WE ASKED OUR CONTRIBUTORS
The paper edition of Threads (Aug./Sept. 2012) goes on sale today, but those of you who have already become Threads Insiders have had the advantage of reading the digital edition of the issue for about a month already! On the Contributor’s page of the issue, we asked the featured authors: “What influences directed you toward your current career?” As one might expect, the author’s responses were varied. Carol Ahles (“Fundamentals: Fine Topstitching”), Susan Lazear (“Get the Ideal Silhouette”), Judy Barlup (co-author of “Tailored Trousers”), and Joyce Simons Murphy (co-author of “Tailored Trousers”) were the featured authors. It’s always interesting to see how the same question can be answered in so many different ways!
I DIDN’T PLAN A CAREER INVOLVED WITH SEWING
Although I don’t work as a professional seamstress or sewing educator, working at Threads is the next best thing. I started working at Taunton Press in the Operations Department, but my boss knew I loved to sew. When a position opened up at Threads, he encouraged me to apply, and I’ve been here ever since! Not only do those of us on the Threads staff write and edit sewing topics, we also share our personal sewing challenges and successes over lunch, while waiting for a meeting to begin, and whenever we can find a spare moment. I don’t find as much time to sew as I’d like to, but just working among people who love to sew as much as I do is a joy.
YOU COULD WIN THIS MAGAZINE ISSUE!
What influences helped to shape your current sewing hobby or career? Share your thoughts in a comment, and you’ll be entered into our drawing for a copy of this issue. Just leave your comment prior to the deadline–11:59 pm EST, Wednesday, July 25. The winner will be randomly selected and announced during the week of July 30. The winner will also be notified via email.
My sewing hobby was shaped by my mother, who taught me how to use her machine young and encouraged my creativity. It is also her encouragement to develop my creative side that has seen me take up a career in the design industry :)
My little sister!She lived to shop,outragious,and the most expensive clothes she could lay away. And then nag and take fits until you would go pay for them. By taking apart and putting back together old clothes, to learn the tailoring tricks.Soon I could copy anything my little sister wanted! Someday I will tell her,but it's only been 40 years.She taught me how to handle difficult designs and people!! [email protected]
I was and am inspired by my great auntie who was an artist and seamstress professionally and always worked in her home which was an apartment or a small house with two companion pet cats. She would sketch, paint and sew several different projects within the same time frame so would transition from one to another to keep her creative focus and interest fresh! She created professionally for pay for other people and also created gifts for family and friends as well as for her own personal wardrobe, house and garden decor beautification. She also designed and sewed for some people in the entertainment industries. I was one of her artist models when I was a little girl. She owned and created the most interesting, unique and eclectic beautiful things I had ever seen. Many of her treasures came from yard and rummage sales and thrift shops!
I loved exploring all of her books, arts crafts and sewing supplies stashes!
She made an impression on me when I was very young and she still inspires me today!
Blessings!
From
Debra J Webb
Watching my mom sew and loving to create
My precious Grandmother Grace, the wife of a pastor, mother to seven, grandmother to eleventy-jillion....baker of worlds greatest boysenberry cobbler. She supplemented the household income by sewing for folks, as well as her family. She patiently taught me to thread her treadle Singer and remember when she had that machine updated with a motor. I learned the importance of "making do", repairs, and also, the fun of sewing with fine fabrics, combining patterns for just "that look" from a Vogue magazine.
I never sit at my sewing machine without feeling very grateful that my Grandmother shared this invaluable gift with me.
My father bought my mother a beautiful machine which she reluctantly used, and it sat quietly in their room for a few years. I watched the aeronautical engineer sit down with a Belgian wool blanket which needed a new satin binding. He patiently changed the cam and applied a beautiful decorative stitch... I was in awe! He said it was "only a machine". When I took Home Ec in junior high and made my first dress, he told me that he would buy me supplies for my next project as soon as one was completed. He knew how busy I was, but I was on fire to spin out the next project! I wish I could say I complete a project before moving on to the next, but that is SO not true :-) Now I teach one daughter and one granddaughter and they get to raid my stash when they finish their own projects! I should hide my favorite pieces!! What a lovely full circle.
When I moved from Virginia to Michigan, our family didn't have much money for buying clothes. I had been in private school and had only school uniforms. But my new school was public and I needed dresses so that my classmates wouldn't think I only had one outfit! My grandmothers took me under their capable wings. One started me with a treadle machine and making babydoll clothes and aprons. Meanwhile, my other grandma, a seamstress, taught me how to make simple newspaper patterns and gave me some remnants. My mom made a deal with the local VFW that our family would get the clothes left over from their rummage sales and showed me how to take clothes apart to reuse them as fabric. She showed me how to thread her old Singer sewing machine. I dearly loved some of the designs that I made from "odd" fabric! It was even fun to come up with my own ideas of "style". I had the most unique clothes in school and that cause of being teased was very effectively removed!
As a child my mother sewed, a lot. She taught me as well. I didn't really pick up the sewing desire until I was a teen and realized I could make what I couldn't buy.
I really appreciate the skill she taught me. Over the years I picked up other information about sewing through trial/error,magazines,patterns, or just my creativity. I learn more by doing.
I have sewed many of things for myself, children, and lots of other people, who found out I could sew. I truly love it, and love the challenge it creates for me.
I find myself thinking of lots of projects I could do for myself, but these are always on the back burner, since I do more for others.
My mother passed away a few years ago, who I miss dearly, I know she would be proud to see all my accomplishments. I can't thank her enough for all she has done for me..I try to pass this talent on to my children, but they are not interested, although they have other creative talents.
It has been a blessing to carry on what my mother dearly loved.:) Julie
Due to a shortage of money in the 40's and my love for clothes - I started to sew at the age of 12. I sewed for my 3 boys and my mother and for my 3 little granddaughters. I still make my own clothes at 78 years of age. I like to be creative and design my own and get the fit that I like.
I would like my granddaughters to sew, but unfortunately they are not interested.
They are quite happy to bring their little problems for me to repair.
I love to sew and hope I can continue to do so.
definitely my Mother. She loved to sew but had very little money. She would make us things from scraps, repurpose used clothing, etc. She would also sew for other people and always pay great attention to how their finer clothes were made so she could learn their secrets.
I got my influence for sewing from my beloved grandmother. She was an amazing seamstress, and could look at a dress and make one just like it, which was beneficial when sewing for 3 girls and living a great distance from town. When we grandchildren were visiting, she would give us the free dish towels that came in boxes of detergent in those days. We would make purses from them. We could spend hours cutting and sewing our projects, and we even cut up several of her tablecloths in the process. Each time I sit down at my machine I think of her, and I feel so blessed to have learned from the very best.
The two greatest influences on my sewing passion are my Mother and her Mother. My Grandmother sewed out of necessity for her family and for others to supplement income during the great depression. Mum sewed for us as kids and later for others. It seems to me that a lot of what I learned was through "osmosis" as the sewing room was my bedroom.They were both patient and competent teachers and I was making my own clothing by age 13. There are two other influencing factors, one being that by the time I got to High School and took home ec. I knew more than the sewing teacher did so other students came to me for help.I took out the year prize for sewing and textiles 3 years consecutively. The other factor is having worked for someone else for 25 years. Enough! I am about to launch my new career as a professional dressmaker and be my own boss. Wish me luck.
HEN.
Although I first learned how to sew by stitching doll clothing from fabric scraps my mother left while sewing our clothing, I learned fine sewing and tailoring skills from my high school home economics teacher. Her favorite saying was " rip it out, sew it again". From this teacher I learned to have no fear and always search for new skills and "toys". But the most important influence were two instructors at a Sewing Expo who taught fitting techniques. My fitting frustrations were finally over and I became obsessed with making sure everything I made fit perfectly. I now make historically authentic clothing for reenactors and work with individuals who, because of fitting problems, cannot buy "off the rack" clothing. Hooray for retirement!!
with Threads magazine, I am constantly learning new techniques. The ideas keep coming, and the expert advice I just keep absorbing. I learn something new everytime I read an article. I read each issue of Threads at least four times! Once to get an overview, another to read each article in detail, another usually at the end of the month, then quarterly I file pertinent articles into folders. As I sew, I refer back to those articles. For example, today I'm putting in an invisible zipper. Even though I know how, I always refresh my memory by going through my folder on zippers.Mabowles
My mother! I watched her sew from my earliest days. She loved making clothes for all of us, even though it was a necessity. It was such a thrill to finally be given a real needle and thread when I was six. I also received a Singer child's sewing machine that year, which clamped to the table and made chain stitches. I made my first garment (a sleeveless summer top) on that little machine.
Mother made everything from baby clothes to wedding gowns, bowling shirts to slipcovers, and could replicate anything she saw. Much of this she learned from my grandmother, who never used a commercial pattern. Perhaps that's why I love to create items "from scratch."
I love to sew, and always feel that my mother is near when I'm sewing.
Living with my grandparents, my grandmother sewed everything for my aunt and me. At four, I watched her sew draperies and upholstery for their ten condominiums as well as our clothes. Fascinated with taking a one-dimensional fabric and making a three-dimensional object, grandmother started me hand sewing doll clothes, fastening with pins. Later I graduated to snaps, buttons and then buttonholes. She took me through the whole process until during my eighth grade home economics class, I zoomed ahead of everyone else. While others were struggling with the construction of a simple blouse, I pressed forward making three items, including a dress with an eight- gored skirt. The class fashion show gave me the impetus to make everything I wore from then on. After my marriage, I made ties and western shirts for my husband and son, dresses and bedding for my daughters, and business suits for myself. Each year before school, my daughters would pick their favorite dresses out of catalogues and I would sew copies of their choices. I started a small sewing business and sewing school in my home, which was successful for nine years. Without my grandmother and my teacher’s influence, I would never have found my interest and saved money during the lean years. I’ll forever be grateful to them both.
I had a very good Home Economics teacher in high school. She had the capacity to teach us to sew well but more importantly, she was supportive and apparently creatively critical. My older sister also learned to sew from the same teacher. This teacher was appreciated not only by the two of us, but my Mother as well. My Mother could sew, but did it only out of need. She was relieved when my sister and I learned to sew and gladly shared her treadle sewing machine. My sister didn't retain her interest as I have. I think having a rather long torso in the days of dresses that always hit at the waist with ties in back. After living all my elementary years with dresses that hit just below my ribs I was delighted to find I could control that fit by sewing my own.I have sewed over the years for my daughter who is only 4 ft 11. She was so small getting clothes to fit her age there was only one way. Sew it myself. I have sewed her wedding dress plus many concert gowns as she played in orchestra during high school. Sewed many Halloween costumes for both son and daughter, grandchildren. My most recent projects are 2013 prom dresses for my 16 year old grand daughter and her friend, an ice skating costume for her 14 yr old sister, and a dress for one of my great grand daughters.
My mother finally found sewing that captured her. In her later years she took great pleasure in sewing a quilt for my sister and I and one for each grandchild. A happy ending as you can guess what those quilts mean to us.
My High School dressmaking teacher, Mrs. Farley greatly influenced my sewing. I remember coming home from the last day of 6th grade in tears. I had not finished a timed written test on sewing machine care and had not been allowed to use the machine.
My mother promptly sent me around the corner to my Great Aunt's house, who allowed me to use her treadle machine. My mother was able to help me figure out how to put the pattern pieces together and I would sew them at my Great Aunt's house several times a week over that summer. I made a button-front blouse, skirt and an apron. I was somewhat hooked, but only worked on Barbie Doll clothes until High School.
Having Mrs. Farley as my teacher and mentor completely opened up a whole new world for me. I made clothing for myself, and my brothers and sisters and did alterations for neighbors all through High School. Mrs Farley sent me to a tailoring class, a drapery factory and taught me how to make alterations for those with physical disabilities. She also helped to get my first part time job - sewing sweatbands into fire chief's and police officer's caps! LOL!
When my children were small I sewed out of necessity, making everything from coats to snowsuits to dresses as well as play-wear.
I have recently launched a home-based sewing/design business and think of Mrs. Farley quite often when I am sewing. When I have to pull my seam ripper out - I quietly thank her for all the zippers she ripped out and made me do again and again until they were perfect!
My High School dressmaking teacher, Mrs. Farley greatly influenced my sewing. I remember coming home from the last day of 6th grade in tears. I had not finished a timed written test on sewing machine care and had not been allowed to use the machine.
My mother promptly sent me around the corner to my Great Aunt's house, who allowed me to use her treadle machine. My mother was able to help me figure out how to put the pattern pieces together and I would sew them at my Great Aunt's house several times a week over that summer. I made a button-front blouse, skirt and an apron. I was somewhat hooked, but only worked on Barbie Doll clothes until High School.
Having Mrs. Farley as my teacher and mentor completely opened up a whole new world for me. I made clothing for myself, and my brothers and sisters and did alterations for neighbors all through High School. Mrs Farley sent me to a tailoring class, a drapery factory and taught me how to make alterations for those with physical disabilities. She also helped to get my first part time job - sewing sweatbands into fire chief's and police officer's caps! LOL!
When my children were small I sewed out of necessity, making everything from coats to snowsuits to dresses as well as play-wear.
I have recently launched a home-based sewing/design business and think of Mrs. Farley quite often when I am sewing. When I have to pull my seam ripper out - I quietly thank her for all the zippers she ripped out and made me do again and again until they were perfect!
My grandma taught my aunt and Mommy to sew. They in turn taught their daughters. Mommy taught me how to sew for my Girl Scout sewing badge. When I got to Home Ec in school. I finished the projects quickly and went on to extra credit projects. I still remember being marked down for not trimming off all those stray threads...
My love of sewing really took root when I was pregnant the first time and saw how expensive maternity clothes were! Then we I wanted breastfeeding clothes, they were even more expensive! Then I started designing my own clothes too!
I enjoy reverse engineering different sewn objects. Partly it's a fun exercise, but it comes in handy when I want to make something without a pattern, including recovering couches and chairs.
My love of sewing got me a job at a fabric store. I also get small jobs from friends who need mending or unique projects. I like fixing things and making things! Sewing last longer than a well-made cake!
Just looking craft blogs and message boards give me inspiration to learn more.
My mother hated to sew. She would say to me "You marry a man who can aford to buy your clothes." My grandmother raised my mother and her brother alone during the depresion yrs sewing for the big department stores in Indianapolis and could sew anything. She used to buy at yd sales and make my mother 2 piece suits from one man's suit. She would carefully take apart each seam saving the buttons, lining, padding and use it all in a wool suit for my mother. I was born wanting to sew. I had put the sewing machine needle through my thumb before I could hold a pencil and barely remember my mother pulling the needle out with her teeth. As a teen she would buy dresses for me at thrift stores and hang them in my closet. I would sit on my bed with a seam ripper and take apart each garment and combine the fabrics into something new. Now, I sew for a living in my home and my greatest joy is for someone to say to me "I love it, you knew just what I wanted." Thank you, to my mother.
My Mom was my influence for the love of sewing. She made most of my clothes when I was a child - mostly out of neccessity as we did not have a lot of money. She was a wonderful seamstress and a perfectionist. From the scrap fabric I made clothes for my Barbie doll; first by hand and later by machine.
Her sewing machine was the little Singer Featherweight, which she took such good care of that it looked brand new. I learned to sew on that machine, and still have it today. Under her careful eye, I was told never to run over pins, never have the Singer manual near the machine to get oil on it, fold your patterns back as they came out of the package, be careful with that machine on "heavy fabric" etc. The rules were endless.
When I was a Senior in high school in the mid-1970's, I was making most of my own clothes. I made all my shorts and tops for our class trip to Disney World in Florida. And for a high school Home Economics class I made a wide-wale corduroy coat (in red), plus a patchwork quilt.
Today I like to try new sewing techniques; recently experimented with some raw edge garments. Threads magazine is great for inspiration and technical reference.
My mother taught me to sew as a tween. I did simple shirts and skirts, some quilting, but my interest didn't really start until I began sewing ren-fair garb. I didn't have the money to buy bodices and such, so i just tried making them. In the end, I made pieces that fit me better and were more period accurate than what I would have bought.
From there I discovered how fun it was to make one-of-a-kind garments that fit me perfectly. The creative process of turning a pattern and some fabric into something awesome to wear is fun. I sew things that reflect my personal style, and love to redesign patterns and add that unique touch. My best pieces are often spawned from left-over fabric scraps in my box.
Economy has definitely influenced my sewing, but in a good way, getting my brain to figure out cool ways of using every bit of material I have. The garments I get the most complements from are the ones that I made from left-overs. They bring out my most creative side.
I used to watch my grandmother sew when I was a child, but never did it. When I grew up books and history inspired me to draw costumes. When I grew up even more, not being able to find clothes that fit me properly sent me to the community college so I could finally learn how to sew and tailor clothes for myself. So, I guess, LIFE influenced me. :)
Joining a 4-H club at age 10 influenced both a hobby and a career. I had a wonderful 4-H sewing teacher who also inspired me to later become an Adult Education Sewing Teacher.Sewing has always been a hobby for me as I have retired from teaching and now judging many county fairs in the state where I reside
When I was about thirteen my mother tried to teach me to sew. Her old machine made everything so difficult that I gave up. Then, in seventh grade I was required to take a sewing class. The teacher insisted on perfection in everything we produced so I swore off sewing then. I did not take it up again until I received my grandmother's 1960's machine when she passed. I started to experiment with my first Elna. When my daughter was born, I was determined to sew for her so I went to work teaching myself. I eventually bought a Phaff and my little girl went to kindergarden in the most feminine, frilly, lacey dresses I could create. Every Halloween she had an elaborate costume. When the "Titanic" movie came out I made her a reproduction of one of the dresses that Rose wore. I continue to sew for myself now; determined to learn more and tackle more complex projects with the help of , "Sew Stylish," and "Threads,!"
My mom was the one I first learned from by watching her sew on her White machine always open, always being used in our living room. My sister and I were fascinated even in spite of the memory of seeing what a needle through one's finger to the bone could do. With our cousin we sewed as if it were an "of course" thing to do. We still do.
I learned how to sew out of necessity, we were very poor most of my clothes came from Goodwill and I had to alter them to fit as I was very small back thenas a child. We did not own a sewing machine so everything had to be done by hand. I would hem things and take in the sides sometimes I would add a pocket to try to change up the look. I would use the extra fabric I cut off a garment to make new tops or shorts in the summer. Then when I was 12 and went to Jr High School there was a sewing class I was in heaven. The teacher was kind enough to allow me to come in at lunch time and before and after school to use the sewing machines. We could not afford to buy fabric or the basic supplies for the class. My teacher bought me what I needed to get started. I still like to sew though my children are adults now I sewed for them all through school my youngest was in theather we made many costumes. dresses for dances and quilts for winter mild as it is in California. I still like to walk in a fabric store and just touch the fabric and look at the patterns. My youngest now calls what I did as a child repourposeing and say it is good to reuse rather then always buying new. Who knew I was ahead of my time!
I've been sewing about as long as I can remember, and probably before then. Because 4H was only open to the "country girls" when I was growing up, and the Home Ec. teachers not much ahead of me on experience, Mom hooked me up with Rose, one of the local dressmakers. When I messed up on a project, I would go to Alexine, who sold fabric downtown, or to Rose's house to get things figured out. Making a "squaw skirt" on Mom's Singer featherweight in an un-airconditioned apartment in July when I was 15 led to many emergency consultations! I was a Home Ec. major in college, never considered anything else. I made most of my clothes, my husband's shirts, upholstered whatever handmedown furniture came our way, maternity clothes and the layette when baby was on the way, etc. Many moves and years later, I found myself lucky enough to be working for Cy Rudnick's Fabrics in KC, enjoying access to fabulous, exotic fabrics - and spending time with Judy Neukam - now an editor of THREADS - and the many other talented people who worked and shopped at Cy's! My son lives in Thailand, and when I visit we visit fabric schools, markets, and shops all over the country. My stash is as good as any scrapbook. It's full of memories, and reminds me constantly that I have led a wonder-full life, with many friends and opportunities - all because I learned how to sew!
What influences helped to shape my current sewing hobby?
Maybe it was the Disney film Cinderella or the Masterpiece Theater film called House of Eliott. I always wanted clothes designed and sewn by a professional seamstress -quality clothes that flattered my body shape, expressed my individual personality, and imprinted with my personal style. At around age 60, I had to accept the fact that it was not in my destiny to be independently wealthy and hire a seamstress. I would need to add it to my DIY skill set. So far, I am at beginner sewer level. I don't know if I will ever reach seamstress level. For you see, there are so many hobbies and so little time.
My mom got me started, I began when I was in grade school, then moved on to Jr High home ec., where I made a blouse.
after graduating, I went to work at a saddlery and tack store, starting in alterations. I didn't plan to sew for a living, but I was injured and found that the moving and sitting worked out for me. I have learned more and more from each job and now work for a dry cleaner part-time, as a sewing contractor, and have my own private clients. Sometimes I feel that I should be permanently, attached to my sewing machines, and that I never will catch up. Oh and I also want to have an account on etsy! I never seem to find much time to sew my own clothes anymore, I also have a large stash, although to me it is inventory. If mom had realized what she had started, she would be proud.
I found sewing very tedious and unrewarding when I was young but, the prices of toddler clothing had me sewing once I had my daughter. Daughter is now 25 and I still sew occasionally for her.
It's a long story but now I am actually a sewing instructor at a local community college and I love sewing. The process is very calming and I have developed good skills so the end result is usually very satisfying.
I even have a sewing blog http://www.WeSew.blogspot.com
My Godmother gave me a quilt top she had made 40 years earlier. Quilting gave me the courage to venture out to do my own thing in all things sewing.
I am just a hobbyist. My mom used to sew our when I was young and it looked interesting. I wasn't allowed to use the machine so I would sew Barbie clothing by hand until I was older.
I also have an aunt that can sew anything by looking at it. I had a jacket that needed a lining an she just laided it out, used it as a template and cut out a lining that worked perfectly for me, even with some complex detailing and pleating in the back, to sew in the jacket in about 10 minutes.
In junior high and high school I had sewing classes and a wonderful teacher in high school that taught a tailoring class. The first thing I ever bought on credit was a sewing machine in college, even though it took over a year to pay it off.
I started sewingout of desperation. I was too tall for my size from when I was 2.
If it fit, it was way too short. If it was long enough, I walked out of it.
I was taught to sew, and figured o7t how to resyle clothes that were given to me by my mother's friends (they "grew" out of them).
Since then, I stay motivated to to continue to sew in my style, and show others to do the same.
My youthful frustration is now my life's work.
My grandmother taught me to sew and I have been encouraged by my parents to be creative and grow my skills. Being taller than average has kept me sewing clothes so I get the fit and length I want.
Like most people whose childhoods spanned the 1950s, sewing was part of ordinary life, like electric lights and propeller airplanes. My mother sewed for the family, girls were assigned to sewing and cooking classes in 7th and 8th grades, sewing was part of Girl Scout activities. For myself sewing as an important part of daily life was reinforced by my grandfather, a tailor. He sewed for us occasionally (I remember some special outfits for myself and my sister) (My grandmothers sewed, knit, crocheted, and embroidered, so I learned from them also) Until I was a teenage my clothes needed some alterations (shortening mostly). During the mid-1960s ready to wear included Junior Petite sizes, intended for women 5 feet tall at most, which fit me well. By 1968 the sizes were redefined (too long) and miniskirts were in fashion. By then I was married, had a child, and didn't want to wear miniskirts! I bought a sewing machine to sew clothes that fit better. My husband also comes from a family of hard to fit individuals, so our children also needed custom sewn clothes. Eventually I was sewing for husband, and children, as well as myself. I realized how far the family influence had spread when my daughters were in middle school. They were sewing their own skirts by then, wore what they preferred, and a school staffer told them to dress more stylishly! they told me they thought this "clotheshorse" was a fool: her expensive plaid outfit had been poorly sewn and the plaid didn't match across the seams. (their great-grandfather's influence). My first sewing machine was a Singer; when I decided to upgrade I looked at several options. I bought a Viking because that is what Grandfather used. When he retired he gave me his scissors and we sent his sewing machine to my sister. (My daughter still uses the Singer, although it is older than she is) Every time we have moved I have had to locate a fabric store, a yarn shop, and a machine dealer for maintenance. Sewing is as much part of my life in the 21st century as it was almost 70 years ago.