MY PASSION FOR SEWING

MY PASSION FOR SEWING

By JoAnn Edwards

My first sewing experience began around the age of eight. Like all good little girls of that era, it was expected of us to learn the fine needle arts. Well, my Mother saw to it that I got the proper training in that area. She started me in the "fine art" of making doll clothes. Her routine was to take a nap every afternoon. When she went down for her nap, my sister and I were given scraps of fabric, needle and thread and sent to our room with instructions to be quiet and sew. With no further guidance, we had to figure the rest out on our own.

I can remember exactly how I determined in my little eight-year old mind to start on my project. I smoothed the fabric out on the bed, laid my dolly on it and penciled around the outline of the doll. Now, I had a dress pattern. I proceeded to cut on the pencil line I had drawn. I suppose logic told me to cut two pieces, lay them together and sew. My Mother usually threaded the first needle for us. If we used more than one needle of thread, we had to thread the second one ourselves.

As I began to sew, I would well up with pride at what I was accomplishing. Sometimes, I would get frustrated because my thread would get all tangled. At other times, I inadvertently sewed to my clothes or to the quilt on the bed and had to cut it loose and start all over. When finally finished, I was excited that my dolly was going to have a new dress. But much to my dismay, It always seemed to be a size too small. It took me a long time to realize what the problem was. No one had told me that I needed to add a seam allowance.

As I grew into a teen-ager and started to high school, I knew I wanted to take a home economics class so I could get in more sewing time. But all we were doing in class was making an apron. That didn't get it with me. I wanted more of a challenge. So I began making a lined, light-weight wool suit at home. When I was finished, I took the suit to class to show the teacher. She didn't believe I made it. I remember wearing the suit for Easter that year. I loved that suit and remember it vividly. It was a coral color.

I got married just out of high school. A teen-age bride like most girls were back then. We started raising a family right away. The first year we were married, I asked my husband for a sewing machine and as they say, "the rest is history." Many hours were spent making clothes for the children and the left-over scraps were turned into quilts for our beds. I can still see in my minds eye some of the fabric that I purchased for three yards for one dollar. Oh, those were the days.

By the way, it has been forty-seven years since I asked for that first sewing machine and I still have it. It is in working condition, although I never use it. It sits as a shrine to my many happy days of sewing. I can't bear to part with it. Since the purchase of that first sewing machine, several other "latest and greatest" models were bought which I put to good use. Of course, when home sergers became popular, one found its way into my sewing room. Yes, one room in my house is now devoted to my "sewing stuff." It is beyond me how a household can function without a sewing machine.

With a little help from time and maturity, my sewing skills became excellent, if I do say so myself. Years of sewing for the public brought pleasure and profit. My ability to sew was displayed in wedding attire, cheerleading uniforms and every imaginable dress and casual garment. At one time, I became interested in tailoring, making my husband's suits and sport coats. Who knew that little doll dress would take me that far in the art of sewing.

I'm sure my Mother had no idea she was pointing my sister and me in the direction of fine needle arts. All she wanted was for us to be quiet so she could nap. But we have both developed an excellence in sewing. Since becoming a senior citizen, I now do what I call "fun sewing." That means I only sew what I can have fun with such as my volunteer sewing and making quilts. Sewing is my hobby, my entertainment, my therapy and most definitly my passion.