Common Threads

I feel lucky to say that sewing has been a part of my life as long as I could remember. My mom sewed for herself all the time, and when I was younger she would sometimes make me clothes, too. She worked on a boxy tan machine with the word VIKING printed proudly on the side. It was an ugly thing, the color of a manila folder with the sort of 70's vibe that gave away its age.

The steady sound of the machine, the thudding, the hums and whirs fade into the background as she used it. When I was 11, my grandmother taught me how to sew. Twice a week we met and hand-made skorts (that classic skirt-short combo) which were fun for us to make and me to wear. I remember we would take trips to Joann where I delightedly picked out the fabrics we would work with later. That was my candy store. Aside from teaching me most of what I know, these bonding moments with my Grandma made me enjoy sewing and creating even more.

Really, the first time I learned to pick up a needle I was only nine. My mom had signed me up for a children's sewing class in the winter, one of many different activities I would be signed up for as a kid. Anything to get me out of the house, I suppose.  It was a full class, with only one boy brave enough to join the lessons. We hand-stitched placemats for the upcoming holiday. I was so happy to show off my creation afterwards, so proud to have made it myself.

Hand-stitching has never been my favorite, but I used my newfound skills to dress toys and expand my Barbie's wardrobes. I loved cutting up old socks and creating shirts, pants, and dresses for my dolls. Any scraps of fabric I could find became a victim of my experiments. As I got older my experiments became a little more controlled, I would create Halloween costumes for me and my friends, make myself clothes, or even just fix holes. I used the hand-me-down Viking for about 5 years before I was able to finally get a replacement.

It wasn't particularly flashy or fancy - in all honesty it was the cheapest one there, but I was so proud to have my own. The White Company. I think it was the proudest I've ever been of something I had owned so far. It was totally opposite of the old one. A pretty white color, and so, so smooth. Almost quietly, it slid across the fabric like butter over bread. I used that for more than 20 years, and I still have it in my garage. It was so much money for me then. 100$ could last me so long as a college student, but the frustrating rev of my mother's Viking had been affecting it's performance for a couple years. It would stick, skip stitches, and jam regularly. I got so frustrating with the noise of it, the sound that I was usually able to let fade into the background would make me annoyed and anxious to work. At that point, I was taking out more stitches than I was putting in, but I didn't know anything about servicing. You need to take care of a machine like that, especially when you're using it as often as I did. I still regret not keeping it around. If I had known that it could be fixed I know I would have, if only for the sentimental value.

But after becoming a mother it became almost impossible for me to invest any time into sewing for fun. I didn't have the time or energy to pull out my machine. I didn't even realize it, it happened so gradually, but I lost a part of myself when I wasn't indulging in my hobby. I can be with myself in a way no other activity I've tried to pick up allows. A sense of purpose that connects to my identity. I bought my kids Halloween costumes instead of making them - not that I necessarily regret dressing my 8 month old in the cutest Viking costume I've ever seen. I definitely wasn't making anything for myself, though as my kids grew I did start sewing for special occasions.

It was the pandemic that gave me the time, and honestly, the need, to pick it up again as a hobby. I quickly grabbed some boxed up fabrics and began creating masks for my family.  As I started to use it more often, I realized what I had been missing for so long. I just love creating - being able to make something that didn't exist before, to make people happy with the things I make. Slowly, a new project began to take shape. I was slowly building an army of clutches and small bags that I'm hoping to start selling once quarantine has been figured out where I live. When my kids are big enough to both be in school, I can't work in an office again. I used to process loans for a mortgage company. The people were fun, but, as you can imagine, the job was stressful and demanding. Coordinating  with everyone involved and going through paperwork had strict deadlines. Sewing is a passion, a happiness, that I actually want to pursue.

I enjoy using colorful and unique designs with the interesting and often geeky fabrics I find.  I want to make things that appeal to me and people like me.  I think it probably helps that I have a reason to go out shopping for fabrics again. I may no longer be a kid, but it's still my candy store. 

Every Christmas, I use my placemat - my first creation - as a centerpiece for the family dinner. It reminds me of who I am, and the thing that helps me connect with my family and friends.