I have a friend who would tell you in a moment that she doesn’t cook. Now there are people who really don’t cook – people who eat every meal out of the house except perhaps for a cup of coffee and a bagel in the morning – and I know a few of them. Then there are people like my friend who don’t cook but do feed their families. She doesn’t like to cook, but she puts meals on the table. Nothing fancy comes out of her kitchen, but that doesn’t mean it is not a healthy meal. Burgers, chops, potatoes, rice, salad, simple vegetables. We all know about these kinds of simple meals. In fact the “not cooking” that I have been doing a lot of this past summer is very similar to this – fresh vegetables, steamed or grilled. Meat on the grill. Simple stuff. Not the kind of cooking I love to do, the kind that takes time and attention. But there is a time for everything in life.
When I say I am not sewing, I mean something much the same as when I say I am not cooking. If I said I was not sewing in my sewing room, my serger might say: “if you aren’t sewing why are you rethreading me twice a day?” My Bernina would probably choke on the baby quilt that is sitting next to it and say something like “and what is this stuff you have been feeding through me all day, if it is not sewing?”
Now I know a lot of people who say “I don’t’ sew” and really mean that they don’t sew, that they couldn’t even attach a button and would have to send their shirt to the tailor or throw it out. But when I say I am not sewing I mean that I am not doing any creative sewing, just maintenance, or things for other people. I am not sewing things I enjoy sewing, but then again, I would rather be sewing/mending/altering than be out looking for replacements. The shopping isn’t really an option right now anyway. But taking a t-shirt and making it a size smaller is not thrilling stuff; necessary yes, thrilling no.
There has been some sewing for other people, but I don’t really have control over the design or fabrication of those things. As they really aren’t mine and don’t represent my choices in anything I don’t really see any point in posting them here. I am sewing aprons to help a friend who sells them at craft shows/fundraising yard sale things. I have done this kind of thing before and I always say I won’t do it again. Ha! The apron patterns are cute, kind of vintage, the fabric, kind of country calico prints would not be my choice and I frankly find them kind of boring. This is probably a good thing because if they were in cute fabric I would hate to give them back. I do need a few new aprons, so perhaps that is one more thing to add to my fall sewing list.
Oh, and I have been sewing diapers and diaper covers. Another friend’s daughter has a new baby, and she wants cloth diapers. What did I know about cloth diapers? When I said I would help make diapers I thought they were pieces of fabric you folded and pinned around baby, or at least they were the last time I used a cloth diaper on anyone. But these are cute, and fasten on with little snaps or buttons or velcro tabs and they do actually require sewing up. They look a lot like washable designer pampers, which is I suppose why they are so expensive in the store, and why I am helping to sew cloth diapers.
Comments
12 responses to “What do I mean when I say I’m not sewing?”
Oh! I know what you mean! I’ve been doing an awfully lot of ‘not sewing’ this year, too. It’s nice, in a way, to be helpful and to see things appreciated, but…I miss *sewing*.
Oh! I know what you mean! I’ve been doing an awfully lot of ‘not sewing’ this year, too. It’s nice, in a way, to be helpful and to see things appreciated, but…I miss *sewing*.
But as you said – maintenance sewing is better than nothing and it’s often very rewarding! I look forward to your creative sewing again though.
But as you said – maintenance sewing is better than nothing and it’s often very rewarding! I look forward to your creative sewing again though.
I think there’s a lot of this going around. I’d rather be sewing my stuff when I’m doing this kind of thing, but it does make me feel like I’m at least keeping my hand in until I get to “sew” again. Good for you for doing nice, helpful things instead of just mending, etc.
I think there’s a lot of this going around. I’d rather be sewing my stuff when I’m doing this kind of thing, but it does make me feel like I’m at least keeping my hand in until I get to “sew” again. Good for you for doing nice, helpful things instead of just mending, etc.
Have you looked at Sew Baby?
http://www.sewbaby.com/diapers.html
Have you looked at Sew Baby?
http://www.sewbaby.com/diapers.html
I cannot even sew a button on. When one comes of I turn to my husband for help. I admire anyone who can sew, knit or in anyway be crafty with their hands.
I cannot even sew a button on. When one comes of I turn to my husband for help. I admire anyone who can sew, knit or in anyway be crafty with their hands.
Thanks for all your kind words. I actually enjoy even the maintenance work once I get started at it. The problem is that I keep putting it off.
Lisa Laree, you accomplish so much! I’d like to “not sew” as well as you.
Belette, it is so nice to see you here, even if you don’t sew. I am trying to integrate sewing and other general clothing/fashion interest, but I don’t manage it very gracefully.
Thanks for all your kind words. I actually enjoy even the maintenance work once I get started at it. The problem is that I keep putting it off.
Lisa Laree, you accomplish so much! I’d like to “not sew” as well as you.
Belette, it is so nice to see you here, even if you don’t sew. I am trying to integrate sewing and other general clothing/fashion interest, but I don’t manage it very gracefully.