How I learned to Sew…

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I have been so busy sewing the final mock ups for my sewing book (cue excited squeal), that I have not had a chance to make anything else…not even a little accessory to share with you! ย I am hoping that will change later on in March…fingers crossed! ๐Ÿ™‚

So when it came to decide what to share with you all today, I became stumped…which usually never happens. ย I thought and I thought and, yep, I thought some more, and came up with this story. ย The story of how and why I started sewing….

I was around the age of 10 and had just received the ultimate gift that every little girl in the ’90’s wanted (and I am sure even today,) an American Girl Doll. ย Kirsten to be exact, whose story was set inย the 1850’s. ย I loved that doll and took her everywhere with me. ย I dressed her, fed her, braider her hair, and had just about the best time ever! ย But, one thing I did not have enough of was outfits. ย To purchase them through the company was expensive, and I was convinced that I could reproduce them on my own.

Now up to that point, I could do a basic sewing stitch. ย I’m talking basic. ย And I don’t believe I ever used a sewing machine up to that point. ย I might have…I’m just not sure. ย Maybe myย mom will remember when she reads this? ๐Ÿ™‚ ย But as far as I am aware, I hadn’t. ย So I begged my mom to haul out our 1970’s Singer sewing machine, that I am pretty sure weighed more than me, and sat down for my first lesson. ย Mom gave me the basics, some scraps to practice with, and off I went.

It didn’t take me too long to figure out what I liked and didn’t like about sewing. ย I enjoyed the sound it made, and even the odd “machinery” smell that it emitted after over an hour of use. ย Perhaps many of you know what I’m talking about? ย It’s the wonderful blend of your sewing machine, ย the heat from the light inside, andย a little dose of magic. ย Every once in a while, I will get a whiff of it from mine and it instantly takes me back to a happy time. ย Now that I am thinking about it, I hope that smell isn’t a sign the machine is aboutย to explode?….Oh well! ๐Ÿ™‚

What I didn’t like about the sewing machine was my constant battle with the bobbin tension. ย I hated it! ย That machine was so finicky and would seize up with the bobbin and I would just about loose it. ย Oh and button holes….not my friend back in the day. ย Thank goodness for sew-in velcro!

Eventuallyย I got the hang of it, and my dad took me to the local Joann Fabrics store where I picked out my first sewing pattern. ย It was a Simplicity pattern for 18″ dolls, and I am pretty sure was fairly new in response to the popularity of the American Girl Dolls. ย With that in my little hand and two choices of cotton, I plunked down my allowance and headed home to get started!

My first doll dress. ย Where to begin?….

ย I guess I should take a “glass-half-full” viewย of it.

It was a dress.

And if you pulled really hard the velcro in the back could alllmmooooost touch. ย What I didn’t understand, at the time, was the concept of a full skirt. ย I just cut out enough to go around her body and thought that was enough. ย So my 1850’s doll was wearing a 1960’s Twiggy shift dress. ย But I didn’t care. ย I just kept ย practicing!

Every week, like clockwork, my mom and dad would take me to the fabric store. ย  I would pick out one or two calico patterns (1/2 yard each) and would go home to try again! ย I got pretty good at it and before I knew it, Kirsten was wearing a dress that was properly fitting, properly designed, and didn’t need a shawl to cover up her exposed back. ย It was a great accomplishment!

I don’t know if my parents, at that time, realized the impact this experience would have on me in my later life. ย They always supported my brother and I in our hobbies, but I wonder if they knew they were laying the groundwork for my passion and career? Regardless, I would like to say thank you mom and dad! ย You supported a dream that has become a reality! ๐Ÿ™‚

Oh, and dad, thanks for the extra fabric money. ย I’m not sure how my allowance always went so far…but it did! ๐Ÿ™‚

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8 thoughts on “How I learned to Sew…

  1. Oh that reminds me of one of MY doll-sewing mishaps. I had wanted to make a yellow Belle ballgown. And I was like “huh. How do they get it to puff and stick out? I know — PADDING.” Cue me stuffing the bejeezus out of a couple of panels until they were packed as hard as a tailors ham… only to find that my perfectly fitting skirt no longer could make a circle around a doll’s waist. The half-completed horror still haunts my grandmother’s house, as far as I know. ๐Ÿ˜›

    But the only thing for my American Doll (I got one of the new styles with auburn hair and grey eyes and I named her Ellen) that actually worked was my attempt at a Civil War ballgown. It was hideously sewn, and the embroidery hoop-turned-hoop skirt was hilariously wonky, but I made it for a history project in middle school.

    I miss the days of getting the American Girl catalogue and excitedly poring over the outfits and books. The only one I had the full box set of (though I read them all!) was Samantha.

    — Tegan

  2. Having vintage sewing machines I know exactly the smell you fondly remember. I thought I was in a minority liking that smell lol. I grew up pre American Girl doll. I was geeky and played with fantasy action figures, I did have some sea wees but you can’t sew dresses for mermaids you jam in a lilly pad sponge… :/ I also sewed some tribbles when I was little lol. My favorite ‘tribble’ though was more evolved. My mom helped me add safety eyes and I put a squeeze squeaker inside because they made noise in the episode……. Yep, always been a strange one ๐Ÿ™‚ Love your sewing story though!

    • I am so glad that you know that smell too! ๐Ÿ™‚ Hahaha! I know exactly the episode you are talking about (which is one of my favorites) but didn’t know they sold actual tribbles! Love it!
      Thank you for sharing! ๐Ÿ™‚
      Aimee

  3. Mary Sorensen

    What a wonderful story! And I DO understand the smell. I’m 57 years old now with the same sewing machine I had in high school (the heavy, 1970’s one) and, you’re right, it has a certain smell (but a good one). Thanks for sharing. : ) I hope more 10 year old girls will pick up the art of sewing as it is such a fun creative outlet.

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