When I was in high school, I was really into "t-shirt surgery" or "reconstructing" clothes, where I'd go to a thrift store, find some cheap but promising article and stitch it into shape. I did this mostly with
vintage t-shirts that were well-worn in all the right places, usually just five sizes too big. There were also some skirts and dresses and occasionally a pair of pants (but that didn't go well...inevitably they'd literally bust at the seams).
But it's been a very long time since I've pulled my sewing machine out. And I'm starting to miss it...
Mostly it's because I haven't been shopping in a very long time, either. I've found that the shopping sprees of post-college still suit me quite well, and since our income has been questionable, I haven't
felt right going shopping for things I am too well aware that I don't need.
But the itch to create and tweak and personalize and transform has been begging for my attention more lately, as I get visions of decorating cardigans with little bouquets of felt flowers or turning a scrap of fabric into a fun belt or dreaming up some high-waisted skirts.
So, I decided to invite a couple girlfriends from church over to a monthly craft night. We'll get together, bring whatever projects we're working on and catch up with each other while catching up on our creative endeavors. I'm really excited about this, and it will be a great motivator for me to scratch this itch of mine. (And to finally get around to #13 on my List of 27 Things To Do While I'm 27: "Undertake a new craft.")
Our first get-together will be next week! In the meantime, I think I'm going to dig through my closet and see what items I discover that are ripe for scratching this nagging itch of mine...
Related Posts
Creating the Artwork for Our Living Room
Recipes for Making Your Own Cosmetics
{ photo }
Oh I wish I could come!!
ReplyDeleteI was the same way in high school...very inventive with my mother's sewing machine and would work up some really special pieces (some I still wear today). But, I haven't had a sewing machine since I moved out of my parents house. I'm hoping for my birthday to be able to buy a sewing machine because I have the same itch. what a great idea to get girls together and do crafty things...the perfect mix.
ReplyDeleteHow fun! Can't wait to see what you end up making. This is a great goal to have on your list!
ReplyDeleteA monthly craft night is a wonderful idea, Carmen! And one I might have to look into starting myself. :) Wish we were close enough to be at the same one!
ReplyDeletethis sounds sooo exciting!! I have no idea how to sew and I really want to learn. I should start my list of things so I can be aware of them and maybe GOD will start putting these desires into alignment?? I love your blog always a blessing :)!
ReplyDeleteOh, thanks ladies! I wish we all lived close enough and could stage a craft night together, too :) That would be fabulous!
ReplyDelete@ Katie - I hope you do plan one! I am really looking forward to ours and hope to update once we have it!
@ Tamara - I bought my sewing machine from Overstock.com and even though I only use it occasionally, I think it was a great investment! It should last quite some time and sure beats trying to hand-sew everything!
I love this! I've been wanting to do similar stuff since I too haven't been on an indulgent shopping spree in quite some time. The only problem is....I don't really know how to sew! Let us know how your "new" clothes turn out :)
ReplyDeleteOh, Krista, I am totally sure you can sew! I don't know how to do anything very advanced but even just a straight seam can do WONDERS, whether it's making your own curtains or hemming a skirt. I know some fabric stores (JoAnn's, Hancock, etc.) offer beginner sewing classes that can be really helpful; one of my best friends took one a couple of years ago and loved it!
ReplyDelete