Years ago I met a fabulously wealthy woman who could easily buy couture for just everyday wear. And the way in which she was always impeccably dressed with the most unique skirts (her trademark) and dresses, made me think she did. For the longest time I avoided asking her where she shopped because I knew that I would just have to run to the store only to be disappointed because I couldn’t afford what she could. However, after saving pennies faithfully I decided to splurge on a skirt like hers and asked where she got them.
It is true, her clothes were couture except that they were made for her by her. This chic Frenchwoman sewed all her own clothes!
The shock must have been written all over my face because she invited me over the next week to see her sewing room. She showed me her patterns, her fabrics from around the world as well as some dresses she was working on. For the next several weeks I’d have tea with her as she helped me to sew a skirt. Although my mother had sewn or knitted most of my clothes growing up and I took it in school, as an adult I just never thought twice about sewing things on my own. That is until I, too, had a skirt that was wonderful, quick and easily made. When my skirt was finished I was hooked and wanted nothing more than to have a sewing room filled with fabrics, patterns, mannequins and freshly brewed tea.
But then I moved away and left my friend and her pretty sewing room and my small flats never seemed to have the space for a machine or a box of patterns. Then when I moved to America it seemed cheaper and quicker to just buy most things than to make especially since when I first came (1999) most “home made” things seemed to centre around being crafty (glue guns, anyone?) and practical but perhaps not pretty. However lately with a resurgence in sewing books and blogs that talk so wonderfully about sewing and making useful, pretty things, I’m thinking about getting into it once more.
I discovered Simple Sewing with a French Twist: An Illustrated Guide to Sewing Clothes and Home Accessories with Style (for more images visit the author Celine Dupuy’s site) at the bookstore today and fell in love with the wonderful pictures and the beautiful, practical yet easy to make patterns. It has my sense of style in it with things I’d actually use (or expect to buy at one of my favourite stores) and thought this might be a good intro. Amy Butler’s In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects was actually the catalyst for me a few months ago. When I saw this book I was really interested in getting back into sewing. Then when I saw what Emira at Domicile had made from it, I was even more interested.
The day I discovered Anna Maria Horner’s blog was the one in which she posted about her young daughers newly sewn jumper dress and bag and I swear those photos, that dress and that bag could have been in a magazine (to which I would have said, “where can I buy that!”)
With all of this, I have been very curious to learn to sew again. I should mention I haven’t actually bought any of the sewing books nor do I own a sewing machine because there’s part of me that wonders if I could do it, if it’d be worth it, or if it’d just be easier to keep buying the things I like instead of making them. I also wonder how hard it would be to find materials and patterns I love (although I’m in-love with Heather Bailey’s fabrics!).
But then I think of my friend who used her sewing room to feel settled and how settled I felt when I sewed things for the store in the fall. I think of my friend Alicia who sews the most beautiful bags and how her office inspired me because of coloured fabrics everywhere and all the wonderful home projects at Little Bird. And I think how it might be nice to just take the time to make something.
The Stitch Lounge has a great post on starter machines and there’s a nice little section on other sewing machines there too (found via Not Martha). I also read good reviews for the Brother ES2000 77 Stitch Function Computerized Free Arm Sewing Machine although computerised makes me a little nervous.
If there are any sewers out there with advice, links or ideas, I’d love to hear them.
at 1:45 pm
I would strongly recommend a PFAF machine. They have a beginners series that is really affordable and easy to use. The machines are easily purchased at the chain store Fabric Place. Normally purchasing from a chain would bother me. But they provide wonderful support, free lessons for new customers (and lots of classes), parts are readily available at the store (needles, feet). If you need it( I doubt you will)they can service your machine easily from the store. More importantly, I have moved three times and there is usually a store within 20 miles. I had a Brother for years and just really struggled with it. I have been much happier with PFAF because the design is smart and straight forward. The ladies at Fabric Place have always been willing to answer questions and offer advice. In addition, if you should outgrow your model the purchase value can be applied to another PFAF machine. I am a beginer so the support is worth more than I would save at any other store. Good luck, I love sewing and have made every pillow and curtain in our apartment.
at 3:58 am
oof… I know exactly what you mean–or at least I think I do. I have all these ideas in my head but know that my pokey machine couldn’t even cope and then I wonder what I’m doing trying to sew!
I hope you find the courage to chase down your inspiration.
Blessings on your New Year!
at 2:32 am
Ooohhhh…follow your dream! I’ve been sewing since I was a child, and as much as I love the home dec and craft type sewing, I still love making clothes. There’s something just so satisfying about it. I love it that it’s coming back in popularity again — sadly, it waned long enough for a lot of the great independent fabric shops to go out of business. As for a machine, Erin hit on the most important aspect of choosing a machine — the dealer support. It won’t matter if you have the best machine in the world, if you have a problem, you need a competent and responsive dealer. Shop around. I’m a die-hard husqvarna viking fan, but I’m sure you’ll find good little machines in all the major brands. Good Luck — looking forward to your future creations!
at 7:37 pm
I may be a little late, but I have the ES2000 (also my first sewing machine and the fulfilment of a lifelong dream!) and I can’t recommend it enough – so easy to use, solid enough to go like a workhorse and the computerisation is a doddle to use! Good luck!