Why I sew.

I think I was 10 when my mom put me and my older sister in sewing classes at our local fabric store. I remember carrying her old, heavy, olive green sewing machine into the mall for our classes. We made a tote bag. I loved it. I didn't sew much during my teen years, as I recall, but as I was contemplating what to do with my life as a sad little freshman at Brigham Young University, I remembered that I liked to sew.

I graduated from BYU in 2001 with a degree in Home & Family. At the time, it was the closest thing to a clothing/sewing major. Most of the girls (there were zero boys) in my major were going to be Home Ec teachers. I was required to take lots of nutrition and human development classes, as well as fun classes like weaving (on big looms), housing the family (our final was touring new model homes), and household equipment (a 3 hour lab each week where we tested various baking pans and appliances). But by far my favorite were my sewing classes. I learned how to tailor clothing to fit and how to make patterns. It was a blast. I know it's not quite up to the level of a fashion design school, or anything, but I loved it. It was a good balance of practical learning for my current position as a mother.

I love sewing because the possibilities are endless. I love that I can take a piece of fabric and turn it into anything I want-- curtains, a skirt, a dress. The idea of making something out of nothing, and working with what I have to create something spectacular, have always been exciting to me. Also, I am cheap. And super picky. With sewing, I can make whatever I want for very little money. I know sewing isn't always the most economical choice, but it's the pride of creating something with your own hands that makes it worth it in those instances. Sewing is just so very satisfying.

Why do you sew?


Thanks for asking, Christina!