Learning To Sew

It doesn’t take a long scroll online to see millennials trying so-called “granny hobbies”.  Let’s be real, though, I’ve been in my granny phase for a while. From flowers and vegetables to butterflies and chickens, I like the slow hobbies. Interestingly, a few years ago, someone asked about my hobbies, and I momentarily concluded that I had none. I didn’t think reading was a hobby or the garden. Part of me still doesn’t consider any of those hobbies, just feels like things I’m interested in. So maybe they are. 

Years ago, I had a sewing machine, and I tried. I sewed a few things, but would easily get frustrated, and then my machine wasn’t cooperating. Mom fixed it, but then it got worse. My husband officially fixed it when I didn’t have the heart to get rid of the machine, even though it was broken. I just felt defeated. 

Last year, I started dreaming of things to sew and create. After baby girl was born, a lovely friend from church brought dinner, but also the most beautiful handmade outfit. I thought about it for weeks and kept saying I wanted to sew like that. My husband was on board – but only if I was willing to seek advice from the women around me who also sew. No problem! 

The new machine sat unopened for a couple of weeks because I was so nervous. Once I opened it before I plugged it in, I read the manual. This was a serious thing. Not something I want to fail at doing. 

It’s been about six weeks. I’ve made all sorts of things. Most exciting is our daughter’s first Easter dress. 

It’s pink gingham seersucker, fully lined with snaps on the shoulders, and eyelet trim along the bottom. We don’t have to talk about how many seams I had to rip or repress. But it’s not perfect. However, I made it! And I’m so proud and excited and cannot wait to sew more for her. 

Other things I’ve created in the past few months…

• Bible bag
• Book sleeves
• Fabric Easter eggs
• Name banners
• Zippered pouch
• Grocery bag holder
• Baby bibs
• Baby blanket
• My daughter’s first Easter dress & bonnet

Things Sewing Is Teaching Me

I posted on Instagram recently about idle hands. Goodness, it’s a plague in our society. Instead of having idle hands or mind, sewing allows me to create something beautiful. It’s making my patience and perseverance shine, also. Have you ever had a bobbin mess up?? The granny hobbies are great for slowing down and enjoying life. With 3 kids, life moves quickly, and I want to cherish it all. Sewing is helping make flex the slow-down portion of my brain. 

It’s not about perfection. I refuse to let that creep into my life. The baby blanket that I sewed is far from perfect, but I’m still gifting it. It’s the handmade with love aspect that makes it special. But also, if I wait until everything is perfect to gift, I’ll never gift anything. 

One day, I want to be the grandmother who has the best granny hobbies and all her family and friends want to hang out with. 

• Your dress is pretty! My grandmother made it. 
• These cookies are so good. It’s my grandmother’s recipe. 
• Your flowers are beautiful. I garden with my grandmother. 

So for now I’m going to keep practicing and creating. I have more ideas than time, but no complaints. If you want to follow the journey, I share on Instagram. There you can see how many times I use a seam ripper.