Why We Sew

A conversation with sewing class participants

I was talking to the girls in Irene’s Tamarack Jacket class about why they sew. Most agreed that it didn’t have anything to do with cost savings, as was the case when I started sewing in the late 1970’s.

Our garment teacher, Irene, frequently hears this cost argument as a reason to not sew, but she believes in quality over initial cost.

A quality garment that lasts for years is better than “fast fashion”

The beauty of sewing yourself, she says, is that you can build a basic wardrobe with quality fabric that will last years. She recently brought in one of her Draped Cardigans, one that she washes frequently. I was surprised that it looked brand new even though it’s 10 years old.

This concept of quality over initial cost is fully understood in Europe, she said, although we in North America still have to wrap our heads around the concept, being more of a throwaway society. Personally, I think this is changing as I see the younger generation being more into thrifting and repurposing.

But being trained old school, we still search for fabric bargains. Mary Lou, a familiar face at ABQ Sewing Studio, just returned from a trip to Intercourse, Pennsylvania where she filled a huge bag with fabrics of unknown fabric content. Her husband was shocked until she told him the price she paid – $15!

In the 1970’s and 80’s it was more economical to sew for yourself. Pinching pennies in my first job, I did look for bargains but sewed mostly for stress relief.

Irene, our garment sewing teacher, did sew for savings. She remembers a much-loved coat she made for travelling to the cold American Southwest. She could not afford a commercially made coat in the style she liked so she found a Vogue pattern and made one for herself.

Standard sizes in off-the-rack clothing don’t always fit properly

Irene is also very tiny and she says finding the right size and style was always a problem.

Many of us have the opposite problem, too many lumps and bumps. But thankfully, with Irene’s help, there are countless solutions to this dilemma as well.

Mostly, we sew for the satisfaction of it

So, why do we most love to sew? It seems that getting immersed in the sewing process gives us all a lot of satisfaction.

As co-worker Kelley often says, ’sewing is our happy place’. Solving puzzles and seeing how things fit together is also something we all find fascinating. It’s quite possible that we would have all made good engineers had we followed that line of study! By the way, do we have any engineers in the crowd?

Being immersed in a sewing project is like taking an out-of-body trip. You leave your cares behind, and then, hopefully, at the end of the process, you have something really lovely and well-fitting.

Retro sewing challenges

My husband Rob, recently found a way to download the series The Great British Sewing Bee. I especially enjoy their retro challenges. Things like Maxi Dresses, Bell Bottom Pants and the Wiggle Dress. What a cute name, right?!

Retro patterns

Pattern archives

If you’re a history buff, you might enjoy these.

The Commerical Pattern Archive

An article about the Consumer Pattern Archive

Sewing is a part of our history

The knowledge of sewing can be found in each family’s history. It’s important knowledge. We should pay more attention to how things are made, their quality, and the ease and comfort and color they add to our lives.

When you sew, you engage your senses and you interpret the garments in your own unique way through your eyes, your fingertips as you sew, and even on your body as you wear it.

Sewing is really an amazing pastime when you think about it. You get to be creative, hone your skills, and make something useful that will last for years.

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