Once upon a time, nearly seven years ago, my mom gave me one of those little hand held sewing machines for Christmas. You know the kind that you use on the go for little repairs? Because I totally keep one in my purse, duh. Don’t you? Right next to your glue gun? … My side mirror fell off! No worries. Just pass me the glue gun… Shhhh. It’s how we roll in Alabama.
It was for little repairs only. But I loved it so much, that I started to make pillows with it. I was such a nerd, I would cut fabric and then sew it together. It didn’t matter what the seams looked like, or that the thread was totally the wrong color. I would cook up little concoctions while Aiden (a baby at the time) napped in the next room. I realized that nothing made me happier than to have such power at my fingertips. I was unstoppable with my newfound love of stitchery.
Before I knew it, I was headed to the local fabric store to grab up their remnants on sale. I would sew a little pillow and then prop it proudly on our {at the time, monstrously huge bachelor’s pad leather} sofas and be so happy with the {albeit, small} statement they made. Never mind that when my friends came over I cringed with fear that they might burst open at any moment. I had made something. And that was a big deal.
And so it began.
Jamin purchased a sewing machine per my request for Mother’s day a few weeks later and then it sat and collected dust for a few months. Because sewing with a real life grown up machine is much different and let’s just be honest, bobbins are as scary as popped cans of biscuits and balloons in my world. You never know when it will jam up on you and you’ll scream like a rabid banshee and the neighbors will think you’re being murdered only to find that you’re just as equally mentally unstable because you’re screaming over a bobbin.
Okay. It’s not the same thing but it’s still scary.
But learning how to thread said bobbin is half the battle, so once a friend taught me and I got over myself, that was it. We were golden. There was no turning back.
Why am I telling you this (long drawn out) story about how I had no life and really enjoyed sewing wonky fabric remnants into pretty little creations? If you’ve been reading for a while, then you know I’m what I like to refer to as the reluctant seamstress. Every now and then I remember what a transformation it made in our home, and decide to persuade you over the internets to join me. Today is one of those days. Here’s a few reasons, if you’ve been thinking of getting your toes wet, why you should just dive in and learn how to sew, already.
Because it’s time to join the insanity party of frazzled little pillow designers, everywhere.
It will empower you.
For the sheer reason of tackling something you’ve never tried before, you should do it. If for the sole reason of taking on a fear. It’s like learning a different language, or mastering a recipe that your grandmother passed down or finally figuring out how to tie a cherry stem with your tongue. {Yes, the cherry is equally important}. It’s something you should do just to say you can do it. It’s a lost art, this sewing thing. Making amazing creations for your home are just a side benefit. You’ll be like a WWF wrestler with a spray tan and bleached hair on Rhoids after he takes out some oily guy in spandex. You made that pillow. You may have nearly punctured your index finger, and the left side of your head is missing a few patches of hair because you sometimes get a nervous tick and it was kind of stressful, but now you’re the WWF wrestler guy because you just owned it.
I hate sewing. I HATE it. Some people love the process. I hate measuring, I hate cutting, I hate stressing out over thinking about how it’s coming along. My eyes glaze over when I have to do math and convert inches to feet to yards, because it’s not that hard but it gives me the sweats because I’m anxiety girl. But you know what I love? I love beautiful fabrics, and I adore the finished product. I love the feeling of satisfaction and cathartic resolution it brings when I’ve made something one of a kind and absolutely fun and gorgeous (in my world) for our home. It’s empowering and beyond rewarding to tackle something that isn’t all that fun… To make something just for you and your family. Bonus points for wearing spandex unitards with bad spray tans whilst sewing said project.
Which brings me to…
Custom looks
I started with pillows. And when I realized what a drastic change it made to take down our builder’s grade blinds and add fun window treatments to every room, I was absolutely hooked.
Every home is different and I found when looking around for what I liked, that one of a kind approaches were so much better. But I wasn’t about to buy something from a custom drapery store {hello, budget}, the box store options wouldn’t fit most of our windows, and I’d asked around but couldn’t find a seamstress that was available to help me…
So this was it. I knew that the salvation from builder’s beige genericism funhouse, was all on me in the fabrics department. And so I decided to roll with it. With a few well-timed naps, and a nice little supply of fabric under my belt, I went for it. Jamin thought I’d lost my mind, but room by room, space by space. 5,678,965 stitches later, he started to see the difference… and I’ve never looked back.
JK. I have no idea how many stitches I’ve made. But it sounded good, yes?
The funny part? If you can thread your bobbin, cut the fabric, and sew a straight line, then the rest is all gravy. I’ve never used a pattern but maybe twice, and I’ve found that the best things with huge transformations in our home were the simple addition of curtains and pillows. Though I’ve stuck mostly with that, with the occasional tackle of a bedding project or two, it’s those simple things that mean major changes for your home.
So you don’t have to be able to read a pattern to make something. (They’re easy peasy.) You just have to be able to do a little planning and math in your head (Okay. On a giant piece of paper five times) and roll with it. The amount of satisfaction is triply proportional to the amount of work put in.
Or something like that. I told you I was terrible at math… And apparently grammar.
Me loves the homeschoolins!
Money
It’s not always the case that you save money with sewing. Once in a blue moon, you luck out and find just what you need on clearance while you push your shopping cart by in a store somewhere with three rabid children because the stars align and angels sing and glittery lights shine down and suddenly you are to awesome finds as Johnny Cash was to country music. But usually, we’re not all that lucky and more often than not, you can save mucho deniro with this approach.
The look is always custom, you’re being completely empowered, like, I-am-awesome-hear-me-roar-in-my-unitard, empowered. And the money is saved.
So if you’ve been meaning to try and need something fairly easy like a few pillows, why not begin? You’ve already made a return on your sewing machine investment with your first creation.
If you find that you enjoy switching things out often in your home, go for it. It’s much easier to order a little fabric, spend an afternoon sewing, and then spend the next few months truly admiring what a little afternoon of work brought to your love for seasonal pillows. Satisfaction at its finest.
It’s definitely not for everyone, and it’s probably not even for me. But it can bring about a huge transformation in the home with just a little fearless elbow grease.
So I guess I’m not really reluctant. When I’m finished, anyway. ;}
What have been some of your greatest benefits with learning how to sew? What would you say to anyone who wants to learn?
Sewing still isn’t your thing? I threw in a few more posts you might like if you’re thinking of taking the plunge. Or not.
And Kristin’s fabulous brilliant post breaking it down, here.
Have an inspired day, y’all! And learn how to sew, already. ;}
Pam M says
I took a semester of sewing in 8th grade. That was a, um, long time ago. When we moved into our current house one of the things I loved about it were the massive windows everywhere. Yay for natural lighting! However, my budget was crying, “BOO!” There was no way I could afford to buy curtains, not to mention hardware, for the wall to wall windows in my dining and living rooms. So, I decided to make them. When I went to the fabric store the only bobbins I could find were empty. Where were the ones with the thread on them? So, I asked an associate and felt like a moron when she told me I had to do that part myself. See, 8th grade WAS a long time ago. š I ended taking 2 sewing classes to re-learn the basics, like how to thread a bobbin, and have been golden every since. Using 40% off coupons at Hobby Lobby and JoAnn Fabric has really helped keep the cost down. I don’t have one boughten pair of curtains in this place. I’ve even ventured into making Roman shades and shower curtains – along with the throw pillows. I will often repurpose fabric into something else: shower curtains into pillows and table runners, ect. One more source I’ve found for fabric is the sheet section of Goodwill/thrift stores. Sometimes you can find some really great fabric there. Loved this post!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you so much, Pam! That is awesome that you took it so early… I feel like you got a total jump start so good for you ;} Great tip with the Goodwill store! One of my fave pillows was the sugar one I found that was used from an old sugar sack. SO much fun!
Erin @ House Envy says
love this post. i have a sewing machine and i’m a self-taught kind of gal, which means that I rip out a lot of stitches to get to the final product! ha! i may be hooked on your little starter hand-held sewing machine now! i’ve never seen one and i’m loving it for those little jobs you don’t want to pull the whole contraption our for!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you Erin! And HURRAY for seam rippers! ;} They’re my best friend…
Amber says
Oh my word! Popped cans of biscuits are my worst nightmare!! It’s like some demented grown up jack-in-the-box! I always make my husband open them. Unless I’m home alone and then I may or may not drop them on the edge of the counter while standing on a chair. š
ashley @ the handmade home says
That. Is. Hysterical. Yes it’s so funny! Someone should hide a camera to watch how many times my eyes blink and twitch when I’m trying to open one. The worst is when you pull the paper back, and it doesn’t do anything. It’s only a matter of moments. You never know when those evil canned confections will strike ;}
Elizabeth says
I am a self taught sewer . “Seamstress” sounds too fancy for what I do! But I too hate sewing, but love fabric. So far too often I buy fabric, and it just sits there. Sigh.
ashley @ the handmade home says
HAHA! Yes. Same here. And I am totally full of myself, so I say I’m a seamstress and then throw “reluctant” in there. ;}
rebecca drake says
You are right. Just do it already! I made some scarves for Christmas presents last year. Just cut and sew one straight line. My MIL helped me. I bought some fabric to make rice heating packs for Christmas this year, but haven’t touched them yet. I should just go for it. I can always rip out the seams if I mess up, right? And I would love to make some pillows. Hadn’t thought of that. Thanks for this post that shows me I can try it even if it is not perfect!!!
ashley @ the handmade home says
So true, Rebecca! But you’re not alone. I have to carve out time to do it, and then when I start, I have to be able to leave it out, and there isn’t a space dedicated to sewing in my house, so it’s always a do-or-die situation. Mama had better finish up her next project because dinner is about to happen ;} It’s finish now or end up with spaghetti sauce on my project. Okay. Let’s be honest…when I’m sewing, it’s delivery pizza all around ;}
Jamie Beth says
Oh yes the sewing machine scream. I know it well. Although mine usually comes out as more of a growl. An empty bobbin is the worst. I do enjoy telling people I made stuff though. My mom made my prom dress complete with boning and a bustle, she is an amazing seamstress, I only have the patience for things that take less than a week.
ashley @ the handmade home says
OH WOW. That’s impressive! When I got hitched {in my last year of college as a mere baby} I had a lady make my wedding dress because I couldn’t find exactly what I wanted. {Imagine that} Those mad skillz are an entirely different level of messing around the house… they AHMAZE me! That is so impressive! And aintnobodygottimeforthat ;}
Catherine says
I love sewing. I grew up with a Mum and Grandmother who were both accomplished seamstresses so we had a lot of handmade clothes growing up. My Grandmother even made underwear for us! They weren’t too fashionable looking but they were the most comfy undies ever. I don’t remember ever being taught how to sew by them but I guess I just picked it up here and there. We were always allowed to use the sewing machine whenever we wanted so we would play around with it occasionally. I guess I was a little overconfident in my abilities though in my early twenties as one of the first proper things I attempted to make was a silk evening dress for my own engagement party. My sister flew in from out of state and found me, on the day of the party still trying to put it together. Thankfully she can sew well too and she helped save the day (it ended up looking fabulous!). After that, I didn’t really sew a lot for a number of years until my kids came along and I was inspired to make things for them. I love seeing them wear the pyjama pants I make or lie on the pillowcase I made. You are right, the sense of satisfaction is grossly out of proportion to the effort!
ashley @ the handmade home says
That is awesome, Catherine. I love it!
Barcy says
I learned to sew in home-ec. (That makes me feel really old.) Back in the day I was good enough that I actually made some of my own clothes, but it has been many, many years since I have done anything but curtains. The first time I sewed curtains it was a budget issue, but then I realized it was the only way I could have exactly the style, color, and size I wanted.
I have a really cool sewing machine. I inherited an old Bernina from my grandmother. It even has it’s own little sewing cabinet. The best part is that it still has the instruction book. When my grandmother was learning to use it she practiced all the stitches then stapled the fabric into the corresponding page of the book. That instruction book is such a cool little peak into her life.
Alisa says
I taught myself how to sew by hand when I was five. Learned how to use a machine at 16, then REALLY learned how to sew in college when I got my degree(s) in Fashion Design. Funnily enough, curtains always intimidated the heck out of me though I can whip up a wedding gown without a second thought. Then my mom told me she’d pay me to make some for her wonkily sized windows about ten years ago. I.was.hooked. I LOVE making curtains now (I don’t think I’ve ever actually bought a pair in adulthood..) and I make them for family/friends whenever they need help. We are currently looking for a house and I’m seriously considering houses just for their windows and all the curtain-making potential they have. Getting over threading the bobbin is really the biggest hurdle in the wondrous world of sewing! I’m sharing this post with some friends that I think need another boost to get back to the pedal š
Laura says
I’m pretty sure you’re the reason I’ve been wanting to learn to sew. š
Insert first road bump: I need a seeing machine. Any advice on what to look for or avoid? Any recommendations for a specific sewing machine?
Thanks!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Laura! I did no research on my first machine, and started with a singer. It just seemed like a reasonable place to start. It was a cheaper one at a local craft store. I’m afraid that model was a hit of miss for me, because most peoples’ last for years, and even after getting it serviced time and time again after about three… I could never get my feeder dogs to work correctly again. It was super frustrating. However, I think it’s probably smart to start with a simple brand like singer if you don’t want to invest a lot at first… I then upgraded to a Janome that was on sale (very similar to this one?) and I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it. No problems. All metal. Heavy duty and can handle thicker fabrics. So be prepared to drop a little moolah, but they should also last you more than a few years, and the investment is so worth it in returns. I’m sure other readers can share their personal experiences, but this is what has worked for me. ;} I hope that helps!
Laura J says
Ashley – Yes, that is some VERY helpful insight. Thanks so much!
Heidi @ Decor & More says
This is on my list to do this year — *sigh. I’ve been the queen of “no sew” projects for long enough. š Thanks for the kick in the tush!
xo Heidi
Autumn says
Bobbins terrify me too! That’s probably why I’ve had a sewing machine for 15 years, new and sitting in the box, the shame. I really should watch a couple online tutorials and figure it out. I do hand mending no problem but have about 1000 Brownie badges I need to sew on and sewing through that sash is like sewing lead (why are they no longer iron on?!) and was thinking I may need to learn to use that machine after all.
Angela says
Yes! I love sewing š I find I’m only motivated to do it when my sewing room is clean–and then I sew and mess it up again…
Heather says
I was trolling the Internet just now, trying to work up the energy to return to the dress I’m sewing for my daughter for Easter. Your post was just the kick in the pants I needed to send me back to work. Thanks!
Marie says
Thank your for reminding me why I need to sew! I also HATE the process! Especially the measuring and cutting. I can’t seem to figure out the best way to lay everything out to get the monstrous pieces of fabric cut for these office drapes that I need to make. The amount of fabric sometimes makes it so daunting! Anyway, I’m going to do it!
Nicki says
I HATE sewing too! I’m not that patient person. But, I’m so glad I know the basics, since every pillow and curtain in my house (and a few baby shower gifts) came from my sewing machine. Thanks for your rallying commentary! It’s nice to know other sewers go a little crazy too, and that it IS worth the effort.
Also, after reading this post, I have the urge to start whipping up some drapery with fun, custom trim. I love all of your window treatments with their extra touches!
Rebecca @ The Reluctant Housewife says
I JUST taught myself how to sew last week! And it was everything that you said that it was!!! I made 5 pillows – and I didn’t come off the creative high for days. I look at those pillows every day and think, “I made those!!! I MADE THOSE!” And, then, I immediately began planning my next project – which, I think is going to be curtains.
PatsyC says
When my children were young and I was married to a man that refused to provide the necessities of life like kids clothes, I was forced to sew my sons clothes. I would go to Hankock’s and buy remnants and I figured a way to make clothes without patterns…Many years later I find myself wanting to make clothes for my grandkids. I hate sewing but I think that if I want the nice bright pillows and all the stuff that cost money just because of the design on it, I go and buy the fabric and make it myself at much cheaper price. Today I do get the patterns now, but now I am once again thinking of returning to the patternless days and use my creativity that way. I am self taught artist and I figure if I can create a great piece of art to fit my world I can fight with a sewing machine and win.
handmade says
beautiful š”
Colleen says
I agree, but I find myself frozen in fear when dealing with curtains. Wherever do you find a clean space to lay out 96″ of fabric thats 50″ wide so you can cut and pin a straight line? I have 13 yds of fabric to cut and sew for 4 panels. *ugh*
Krystal H says
I have two tables (a small kitchen table and an old vanity) that i use to lay out one of those folding cardboard cutting boards across. The tables are the same height so it works. And ask the store for one of those cardboard tubes to put your fabric on if they didn’t already. They usually have spares. If i roll it off the tube and measure it out on the board it makes cutting the fabric into the sizes you need a lot easier. I hope this helps. š
Krystal H says
I sew my own curtains and pillows, … And some garments. My favorite projects are garments, but the big money savers for me have been making my own curtains. I haven’t always made my own – our living room curtains are two very long panels made from three store bought panels. It was cheaper to by three shorter ones than two super long ones that would have had to be special ordered. Worth it!
The math can be a pain, but when you look at all those scribblings and wind up with exactly what you envisioned it is soo so worth it.
Anna says
I love sewing and agree with your “jump in” approach to learning! There are so many free step-by-step instructions online now that you don’t really need to use traditional patterns if your just getting started and want to experiment a bit. I like Craftsy and Craftster for free tutorials. (Craftster sewing section)
Raquel says
I do know how to do basic sewing but it wouldn’t hurt for me to know a little bit more. But my question is, where is that fabulous silver disco ball from?
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Raquel! It’s from a shop on Ebay – They (the store owners) were very nice, but two mirror balls turned out busted. You can read all about that little story here. ;}