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Do You Sew?
Painting by Sydney Bella Sparrow
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8 comments for “Do You Sew?”
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Not since high school, where girls took Home Economics (cooking, sewing) and boys took Shop (using tools, woodworking, basic metal work). You couldn’t switch.
As an adult, I appreciate the practicality of the skill, and I would like to (re-)learn how to sew. I dislike shopping for clothes, most of which are overpriced and poorly made. It would be nice to find a few patterns that flatter my body, and then have to shop only for material when I need or want something new.
I have to hand sew the elastic onto my ballet slippers every 3 or 4 months, and I really hate it. I’m all thumbs.
Ah, sewing. Yes, buttons are about it. I, too, had to sew in high school home ec class (and I failed, as in a grade of “F”). Fortunately, I got an “A” in the semester we did cooking, so it all averaged to a “C”.
I dunno–sewing doesn’t really do anything for me (I never had the urge to sew something cool because I couldn’t find what I wanted in stores). On an intellectual level, I do understand its appeal. How wonderful to be able to whip out a fabulous number that NO ONE ELSE will have! But I just don’t have the desire. I had a gender stereotype role reversal with a man I dated a number of years ago–HE bought a sewing machine and did things like hem his pants, etc., whereas I bought a smoker and made some awesome pulled pork!
Not convinced I’d have done much better in shop, though, had I been allowed to take it.
My ballet teacher is a strapping, 6’3″ straight guy who knows how to pour concrete, remodel a bathroom and meticulously iron lace curtains. Recently, I noticed his dance bag (where he keeps his ballet slippers and change of clothes). It’s khaki green and shaped like a small duffel. But on the inside, it’s got an interior slip pocket and 4 pockets with matching button closures. He made this bag from scratch, and that really blows my mind.
Oh, a Renaissance man! Now *that’s* a broad skill set; impressive.
A Renaissance man and an autodidact. He’s quite unusual.
I think I had to sew my girl scout badges onto my sash and that’s about it. I do enjoy knitting however. It cozier, it’s more practical and less tedious.
And with knitting you’re less likely to get pricked with a sharp needle –