Old Sweetwater

Old Sweetwater

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Sew What!


I'm not a "seamstress extraordinaire"...like one of my friends. I have made hundreds of draperies and curtains for myself, as well as professionally.  However, she made her daughter's wedding gown that took everyone's breath away.  She is GIFTED.
And I adore fabric!  I REALLY adore fabric.
I like looking at and buying thread.  Spools are cool!  In fact, I bought my first 100% silk thread this last year...holy moley, that stuff makes applique so easy!
I'll admit I feel "hoity-toity" because i have two leather thimbles.  
I can spend a long time perusing through all sorts of sewing paraphernalia, including sewing patterns.
So to celebrate all of us who fall in between being great at sewing and those who may simply appreciate it, i made this collage.
Are you great, good, fair or not even interested? p.s. the thimble isn't mine *sigh*

33 comments:

Becky Garrison said...

My sewing skills are mediocre at best, but like you I love fabric and thread and the idea of sewing. I love the remnant bin and frequently buy small pieces of fabrics for crafting projects. Oddly enough, most of my sewing of late has been done on paper in the making of my greeting cards.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

I can sew, I learned growing up in 4-h and from my Mom, but I am not great at it. I do like your collage, very creative ideas!
Cindy

Lucy said...

Yes, I'm with you. Likely sewed a thousand things in my life, but certainly not an expert. Adore running fabric through my fingers and that smell inside the sewing department, but would still wish for the patience to become an expert.

LINDA BYLSMA said...

You are gifted in the pictures you take and the way you display them. This would make anyone want to sew.
I have my fraternal grandfathers tailoring scissors and a pair of antique silver scissors that were my maternal grandmother's. I want to mount them in a shadow box with a sewing collage for a back drop.

Tanna said...

I'm just gettting back into sewing some myself. About to tackle some projects around here... but, I didn't even know there were leather thimbles... so, that places me as a rank amateur!! I do love the different fabrics! Going to have to check out the silk thread.

Andrea said...

I am not very good at it...
andrea

Sylvia said...

Beautiful collage, Janean !
I'm not great in sewing, but I also love fabric, ... old ribbon and lace.

Have a nice weekend,
Sylvia

vintage girl at heart said...

I can barely sew at all but one of my favorite things to collect are old sewing notions. They are the first thing I make a beeline for at Estate Sales, garage sales etc...!!!
I love when I find it all in sewing box or basket too.. I buy the whold kit and kaboodle then bring it all home and sort through my treasures!!!
I heart that thimble!!!
Blessings!

Lorilee said...

I love fabric too! I love to wander through the aisles of fabric stores looking and touching the fabric. I also love paper stamps and punches, but I don't scrapbook.
Blessings,
Lorilee

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Thank you for the lovely collage!

I never progressed beyond Jiffy patterns for sewing.

But my Mother made my wedding gown, among many items of clothing for me. So, I appreciate the art of sewing.

:-)

Jayme Goffin, The Coop Keeper said...

I love love love love love sewing paraphernalia! I have my moms old brass thimble, and I adore it. I can still see her sewing with it, she used it for everything. I used to be a fabric-a-holic, but I've tamed my ways and now only buy it if I know exactly what I'll do with it. I have one of those 'gifted' friends that made my sister's wedding gown, and all of my bridesmaid's gowns. Incredible. Love your photos!

deb said...

i don't sew, but we have a machine that my ex-offensive lineman husband has been known to pull out of the closet on occasion and use.

dj

Oklahoma Granny said...

I do ok in the sewing department. I always enjoyed making things for my daughter as she was growing up and I did make her wedding dress although she isn't a ruffles-and-lace type person so it wasn't all that difficult.

Sarah said...

I love to do handwork, but sewing machines and I don't do well together except for small straight seams. I admire anyone who does. I do love fabrics though and also sewing related items. I've collected small scissors for years, some old and some new. They are amazing little pieces of art. I need to share them on a post sometime soon. Love your collage and that thimble is too cute. Thanks for sharing. Hope you'll stop by for a visit. I'm sharing chocolates today. ~ Sarah

Flat Creek Farm said...

I'm a "fair" seamstress at best. Depending on the project, I really enjoy it though. In fact, I vow to find time to sew in the next couple of days. Love your collage! -Tammy

Kathleen Grace said...

I'm pretty good and learning all the time. I love all things sewing too. I just bought a thread organizer and was a little surprised at how much thread I really had!

barefootinthesand said...

I am intrigued by sewing and those who do it well! I would LIKE to learn. Love the collage!

KTW said...

I can't use a pattern to save my life but I CAN make simple things like valances, pillows, table cloths and napkins, etc. I have a wonderful sewing machine that hasn't been out of the closet in probably 5 years, except for when I'm cleaning in there. And I don't really have the desire to make clothing or anything like that. But one of my guilty pleasures is FABRIC. I love love LOVE fabric! I can shop for fabric for hours! I even have a decent little stash here at home and I have no idea what I'll end up doing with it, but someday I'm sure I'll come up with something! :)

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

I don't even sew on buttons! Hubby does!

I do basic crochet of shawls for our church's shawl ministry.

Wish I was gifted in the sewing/arts & crafts area, but I have a genetic defect and you don't want to see the results! LOL!

caroline joy said...

I am an admitted "fabric-aholic". I am a self taught sewer and do mostly home furnishings (and aprons). I am confident when I sew for myself, but sooooo much more critical of my skills when it is for other people. My new fun thing now is finding "new" ways to use older fabrics/linens. I make my aprons from recycled vintage sheets.

Donna said...

I am self-taught on the machine, so I am average at best in that venue. Handsewing is another thing! I can do lots of embroidery, so I would saw I am pretty darn good at handwork!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I don't sew but my grandfather was a tailor back in the day. This mosiac is beautiful, excellent example of the treasures of a seamstress!

Andrea said...

I really can't sew, although I have tried quilting some, because like you, I LOVE fabric!
My main thing is needlework, cross sttch mainly, it's what I'm best at :-)
My hubby used to think that since I did needlework, I'd love to darn his socks or hem his pants. But after 28 years together, he's finally learned that no, I am no a seamstress, lol!
Poor thing.

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

I Do love handsewing. I get really frustrated at machine sewing, but I love the soothing repetion of hand sewing. I especially like applique because it is not geometric and I suck at geometry!lol I will be taking a needlepoint kit on the cruise "C" and I are taking later this month--it's a called "Vintage Cherries" and I just hope I can catch on. I also love rug hooking (not latch hook), but the antique kind. I have both of my paternal great-grandmother's real gold thimbles which I think is wonderful! I'm loving all that copper on your previous post! V.

Cora said...

Beautiful collage....I like to sew simple and easy things. Nothing that takes very long or complicated.

Debra@CommonGround said...

ohhh, just in the fair catgory. It's not my first love, and I'm wanting new kitchen curtains, so I'm going to have to break down at some point and "just do it"! LOL! Wow, you ARE cool, leather thimbles!
hugs,
Debra

I Purr-Furr to Craft said...

a really lovely collage,
I love to make toys, i love fabric and sewing i think i am a basic sewer.

Brenda said...

I think I would fall into the good category. I am certainly no seamstress. I cannot alter patterns or do any type of alterations and I prefer to do crafty sewing or machine piece quilts. But I would love to have more time at it, I think I would improve with more practice. I'm not sure if I have made it by to thank you for your sweet comment and well wishes for hubs healing. He has surgery on Monday.

SueWis said...

Thanks to my grandmother, I love love love sewing and could probably sew just about anything you could think of. I have a metal thimble that was hers that is actually formed to her finger and not round any more.

Love the collage and all things sewing. :)

Lillian Robinson said...

I'm not an expert seamstress but I did sew my BF's wedding gown. It wasn't a beaded masterpiece. I also made my daughter's headpiece and veil/train with lace and appliques. I made most of my daughter's clothes when she was a toddler. It thrills me when I can create something that makes someone else smile.

BellaRosa said...

What a great post...I must confess..I have a brandnew sewing machine still siting in the box for over 4 years :) But I have a HUGE love for vintage sewing things because of my Ita (grandma) I have her beautiful antique sewing machine and all her precious sewing pieces and lil bits...so although i might not be able to sew...I have some beautiful sewing treasures just incase one day...I learn :) I love your blog, your posts are lovely as are your ideas and recipes :) Besos, Rose

Rita said...

Oh Janean, I love your collage! And that thimble! Oh my, wish it were yours! My grandmother taught me to sew when I was a very young girl. She started me out teaching me to make doll clothes. By the time I was 14 (I was tall) I was making a lot of my clothes. I don't do a lot of sewing anymore, but have always loved it.

Laurie said...

Love the collage! I have been sewing since I was little and I love it! Fabric has always had a special place in my heart :0), I even work in a quilt shop!