The Size of Things

I began sewing when I was fifth or sixth grade.  It probably had to do with wanting to earn a Girl Scout badge in sewing.  Unfortunately for me, my mother couldn't sew on a button.  Trust me on this - back when she was in high school it was a requirement that they sew their own graduation dress - Mom had the lady down her street do it.  I began my adventure on an old converted singer pedal machine that came from who knows where.  All the machine produced was a forward stitch.  But that was enough to send me on the adventure. Unfortunately, interpreting the pattern instructions was a whole world unto its self.

It wasn't long before I had begged my parents for a machine that would do more than go forward.  I became the proud owner of a Singer that (hold your breath) did forward, backward, zig zag, and had a button hole attachment thingie.  I thought I had arrived.  I remember creating a buttoned down culotte dress in the late sixties.  I didn't know what interfacing was, I hadn't figured out how to use that darn attachment, nor could I understand how to apply the hem stitch  - BUT - I wore that dress to my sixth grade class only to be laughed at by two girls whose mothers were seamstresses!  I always wondered why those two were dressed in beautiful clothes and now I had the explanation.  Not to mention the boy who informed me that his mother made all his shirts (we're talking oxford style shirts here).  Uh huh.

Not one to give up I pursued the art of sewing  - if I remember correctly - I decided to try a pleated skirt in a checked pattern next!  Thank goodness for Mrs. West who took me under her wing and showed me how to lay out my pattern and gave me tips on the skirt's construction, I wore that outfit to school with pride.  I thought I had come a far piece in the seventies - when - my Hubby blessed me with a new Singer and a cabinet.  Wow -this Singer did awesome things.  I renewed my interest in sewing and then ran into a lady who sewed for her entire family and had a degree in Home Ec.  Ummm.... she created men's suits - need I say more?

We had little money for me to spend on clothes in those day (that typed line has made me wonder what's changed - lol).  Graciously, Jane began to take me pattern shopping, introduced me to different fabrics, colors, styles, and most importantly sewing techniques.  I began sewing jackets and made a winter coat (faux leather/sheepskin) for Hubby.  I even began to take on some Vogue patterns.

After I began to gain weight, the sewing I did was primarily gifts for others.  I made Jbird a bunch of cute outfits when he was a toddler.  I also thoroughly enjoyed sewing up frilly little baby girl stuff for my niece.  The last big thing I sewed was a costume Jbird needed for a performance at our church back in the mid- nineties.

About a year ago I decided to sew up something and when I took out my machine it was dead.  It needed servicing the last time I sewed and I knew then it was on its last leg.  Now it has finally bit the dust.
Why is this important to me now?  Well, another twenty pounds and I won't have a wardrobe anymore. And if I find a job - I don't own a "work wardrobe".  The thirty pounds I've lost allows me to get into the clothes I crammed into drawers and the closet with the "I'll be back in these one day."  But when I lose the next twenty pounds I will be at a weight I haven't been in over ten years.

I have patterns -  quite a few left.  And I do believe that I have them in sizes that go down to where I want to finally end this weight loss - of course they may be fashionably a little out of date - then on the other hand  - they may be right in time to become fashionable again.!  Hubby got rather insistent a few years ago that I dispense of many of the boxes I had of patterns.  If I remember correctly I kept many of the basic patterns. (just in case)

So - I will need to sew.  And I will need to consider a new or refurbished machine.  Guess I need to start surfing around and see what I can see.

Comments

[Laura]

I think it's exciting that your weight loss has left you without clothes to wear! Enjoy the hunt for your new sewing machine. That will be fun, and so will looking at all your patterns again and deciding what to sew first!

[ulli]

I love to sew and through high school and in the beginning of our marriage I made all my clothes. Because I have two boys I only sewed home dec and a few things for the little girls of friends as my boys were growing up. Then, due to lack of space my machine was put away for years and I picked up knitting/crocheting from where I left that off years before. Two Christmases ago my personal Santa gifted me a new Bernina sewing machine. This thing can run windows! They actually call it a sewing computer. I haven't made anything for myself as far as clothing goes (due to weight issues), but I've enjoyed sewing small projects for myself and friends--especially with the embroidery feature. Try Craig's list for a refurbished machine, and also try your local sewing machine repair shop (they are around but sometimes tucked away in old shopping centers). Good luck and enjoy!