Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: MaryW
Date: 01-08-2007, 06:31 PM (1 of 39)
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Our site is known as the "mature" site - middle age women who sew and quilt. I am looking for someone who can discuss fabric, fashion and sewing with the younger set on a regular basis. Someone who can encourage the younger generation, discuss trends and develop a following at Sew Whats New. If anyone is interested please email me privately. <email address removed for privacy> This is a volunteer position. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Sherri
Date: 01-08-2007, 09:15 PM (2 of 39)
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I am rapidly begiining to think I now longer fit into the Younger set. Sher My website
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User: Sherri
Member since: 02-07-2001 Total posts: 357 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 01-08-2007, 09:38 PM (3 of 39)
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Haha, Sher, I sat here and looked at this post for a while too, asking myself how I managed to be active at "the mature site" for all this time without even knowing it! I think my glass was half full, b/c it hadn't occurred to me that I'd gotten there yet. Then I did some math and began to wonder...Maybe it creeps up on you. Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: PaulineG
Date: 01-08-2007, 10:22 PM (4 of 39)
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Yeah I thought I was still young - doesn't being on the right side of forty count for anything. They say that forty is the new thirty and fifty is the new forty. (This makes Sherri practically a baby). Do we have to like hipster pants to qualify? Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: Sherri
Date: 01-08-2007, 11:33 PM (5 of 39)
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Andrea Your older then me NaNA NA Bo Boo  Sher My website
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User: Sherri
Member since: 02-07-2001 Total posts: 357 |
From: Sancin
Date: 01-09-2007, 04:20 AM (6 of 39)
I am curious as to why the younger group need their own forum, Mary. Perhaps some of the humor and home and personal sort of stuff forums, but most of the sewing and quilting questions and information seems to be experience related rather than age related. Are younger people looking for a separate site or forum on this site? Are they looking at fashion vs sewing? I would hate to see them leave us. I am definitely too old to volunteer. When I was in my twenties my focus in pediatric nursing was adolescent health care but when I turned 30, I realized they considered me too old. I accepted it and went into teaching them instead!! 
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: MaryW
Date: 01-09-2007, 06:22 AM (7 of 39)
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I want to encourage more of the younger ones to participate here. If they had a younger "mentor" so to speak it would maybe have them feel more to home. The younger ones are just now learning they can sew up a fashionable piece of clothing and not have it fall apart the first time it gets washed. There are lots of the younger ones here, if anyone would like to talk fashion, sewing, trends and techniques (on a regular basis) for heaven sakes speak up. There will be no separate forums, everything will stay the same. Sherri is a good example. My kids are older than she is. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: DorothyL
Date: 01-09-2007, 08:21 AM (8 of 39)
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What about Kelly (Blackie)? She is young and always looking for ways to pass on her love of sewing. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: stephi
Date: 01-09-2007, 10:08 AM (9 of 39)
Just wondering what is the cut off for "younger group" I consider myself older but after staring at the want for a few I wondered what was youngers cut off, LOL!!
Stephi
"No body knows what it is that I do until I dont do it" "if you do what you have always done you will get what you have always gotten" |
User: stephi
Member since: 03-17-2006 Total posts: 361 
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From: AndreaSews
Date: 01-09-2007, 10:19 AM (10 of 39)
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I think of these kinds of forums like magazines--they appeal to a mindset, not necessarily an age-group, which is why a few of us might have been surprised to find the forum described in terms of phase of life. Mary makes a good point though, and it's good to explore ways to make the site inviting to a broader range. I think a few of us are suddenly feeling in between--not sure we qualify for the position, based on our age, haha. I do have ideas, tho, Mary. It's a whole discussion in itself. Forum or PM? you choose.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
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From: Pudge99
Date: 01-09-2007, 10:48 AM (11 of 39)
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Yeah Mary, Please explain Younger. I was in my twenties when I joined the site and actually was glad to find a group of wise old women willing to help me . Now I guess I have moved on to the middle age set . Although I do like hipsters . Finally, I don't have to wear pants that go up to the bottom of my ribcage. But seriously I don't follow fashion so I would be out even if I were young enough.So Mary, how young of an audience are you trying to get? Are you thinking young mother age, or teens? Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: Sherri
Date: 01-09-2007, 11:18 AM (12 of 39)
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Maybe we should be called the newly old or something. When I first found this site. There was one other person around my age at the time (I think I was about 25 ish then). It is so nice to feel like I am not the only young person with "old lady" hobbies. So maybe you are getting the following without anyone specific. And sometimes we are looking for the experienced point of view. I know so many times I have been browsing around and got such a different point of view. Love it. Also I agree that we find people with similar interests. Age is really not all that important. Sher My website
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User: Sherri
Member since: 02-07-2001 Total posts: 357 |
From: MaryW
Date: 01-09-2007, 11:59 AM (13 of 39)
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Andrea, forum is fine. PM's are limiting in length. I welcome all ideas at any time.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: DorothyL
Date: 01-09-2007, 12:35 PM (14 of 39)
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Hey Mary -- looks like you hit a sore spot with some of these "aging but not old like the rest of us" types. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: JustSewCrafty
Date: 01-09-2007, 03:50 PM (15 of 39)
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I think its a great idea! I think younger people would find it encouraging to know that there are more people out there closer to thier age that are involved in such a traditional hobby. I read a lot of crafting/sewing blogs and most of them are submitted by "younger people." I read them because we have a lot in common....more non-traditional, different styles, etc. There is also a blog I read every day, and shes middle aged, in her late 40's. I read it because she's VERY talented and I can learn a lot from her. I learn sewing techniques from an older family friend, in her 70's, and she does amazing work. It's not about age, it's how you can relate, and I personally think it would be a great to have a younger person out there on this site to do exactly what Mary is asking. 
May your bobbin always be full-
Stephanie www.chasingthreads.blogspot.com "Sewing is the new black" |
User: JustSewCrafty
Member since: 10-04-2006 Total posts: 168 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 01-10-2007, 12:24 AM (16 of 39)
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I think Mary has a great idea about attracting the younger generation to interact with us here on the boards. However, in my family the younger sisters-in-laws and nieces that are beginning to have an interest in sewing and quilting are seeking out the advice of their "older" experienced aunts (there are only two of us at this point that sew and/or quilt) for advice on the how toos once they have found something in their fashion genre that they want to attempt to construct. So, younger women would be very helpful in cluing us "older" women in on what is hip and fashionable today and then maybe we "older" women could be the consultants for the how to put it together techniques. Personally, I rather enjoy browsing the pattern books to see what is coming and going in the fashion world for the younger generation of women these days. It's actuyally quite interesting to me that a lot of the things my sisters and I wore in the 60s and 70s are now back in "Vogue" so to speak. Some of you would probably be surprised to see what age groups are actually browsing the fabric stores and quilt shops. I've seen younger women in the quilt shops actually looking for fabrics to use as garment fabrics rather than quilting. Quite a bit of the quilting cottons would really make up into really cute summer slacks, capris, shorts, tops, halters, etc. for warmer weather wear. Today's up and coming young women tend to have a broader perspective on the uses of things than we do as we get a little up in the years. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: PaulineG
Date: 01-10-2007, 12:24 AM (17 of 39)
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Is there in fact a "young site" - if so maybe I should go to that one instead so I'm not guilty by association (of decrepitness). Or am I already past their use by date. LOL
Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 01-10-2007, 12:39 AM (18 of 39)
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please do not fold, spindle or mutilate...(I'm doing that gradually.....)
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: material_pakrat
Date: 01-10-2007, 10:31 AM (19 of 39)
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Did we realy get an answer on the age of being classed as an "oldie." I must admit I am starting to wonder if I am an oldie too now. But I would accept any label as long as I can lern more about all kinds of sewing. I would scare everyone who saw me in hipsters, but find myself sorta following fashion just so I can make the "right" kind of clothes for the kids. I think most of us who sew for kids would do that to some degree. I have loved being able to ask questions in here, and honestly have not even thought about the ages of the people who have helped me out. All I really consider is that they have been sewing longer than I have, and I am so thankful that they are willing to take the time to help. I have no-one in my family who sews or crafts anymore since I lost my grandma 20 years ago, so eveything I do has been self taught. So as far as I am concerned these forums are the best thing since sliced bread. One thing that I have noticed that teenagers (in Australia) seem to be really interested in at the moment is beading. Maybe the Craft section could be split up a bit more into different categories? Even do a bit of a crossover for beading on clothes instead of just jewellery? I find myself reading other categories even though I am not there for that purpose, so maybe that could be a bit of a lure. Cheers, Soph.
I'm happiest when I am sewing! |
User: material_pakrat
Member since: 12-13-2006 Total posts: 220 |
From: PaulineG
Date: 01-11-2007, 03:38 AM (20 of 39)
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I've been meaning to do some beadwork on clothing because I often see things at the shops that I admire (jeans etc. for my dd). Unfortunately when I look at the way they've been affixed I'm convinced they'll fall off too easily so I don't buy them. I keep telling her I'll do some but the project keeps going to the bottom of my list. Is there a special place you can go to look for patterns or templates? I was just going to use an applique pattern of some type but haven't really thought it through.
Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: material_pakrat
Date: 01-11-2007, 08:20 AM (21 of 39)
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Iv'e bought the beads, promised the daughter, and have absolutley no idea either! But one of my skirts from Millers has beading on it, and that has been washed a million times (and not hand-washed either) . All they have done is used 2 strands of thread to secure it, and just big stitches at the back. I think the trick is more in the thread you use, but I am not sure what to try, as it is quite thick. Any suggestions anyone?? Cheers, Soph.
I'm happiest when I am sewing! |
User: material_pakrat
Member since: 12-13-2006 Total posts: 220 |
From: Patty22
Date: 01-11-2007, 09:01 AM (22 of 39)
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The computer is the greatest tool in breaking down discrimination barriers.....age included. When an individual, no matter what age, is interested in learning to make clothing, design, etc. they will persue any avenue to get them to that means. This individual would go to the forum that could answer their questions and offer alternatives solutions to their unique sewing dilemma. Mary, I'm a bit surprised you would even "buy into" thinking that a YOUNG moderator is needed in order to communicate or attract YOUNG individuals into sewing. If the lingo is the barrier that needs to be broken, all one needs is the urban dictionary. http://www.urbandictionary.com/ (My daughter refered to John Mayer as a tool bag and I was shocked because I don't think he's a poser.) "To escape criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing." unknown Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: MaryW
Date: 01-11-2007, 10:34 AM (23 of 39)
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I think young people like to interact with other young people. Simple as that.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: JustSewCrafty
Date: 01-11-2007, 04:09 PM (24 of 39)
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I know I've already posted on this topic but I feel like I should defend it somehow as it is getting blasted! I dont see why this is getting such negative feedback. I understand there are LOTS of things that can be taught by older people..but you can also learn new things from younger people too... How can it be a BAD thing? May your bobbin always be full-
Stephanie www.chasingthreads.blogspot.com "Sewing is the new black" |
User: JustSewCrafty
Member since: 10-04-2006 Total posts: 168 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 01-11-2007, 04:34 PM (25 of 39)
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No doubt that the young can teach us a few things. I learned to bead from a couple of teenagers. I think this is a great idea Mary! I hope someone steps forward. Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: Patty22
Date: 01-11-2007, 05:56 PM (26 of 39)
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I hope no one was thinking I was blasting the idea of having "young" people being a moderator as I think it is great. If I was "young" and had a question and Pam came on with her wonderful explicit instructions I would be thrilled for her assistance. Or if my machine gave me the whillies and the sewing machine guys - Tom and Ed came through with their calm you can fix this approach - I would again be thrilled and grateful for such kind people. I guess to point out to all the members the demographics grouped us as a bunch of geezers made me laugh. You're as young or old as you feel 
Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 01-11-2007, 08:01 PM (27 of 39)
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Right there with you Patty. Thinking constructively....I just noticed that there's no longer a heading for "Middle Age Spread" for personal/non-sewing issues, so I don't suppose there's much need any longer to balance it with a youth-oriented space. But a space that invites members to talk about, ask for help on, and show off their home ec, prom, teen sewing contest projects.... That might be worth a trial. If you think about sites that get a lot of youth attention, you'll notice they tend to have writing on the wall that says Your Teen Attitude is Welcome Here! As well as an environment that is visually more diverse. As well as advertising that appeals to that mindset. I do believe it's a mindset more than an age group--I know a gang of creative folks age 35+ who are building wonderful families,etc, but you'd see them hanging out in a popculture space before a mainstream one, even if the sites had the same content. If the main goal of this site is to aid sewing enthusiasts in enhancing their abilities, that can be said to all age groups. It seems after reading this thread that up until this week, many of us hadn't really given much thought to the demographics here, assuming we all sew, right, so there's our common ground. But a newcomer who's also relatively new to sewing might give that more thought--do I belong here? Can I fit in? (end of current stream of consciousness!) Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
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From: AndreaSews
Date: 01-11-2007, 08:11 PM (28 of 39)
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Add to that: ++ links to (and from) favorite related sites, including youth-oriented sites. ++ a handful of how-to's on the home page that are fast, easy, and oriented to this group: text book covers, locker accessories, the bandana skirt counts but could use a picture, and the ever-popular t-shirt re-con(struction) As for moderating, I'll always extend a welcome to youth that are into sewing. It's one of those things I'm into. Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
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From: material_pakrat
Date: 01-11-2007, 10:06 PM (29 of 39)
I think "young" is a mindset, just like "fashion" is a mindset too. If anyone saw my wardrobe in it's entirety they would think it belongs to a psycho. I have my fav clothes which are really me. Which also happen to be in sytle at the moment - hippy skirts, broomstick skirts, stripe pants, batiks - basically anything that is all cotton and has colour to it, and possibly is an original. I quite often have family (only they can think they can get away with it) ask me aren't I too old to be wearing those clothes? But then I am also in style in the "conservative" vein - even though they are my last favourite clothes to wear. I have to have them for any functions involving my husbands work - all of his conservative group would curl up their noses at my "normal" clothes. They raised their eyebrows when he turned up to a casual function with a surf shirt and jeans on, instead of the correct button down short sleeve shirt and slacks.  But bring on more youth - 4 yr old daughter is learning sewing - and because he doesn't want to miss out on anything, so is 10 yr old son. Hubby cant help himself when my sewing is around - he just has to help, even if it is a hinderance at times for me. Love the idea of a prom/formal dress comp - Spotlight did it here with success. Also puts a spotlight on young designers. And Patty - if you are only as young as you feel - what are you when you just feel lumpy????
Cheers, Soph.
I'm happiest when I am sewing! |
User: material_pakrat
Member since: 12-13-2006 Total posts: 220 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 01-11-2007, 10:30 PM (30 of 39)
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I personally think it would be fun and interesting to have an area where the younger sewists/designers can post their creations and interact with other sewists/designers in their age group about their creations. I think right now some of them (I think Bama has a young daughter that is quite creative but hasn't posted any of her work yet) might hesitate to post pictures of their designs/creations among those of us "older" sewists/designers". So, a forum of their own with a moderator of the same age group is a terrific idea and is in no way making a statement about how old or anything else the rest of us are. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: PaulineG
Date: 01-12-2007, 05:04 AM (31 of 39)
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Time for me to point out that I hope I wasn't taken as being negative about the concept of such a forum. It was just me being tongue in cheek about my age. I agree that often younger people are able to relate to each other better than those who are older (I was certainly in this category when younger). I think as we get older we don't think or believe that our minds have aged along with our bodies (some have and some haven't) but even so we can remember our youth and feel able to relate to it as we have experienced it. Younger people have never experienced being older so don't have the feeling of "common ground" to help them relate. Sewing will become the common ground for us all - but it has to start somewhere. BTW - only partly related - there couldn't possibly be any other forum (whatever the demographic) as fantastic as this one. Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 01-13-2007, 02:05 PM (32 of 39)
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I take all this talk about age with a grain of salt... I am a child of the depression.. born 1934.. I have a baby sister who is a baby boomer born 1949.. She is one of that famous generation whose motto USED to be "never trust anyone over 40"... But now they are all over 40, and still fighting their ages..(the age in years, anyway) .. But, my generation never learned to be ashamed of our age, so we are handling it better.. Or so it seems to me... I feel like I'm 16 sometimes and 116 at others.. I love to watch the trends and right now I'm glad to see more midriffs being covered again in everyday clothes.. I do love the beadwork and trims on the jeans, etc.. right now.. It has encouraged lots of the young girls I know to try a little bit of trim on their clothes to be more economical and therefore they are asking advice on sewing from their elders.. Good time to make communication advances with them..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Patty22
Date: 01-13-2007, 02:37 PM (33 of 39)
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And Patty - if you are only as young as you feel - what are you when you just feel lumpy???? __________________ Cheers, Soph. I have been giving this question considerable thought. I went to sleep just perplexed the last few nights just wondering how to answer you, but when I woke up this morning I had the answer. If you feel lumpy, you are still beautiful or as young or old as you feel. If you doubt this, check out the work of Columbian artist, Fernando Botero http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/botero_fernando.html His figures may be considered "lumpy" but there is no question in my mind that the spirit of the individuals still projects other qualities and one of them is beauty. I personally would want an artist to depict my sausage legs in the style of Botero in order to let the world know their are other facets of my personality other than my body. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 01-13-2007, 03:19 PM (34 of 39)
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Those look more like me than you, Patty. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: swartzrn
Date: 01-13-2007, 09:34 PM (35 of 39)
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I'm not sure where I would fit in--almost 35 years old but just starting sewing again last year. Of course, if you go by what my obstetrician told me when I was pregnant with my 2 year old (called me "advanced maternal age--BAH!) I guess I'm old!! LOL!
Julie
"To see the future, look into a child's eyes." |
User: swartzrn
Member since: 02-17-2006 Total posts: 436 
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From: lendube
Date: 01-13-2007, 09:52 PM (36 of 39)
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Reminds me of what my ob/gyn said to me a few months ago when I told her I was sure I was in the later stages of perimenopause. I'm 50, mind you. We did the blood test. "I am so happy to tell you that you are fertile enough to concieve and nowhere near menopause!" I was devastated..........How much longer is this going to go on..........I started my periods at 10 1/2! So, where do I fit in??? Does it matter? What are they saying, 50 is the new 30 - 60 is the new 40..... Boy, has this post taken on a life of it's own. May I suggest, Mary, that you start a new post with your original intention?? Lennie
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User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: PaulineG
Date: 01-13-2007, 11:16 PM (37 of 39)
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Maybe Mary will have to be brave and tell us all what she thinks young is? That should be interesting. LOL
Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: Hogmami
Date: 01-14-2007, 09:51 PM (38 of 39)
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I have been watching this thread and just wanted to share something with everyone. Today my son and his girl friend where here for the afternoon. Paula and I had so much fun. She wanted to make a baby blanket for the baby that will be born in May and wanted my help. She knows a little about sewing but has never made a quilt. I found a kit at JoAnns for a real simple quilt. It took us 3 hours but we had fun. She did all the sewing and now whats to learn to make clothes for the baby. I think her and I will get along great. She is 20. I feel that young people want to learn to sew too and can be a great help to us older people. I hope you find someone for this job, Mary.
Carolyn
Michigan |
User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 800 
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From: swartzrn
Date: 01-14-2007, 10:05 PM (39 of 39)
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I wasn't sure if young was AGE or green in experience of sewing.
Julie
"To see the future, look into a child's eyes." |
User: swartzrn
Member since: 02-17-2006 Total posts: 436
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