you imagine, not one the shops want to give you.
When I went shopping in my pre-sewing days, I often had a clear image of what I was looking for already in my mind before I’d stepped out of the door – the trouble was, most of the time the shops just didn’t stock what I was after; or, if they did, the fit would be slightly off so I’d be constantly readjusting the offending top, skirt or dress every time I wore it.
Nowadays I use the high street for inspiration, getting ideas for prints, new-season shapes and trends before heading straight to the fabric shop to create my own version that is more personal to me (and that fits me like a glove – if I get my measurements right, of course). Having a wardrobe filled with fabulous made-to-measure garments sounds like a pipe dream, but sewing makes it achievable. After all, why do you think so many bloggers participated in Me-Made-May this year?
These are just three of a million-and-one reasons to get stuck into sewing – what made you pick up a needle and thread for the first time?
Eclectic Threads 
My sister was always making beautiful things, clothing and pillows and such, with her sewing machine. Wish I had that skill! Oh the possibilities… :)
You never know until you give it a go! :)
Well said.
Exactly!! For me, what made me pick up needle and thread for the first time was, I actually bought a sewing book for somebody esle, and ended up keeping it for myself!! (greedy, lol). And, thus, sewing as a joyous past-time for me, was born. Now, I love all the different aspects of it. You have the math and geometry (which I love), the colour selection and pairing, the drafting (if u make ur own patterns), the fabrics research and selection, the pattern selection, the creativity of altering / embellishing the patterns. So many aspects, I just love it!
How lucky that you bought that book! You’re right about all the different aspects of sewing – there is a seemingly endless amount of things to learn which means it never gets boring!
I love this post! Working on my latest project while chain-sipping cups of tea is my idea of a perfect Sunday afternoon :)
I can’t remember why I started sewing, but I do have great memories of sitting for hours with my mum’s suitcase full of fabrics and feeling so content!
Me too – in fact I still love raiding my mum’s vintage button collection!
I agree so much with your first point! I also thought it was another thing getting in the way of other stuff to do (and, also, watching all-important New Girl reruns) but then I came to enjoy the process of sewing. You’re right, it is fun. Ever since I stopped caring so much about the end product and when i’d get things done, even unpicking stitches have sort of become fun – using a really sharp unpicker is surprisingly satisfying. Like all things it’s about mindset I suppose.
And reason 4. People will think you’re really clever/talented, if a little old-fashioned. I agree though, it’s a lot of fun.
Another very good reason! I don’t mind being old-fashioned :)
All excellent reasons I agree. I love to create things for the family and more importantly, in years to come some of you will be passing on your incredible skills to the generation that never had the opportunity or inclination at the time. I love the fact that both of my daughters are now avid sewers – they have a fair bit of catching up to do, but I love their enthusiasm and hunger for knowledge. Great article – thank you.
Thanks for reading! It’s great that you’re passing on the sewing skills :)
I wonder what’s the secret connection between sewing enthusiasts and New Girl, as I’m a lover of the show as well…;)
I can’t remember why I decided to buy a sewing machine, but I’ve had it for about 2 years now, although it still feels like I’m doing everything for the first time (first coat, first skirt, first use of chiffon, and I haven’t even touched silk yet…).
I agree with your points, and I love that ‘me time’ that sewing turns out to be, but I find it rather hard to tell friends and family why I don’t want to leave the house for the whole weekend, even if it’s sunny outside. How do you cope with that?
Well I watch it for Jess’ cute outfits – they give me inspiration for sewing projects! So maybe that’s it. I know what you mean about finding it hard to put aside time to sew when friends and family are about! Since I’ve started sewing I am far less grumpy about my boyfriend watching football as it gives me a chance to crack on with my sewing projects, which I think he’s rather pleased about!