Lol, this was sent to me by a faithful reader yesterday - Thanks Lorene :)
My sister recently asked me how my sewing skills are. Good question! I used to sew a lot. I grew up with a mother who sewed beautifully and therefore had a fully stocked sewing room at my disposal. It was bright and sunny and I spent many a happy hour fashioning creations; by high school I wasn't even using patterns for the 'outfits' I sported. When I think back on some of the things I actually wore to school, I have to cringe - I now realize they were odd, but thankfully no one was cruel enough to tell me! After marrying, I made clothes for myself and my children, drapes etc. for my home, outfitted three flower girls on one occasion and even had a (very) small clothing repair business, which I operated out of my home; the result of an add I ran in the newspaper every other week. My clientele were mainly bachelors bringing me their work clothes!
I had two dreams as a child: to run a hairdressing and/or a seamstress business out of my home. My grandmother had her own seamstress business and I was always so impressed with her resourcefulness and talent whenever I visited her.
It's hard to believe, but it's been at least five years since I've sewn anything. I guess I've been feeling that with the price of material and factoring in the labour involved, it's really not worth crafting anything... why not just buy it? Well guess what... I've agreed to make a Peter Pan doll for my nephew's fifth birthday! Above is the one my sister liked best, we found it in Google Images. I've had no luck at all finding a PP pattern, so I purchased a basic doll pattern (think I'd better go with one since I'm so rusty) and will fashion some clothes for him as best I can. I'll post pics when I'm done :)
I already know what I'm going to say once I've finished this project, because I'm already feeling it:
WHY has it been so long? I'm enjoying myself immensely!
(Before I go, I want to thank Tracey from Breathing English Air and Kate from Musings of a Book Lover for honouring me with awards this week. Both great blogs, I might add. I'm getting spoiled and have been forced to open a trophy room at the bottom of my page to house all my loot. Check it out!)
Hope you have a great weekend!
That's terrific! And yes, you will probably enjoy it so much. My mother sews and knits, and one of my regrets is not taking the time when I was young to let her teach me her skills. I was too impatient, and my head was in the clouds. Make sure to post that Peter Pan doll when you're done. I would love to see it.
ReplyDeleteLove that image about chocolate! Yes, it does understand :)
Hi Martha, I regret not learning to knit (except a few basic stitches) and crochet. My mom was knitting all the time when I grew up, but I wasn't interested in learning. My daughter was teaching me to crochet last winter, lots of practice and I didn't put in the time - now I need some more lessons! I'm working at knitting over this winter - I bought the Knitting for Dummies and if you recall, I plan to knit some Hobbit slippers before spring :)
DeleteNow this is a skill I really envy, as I am hopeless at sewing. Needlework lessons at school were a trial and the teacher despaired of me. In one lesson I managed to sew through my finger and become attached to the machine and whatever it was I was making. The poor teacher turned very pale and had to sit down!
ReplyDeleteHi Tracey, Like any skill, it takes putting in the hours to get good at it. I'm pretty rusty, so I'm sure I'll shake my head a few times before I'm done. I'm certain that if you had had the opportunity (& interest) to put in the hours when you were younger, you would have mastered sewing. It's never too late to learn... I'm learning to knit this winter!
DeleteI think you did a lovely job. I too use to sew all the time, but like you the cost and time made no sense. But I am stocking piling fabric from sales I go to and soon I'm sewing something, what I don't know.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend,
Lisa
Thanks Lisa, I hope it turns out, above is just the prototype... If I get back into sewing, I plan to start watching for sales and roll ends as well.
DeleteHi Jane! Nice to have you on board the 'Ocean Breezes' express! I know that was corny! lol
ReplyDeleteIt will be no surprise that I watched my Mom and sister make everything for themselves and ME when I was a kid. I am still pretty sure I'd have no problem 'pulling something together' if I had to. Actually my husband's grandfather was a tailor in his home town here in Nova Scotia. We love working with our hands on projects.
Great to meet you and look forward to 'following'.
Jim
I can't wait to see the finished product! i love sewing and knitting but really don't do enough of it either, it's funny how we can enjoy something so much but don't get round to it much because of all the other things that come first. One of my little new years resolutions is to make something home made for each of my closest friends through the year ready for christmas! i will do it! My mum and nan were both very good at sewing and knitting so I grew up with it too :)
DeleteHi Jim, Lol, Great, I could use a trip right about now! Thanks for stopping by and becoming a new follower. I look forward to regularly visiting your beautiful blog - your photography is stunning.
DeleteIf you watched your Mom and sister, I bet you could pull something together! - I know I learned a great deal from just watching and questioning my Mom.
Sarah, I will definitely be posting the pics - good or otherwise...! I love your idea of homemade gifts - I believe we should all strive towards this - everyone is good at something! Both the giver and receiver would derive so much more pleasure this way :)
DeleteI bet your Peter Pan will be adorable! But what about Wendy?
ReplyDeleteI think I will be making a Tinker Bell doll come spring for my niece :)
DeleteHow did you know I needed chocolate when I (try to) sew?
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing Peter when he's done!
Tracy, Chocolate just makes everything more enjoyable! The pics will be posted - hopefully I won't need to photoshop them, lol!
DeleteOh chocolate. That is why we love you!
ReplyDeletelol
I would love to learn how to sew. I know who to come to now for tips:)
Lael, Lol, I'm eating chocolate as I type!! Kahlua chocolates, very yummy :) Did you know that chocolate is now considered a food group?
DeleteI'm sure Peter Pan will turn out just great and make a little guy very happy. Good for you for getting back into sewing. You will have a lot of pleasurable hours spent this winter doing this. Time really flies when you are involved with a project and its a benefit to the head, clears out the old cobwebs.
ReplyDeleteI used to sew lots in earlier years but when things went metric and I had started to work outside the home I put my craft on the back burner. Shame on me I know. I have been thinking of trying my hand at it again soon.
I do think chocolate and sewing compliment each other, great thought.
We will be watching with interest as Peter Pan comes together.
Hi Lorene, Thanks for all your encouraging words :) Time certainly does fly when you're involved in a project you enjoy. I find that about working on my blog and reading other's blogs - I look up and hours have flown by!
ReplyDeleteTalented lady :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your projects.
It's wonder you have returned to sewing-craft.
whiteangel, Thank you :)
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