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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: blackie
Date: 09-24-2004, 03:25 PM (1 of 10)
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What are your most annoying and most rewarding moments in sewing? Most Annoying: 1. Anytime I discuss buying something made out of fabric a few of my girlfriends always say, "Can't you just sew that? It would save so much money." Do I even NEED to go into why that is such an annoying thing to say? 2. Combining my two young children with fabric / notion shopping. Many stores "get it" but some people don't. My favorite store in town has a kids' nook with well-organized books and toys for my oldest to play with. One of the clerks there gives me the evil eye if either A. my kids make too much noise, or B. I leave early without buying because my kids are making too much noise! Talk about a lose / lose situation. Of course this is the same lady who told me she didn't have kids but had two cats, which was "the same thing" when it came to getting some alone time to sew! 3. Friends that ask / hint for you to sew for them - but when you suggest doing a project together (they cut out pattern pieces, you sew, etc) suddenly aren't so excited about it. Most Rewarding: 1. Trying a new technique and getting it perfect the first time (rare, but it happens!). 2. Seeing how much a technique has improved with practice - my topstitching is better than most RTW, and I remember when I found it very challenging. 3. When my 2 1/2 year old wakes up from a nap, sees a new piece of clothing, and says happily, "Mama made it!" even if I didn't... she is noticing how important sewing is to my life and to our family. see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 09-24-2004, 05:18 PM (2 of 10)
| It's most annoying to me when people that don't sew thinks it cost nothing. Also that no time is involved. Also when my DH tells people that the machine embroidery I do, he says the machine does it all & I all I do sit & watch. He knows better but says it anyway. No wonder they want some made for nothing. The most rewarding is making stuff that people drool over. Also learning new stuff or ways to do things better or easier. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 09-24-2004, 09:58 PM (3 of 10)
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I think the most annoying thing is how little people appreciate the creativity involved -- that this is actually an art. And so many women feel that it is something any woman can do instinctively "I don't have the time to sew." they say. "No Lady," I want to say, "You don't have the aptitude -- or the talent." It was the same way when I had a cross stitch and needlepoint shop. Women would say "I don't have the time. I have a job." Well so did the university English professor, the doctor, several business women, school teachers and a couple of cleaning ladies that were regular customers. It's not that we all have extra time to do something anyone can do -- it's that we have a creative drive and talent -- as well as some insane (and after getting to know some of you guys the insane part seems to be a major component) addiction to color and texture and textiles. That said, the most rewarding thing is the creativity in designing a unique item and seeing it through, especially with the challenge of new techniques. Good question Blackie Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Sewhappie
Date: 09-24-2004, 10:27 PM (4 of 10)
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" it's that we have a creative drive and talent -- as well as some insane (and after getting to know some of you guys the insane part seems to be a major component)" - quoting Dorothy here. I want to Thank You for noticing this side!!!!!!  You have made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Just like one of the gang, 'cuz you all know just where we ARE coming from!!!!! It's almost like Secrets of YaYa Sisters, hehehehehe- or better yet, the RED HAT Ladies!!!!! We should start our own fashion statement, that way we would know right off the bat that we are "one of those kind, you know "those sewing people"! heheheheheWhat should our colors be?????? How the heck does the Quote thing work anyways? |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: SusanL
Date: 09-25-2004, 08:40 PM (5 of 10)
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Although I haven't been sewing long, my most rewarding moment came from people stopping me in the mall to ask me where I bought these darling dresses for my twins. Of course I made them My most annoying was buying a Vogue pattern and spending numerous painful hours checking and rechecking the pattern before cutting, only to make the dress and hate it. LOL
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User: SusanL
Member since: 09-18-2004 Total posts: 8 |
From: Magot
Date: 09-25-2004, 09:33 PM (6 of 10)
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When you plan and try something new and it works! Such a buzz, I still get the " I lined that jacket" humm when I put it on! Then again, I'm not sure I don't like planning a quilt more han making it. Most annoying is that things seem to take so much longer than you expect - I always forget to build in the "how does that fit?" thinking time into making something. Collars, now they are really annoying! Enormouslt frustrating is my family not realising how much money I save them by making stuff - instead they tell me to get a "proper job" and then I could buy it. grrrrrrrr love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: Sewhappie
Date: 09-25-2004, 10:13 PM (7 of 10)
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most annoying - when you have to cut out all the patterns pieces, and then look through all the pieces to make sure you have the right ones for your size!!!!!! having to alter all the pieces to your body, BECAUSE you are not a standard pattern size!!!!!! I wish they would make patterns for TALL people!!!! why do short get all the advantages?? Do they not know how to fold patterns up to make them shorter???????  It would be so much easier to do that then having to extend the length!!!!!!!!! ( having a B!#%H moment, I really do know why they make them standard sizes).most rewarding- seeing how you look when it fits you to a tee!!! |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: KayTee
Date: 09-26-2004, 01:02 PM (8 of 10)
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I find it most annoying when people who are "gifted" with a homemade item have no appreciation for the time it took to select the correct pattern/style for them and matching it with the appropriate fabric/notions and then, the time it took to make it. The most rewarding is taking teenagers shopping and hearing them say "Mom could make that for a lot less than that" when looking at expensive R-T-W. |
User: KayTee
Member since: 12-06-2002 Total posts: 98 |
From: bunzino
Date: 09-26-2004, 02:27 PM (9 of 10)
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I have to say that what others have to say about my art/work/hobby doesn't affect me much. Course I've been doing this on and off for more yrs than I care to mention. I always say "no" to reqests for free garments and those that I give are GONE -- I try to make something that will be particulary appreciated, but if I blow that, it really is the thought that counts. Layout, fittting the pattern and cutting are the most boring to me -- altho since I started using a rotary cutter, that has speeded things up wonderfully. I love planning, designing, thinking -- as I believe most of us do. So, there are the inevitable mistakes, UFOs and --wonder of wonders -- successes!!!! nancy |
User: bunzino
Member since: 08-16-2002 Total posts: 119 |
From: blackie
Date: 09-26-2004, 02:31 PM (10 of 10)
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KayTee - I love your sashiko!
see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
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