i tried to sew today lol it is supposed to be downtime..... tomorrow is the first meeting with the oncologist. I am trying to deal with the nerves.I did did however make the second of a bralette. Organic cotton from spotlight. Totally flat... no shape to the cups at all in fact no cups but it will stop my shirts from gaping and me from scaring the natives. Perfect for my bilateral scars.

In the 4 years years after I "retired" from the Post Office and prior to receiving an Age Pension, I made more than pocket money through my sewing. I had 2 sewing "jobs" that I did at home. One was with a work clothing outfitters. I was paid good money to sew reflective tape on the legs of work trousers and stitch identifying badges on work shirts. Not exactly creative but paid well.The other sewing job was with the local funeral service sewing - wait for it - coffin pillows. Simple 12 inch (30cm) squares of taffetta with lace along 2 sides. Simple. Easy. Quick and paid well.The local undertaker used to say to just sew them up, nothing fancy. Well my neat freak, anal retentive pride always insisted on a "proper " job. I used to joke that my head would be on one of these one day. Bit too close to home, that comment became. Then along came BC with all its attendant side effects and I lost those 2 sewing jobs along with the very useful supplementation of my age pension. Now I still sew but just putter around for me. No where near even a tenth of the output. My concentration and skill is no where what it used to be and let's not bring motivation jnto it.Damn BC.

I see myself reflected in many of the previous posts. Mum could sew like a tailoress and taught us how to draft out own patterns. I was sewing skirts and petticoats, and rag dolls on a Singer Treadle at aged 10. I made most of my own clothes until I was about 40 when Aust. started importing cheaper clothes from China. I've dabbled in patchwork and machine embroidery. I have a sewing machine and overlocker which have been pretty much dormant for the last few years and although I wonder about that because I have always loved sewing I don't stress about it. I cut out a lap quilt for a friend four years ago and have done about an hour of sewing on that ..... duh?! I was knitting and crocheting at an early age and my stash represents quite a few beanies and wraps, again, duh? I keep on thinking that one day I'll wake up and feel like sewing or knitting - hasn't happened yet.Last year I joined a local charity knitting group but it wasn't for me, again, not sure why. Its all a bit weird but I can look at knitting and crochet books all day - I borrow from the local library and call them my 'picture' books. ps, I loved the coat - that's what we mean by 'style' and as my Mum taught us, 'There's nothing like a good cut!'

I have very little ability in anything requiring needles - knitting or sewing. My mother had no leaning towards those skills either. But there's nothing like incentive - I had a notion of a very French styled coat that I wanted and couldn't find for my daughter when she was small. So I made it. Only piked out on the buttonholes, dressmaker at the end of the street couldn't work out why I was asking her to do them! Along with the knitted lorikeet coat (unlikely to be worn by my two grandsons!) they are my two best efforts to date.

Been in my “women’s cave” this weekend made a couple quilt tops, keeps my mind of other things

Fellow quilters will know what I am talking about when I say that I have just started fussy cutting hexagons for a grandmothers flower garden quilt. I had been trying to decide what to make, when I saw the quilt I wanted to make on Pinterest.

Sewing... does anyone sew?

Blossom1961
Member
7 years ago
Hi @jan61 I know HOW to sew and I CAN. But I don’t.
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
@"Annie C"
AllyJay
Member
7 years ago
I used to sew a lot, but now with my peripheral neuropathy in hands and feet, it's no longer possible. My foot can't feel how much pressure is being applied to the pedal and I now have ten numb thumbs, and would probably do my fingers a mischief if I tried. Do heaps of knitting and also crochet granny blankets.
arpie
Member
7 years ago
I've got a sewing machine - does that count? And an overlocker ..... but they don't get used much!
Glynnis
Member
7 years ago
Hi @jan61 I sew, I actually have what I loving call my “women’s cave” , I have sewing machines in there currently working on baby th8ngs for my best friends daughters first baby due in May been making bibs, burpee cloths, quilt and a stuffed giraffe. Yes it is down time I find when I’m in there I’m not thinking about what’s happening with me 😃😃
jan61
Member
7 years ago
Hi @Glynnis I miss sewing for the babies but my concentration is pretty haphazard. A bralette is about as difficult as it gets at the moment and it is pretty rough lol.

hi to every one else too! Am I supposed to answer individually? Is a lack of concentration co
Annie_C
Member
7 years ago
@jan61
@Glynnis
I can't go a day without "playing with my sewing machines (5 of).

When I haven't a piece of fabric in my hands, under the machines or being snipped with the scissors I am ratty.

My "studio" (a donga) vibrates to the sounds of Handel, Straus, Beethoven or Tchaikovsky with the airconditioner humming away. It even has a door that locks!

Sewing is my stress relieving mechanism.
TonyaM
Member
7 years ago
I love sewing! My latest project has been to make 10 cotton caps which tie at the back for ladies having chemo in the Blacktown hosp cancer unit.
I’doctor’ a lot of my own clothes when the necklines are abit low.I also alter swimming costumes to accommodate a foam prosthesis.
Artferret
Member
7 years ago
I sewed a lot when our girls were little. I used to make them a christmas dress every year and one year i made them without them noticing so i hung them up in their doorway overnight as a surprise. My eldest daughter thought Santa had brought them! These days i do a lot of embroidery and occasional patchwork.
Zoffiel
Member
7 years ago
I can sew. I learned when I was a child, it was the only option to own new clothing that actually fit me. I loved heavy fabrics, extravagant coats and tailored items. I've made dozens of bridesmaid outfits for unconventionally shaped girls and hundreds of quilts. Dog jackets.

I don't want to do it anymore. My sewing machine shits me, I can't see to thread a needle and I can't stand the mess.

The storeroom is full of boxes of fabric which I can't bear to throw out. It's one of the few hobbies where I can justify keeping provisions even though I'm not sure I'll ever do it again. You simply can't buy the range of fabric now that you could 20 years ago