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Another grand/great grandmother

sewforit | Posted in Gather For A Chat on

Was reading the notes from us older generation and I’m not going to be a rocking chair retirerie.  I guess that is how you would spell that.    I’m 78 and starting a small home business in sewing and I’m loving it.  I want to mend and sew for care centers that need things mended for them and/or necessary items.  Clothes for myself and daughter.  I learned some sewing from my mother who made my clothes during the depression but I didn’t get really into sewing until after I was married and now since I’m a widow, big time. 

It is hard to find patterns for us older women, especially our changed shapes.  It is a challenge but I buy every book I can find that is good for altering patterns.  Also the American Sewing Guild is great to help out. 

I do a lot of crocheting and working with our Missions group at church with sewing and items for different charities.  I have a knitting machine which I’m not using now that I loved working with and made a lot of Barbie clothes and my sweaters.  It’s mostly sewing and crocheting now.

 

Replies

  1. Crazy K | | #1

    Welcome!  It sounds like you, like many of us, intend to stay busy during your golden years!  Good for you!  There are so many places that can use your talents and it gives you pleasure, too.

     

    1. sewforit | | #2

      This messaging is new to me and I'm beginning to enjoy it.  The problem now in my life is finding time to do all that I want to do.  I still like to relax and watch "some" TV shows with my daughter and dog by my side.   

      1. Crazy K | | #3

        Oh how true.  I have many things floating around the gray matter but there just aren't enough hours (awake hours anyway!) to do everything I want to do.  The forums do take time but are so enjoyable and I've learned lots, too........altho summer re-runs on TV do give me a little more 'puter time! ha ha  I should be spending this time at the sewing machine though!!

        Kay

  2. Lazybug | | #4

    My eye stopped at the "great-grandmother" post because I just found out on Sunday that I am finally going to be a great-grandmother. What a thrill! I am 79.
    I remember the day my Mother became a great-grandmother she went out and bought herself a big bouquet of tulips -- rare flowers in the desert. What is means for me is my sewing will take a new tack -- infant/baby things, which I will enjoy. I stay active with non-credit courses through Uof A, church, Am.Sewing Guild, and travel. I'm not one of these miraculous women I see photographed on AARP magazine covers, but I do stay happy and busy, thanks to my beloved hobby of sewing.

    Joanne

    1. SewFit | | #6

      You go girl! 

      1. Lazybug | | #8

        Thanks for the messages of good cheer. It warmed my heart to read them.We are all so fortunate to have a "growing" hobby of sewing. When I bought my Bernina Artista plus embroidery module, after using a Singer Touch and Sew for so many years, the learning curve was pretty stiff.
        Plus there is always something new coming down the road for us to learn.
        Or something old we've not tried. Despite the ripped stitches, its all fun!Joanne

        1. Mo_in_MO | | #9

          Hi, Just a word as a grandmother.  My oldest grands will be  high school seniors this year and the rest are starting high.  Then college and maybe ggkids in the coming future.  I taught french hand sewing and hand smocking for years when they were young so still have baby things I made as samples & put away for the next generation.  I love my Bernina Artista also and put my embroidery module to full use.  Right now I am making embroidered purses to go with my art quilt wearable clothing for a fashion show at our large( 300+ member) Quilt guild  show in September. I look at learning to sew like teaching some one to fish and they will never go hungry.  You will have a wonderful creative life when you learn to sew. Right now with the new machines, embroidery, computers and software, internet groups and on line stores, we have it all.  I also find Vogue's Today's Fit Patterns by Sandra Betzine are designed for the more mature figure with more ease where we need it.  Her books on pattern adjustments are also very good.  I use her basic patterns and just change some of the styles and get ample ease in the middle where I now need it.Lol.

          1. sewforit | | #10

            Thanks for the info on Sanda Betzine's patterns.  Both my daughter and I are in the mature figure look plus the weight problem. 

            A tip:  We have so many patterns that I bought a large 3" binder, filed the pattern envelope by number in a plastic protector and typed an index sheet with the info. needed, especially which one it was for.  Then I keep the rest of the patterns in pockets hanging on the door with the pattern No. in view.  We keep our slopers in a plastic bag with the contents info.  on the outside.  I have to find another way to keep those handy.  The pockets for the patterns sometimes aren't large enough to also hold the slopers.  My sewing space is getting smaller all the time, but I love it. 

            My oldest great grandson just turned 13.  No gg daughters and none in the future to sew for.  I had to make Barbie and American Girl dresses for craft sales as no young girls in the family to make them for.

          2. Lazybug | | #12

            Your oldest great-grandson is 13? Impressive.
            I'm so excited to be having just ONE (G) But oh what a sweet moment it is to think upon.Joanne

        2. sewhappy123 | | #11

          I agree with you. I just can't learn it all fast enough and start to worry that my eyes or something won't last long enough. So I try to hurry up and read everything and etc. to learn it so I can sew it or embroider it or knit or crochet it. LOL. But your right, it is soo much fun.

  3. sewhappy123 | | #5

    Hi, I am kinda new to this posting thing and to the sewing site. I just signed up last week. I am not in my 70s but I am 56 and going to be 57 soon. I am glad to see older people here. I know what you mean about our bodies though. I have had many surgeries and my kids were cecerian. Hard for the body to stand up after that. I just resently taught myself to sew some things and I also tought myself to Knit and crochet which I also love. I have made everything from blankets to purses and some inbetween things. But I would still say I am a beginner. I am very interested in fashion and maiking clothes for myself and my grandkids. I am just now learning to read a pattern. I think if I stay as excited about sewing as I am now, I will be just like you in my 70s and that is a great thing to look forward too. Thank you for your post.

    1. rodezzy | | #7

      Good deal, learning new stuff is fun.  I'm always reading and looking through all kinds of craft, sewing, knitting and crochet stuff.  TV, books, DVDs, videos.  So, keep learning and stary happy.  It's addicting and fun.  I don't make have the stuff I've checked off to make, but I've done enough to keep me and others happy.

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