Forgotten Life Skill
I am not a great sewer. When I get out the sewing machine I start by having grand exciting plans as to what I am going to make but these plans are soon slashed as I make mistake after mistake.
But I enjoy the process. I enjoy cutting out the fabric, going over each step in my head, pinning the fabric just so then getting my stitch on and sewing up the fabric. The mistakes are annoying but I enjoy getting past them and finally achieving.
Last year I made some underwear, a tie vest top, a blouse, backless dress and an unfinished pair of pj shorts. The latter has got the better of me so need to put it away at the moment.
Although my skills so far have not got me making intricate patterns I am making slow progress and that is good enough for me. I find sewing, generally, a very relaxing process. When the weather is not great or the boys are having a bit of down time and I am not needed I enjoy sitting at the machine and creating something.
My Memere (I couldn’t pronounce Grandmere when I was little) was a seamstress. When she lived in Mauritius she used to sew wedding dresses. She had a quite a rep for doing so across the island. When she came to England she worked for Moss Brothers back in the sixties.
When I was younger my mum used to sew and I would love to watch her and the click clack of the sewing machine. My aunty used to make me nighties and clothes. So I guess for me sewing is nostalgia.
The sound of the machine whirling is comforting to me. Scissors on fabric brings back lovely memories of being in a haberdashery with my mum. I love the sounds and processes of sewing as it brings me back to being little.
Do you like to sew?
Last year I was talking to someone and they were saying how life skills are being lost. Skills like gardening, sewing and so on. They are getting lost as they are no longer necessary to learn. We can buy our fruit and veg, we can buy our clothes cheaply so the need has been taken away.
Hearing this made me sad as these sort of skills are ancient and surely should not be lost. We need to hold on to them. Not only that but they are good for our beautiful minds, they keep us ticking, active, excite our creative brain and help us to de stress.
This year we have partnered up with Stitch in Kernow a fantastic organisation teaching people how to sew. It has been wonderful seeing people in the sewing group progress their sewing skills and gain more confidence. So far they have learnt how to use the sewing machine, sew a tote bag - which they kindly donated to us - sew a skirt, repair clothes and sew a zip to make a bag.
It is wonderful also knowing that through the group they will be able to continue teaching sewing skills to their families so that this valuable life skill is not lost.