Learning a new skill this summer — Let’s Sew Together

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Disclosure: I received this book to review. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.
  When my daughter headed to Girl Scout camp, the thing she was most excited about was learning to sew.  Unfortunately she didn’t get to participate in that particular project.  She was so upset about it and asked if I would teach her how to sew.

Hmmm…..that’s a tough question to answer.  My mind instantly visualized my mom’s finished sewing projects and initially I wanted to say, “No. I can’t teach you.”   My sewing skills are quite limited.  Basically, I don’t sew beyond rectangular shapes.  Home ec wasn’t really an enlightening experience for me; I learned to sew on a button but that’s about it.  My mom was a wonderful self-taught seamstress.  She frequently made clothes for us and fully decorated her home with curtains, cushions, and other custom designs.  She often repurposed fabric that she bought at a thrift shop or yard sale and created something brand new from it.  When I was very young, my mom wanted a new outfit but couldn’t afford one.  She took a denim jumpsuit and whip-stitched (ha!) a denim jacket and jeans from it.  It was such an adorable set!  She bought me a sewing machine when I got married in the hopes that I would turn into some domestic goddess while pedaling the thing.  I used it a few times but it’s basically gathering dust in the closet.

After that little flashback, I looked into my daughter’s eager eyes and said, “Yeah.  Yeah, we’ll find some stuff to sew together.”  And then I scuttled off to find a book to help me.  Fast forward to the day Let’s Sew Together arrived in the mailbox.  This book is so colorful and fun that you can’t help but thumb through it, looking for a project to start.  Although the book is supposed to be full of ideas the whole family can sew together, I really think it’s ambitious for a first-timer.  There’s a bit of expectation here that the reader has at least some idea where to start.  It’s probably just the basics for someone who’s already making their own clothes, though.  I like the variety of ideas in the book.  The fabric patterns in the photos are really fun, too, bringing out lots of vintage prints and colors.    The projects also provide a good starting point for inspiration.  They can be easily modified to be more complex or detailed, depending on the needs of the sewer.

I really, really want to do this. I want to teach my kids how to sew their own pillows and tablecloths.  Perhaps they won’t be as intimidated as I am.  Hopefully it will give them the guts to attempt more difficult projects in the future.  So I asked them to choose something from the book that we could try this week.  My daughter selected the stuffed veggies page and said she wants to start there.  We’ll see how it all turns out!

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Comments

  1. Sherry Compton says

    I’m sorry your daughter didn’t get to learn at camp but what an opportunity for the two of you. I’m with you….my mom is get at sewing and quilting; I didn’t get that ability and really haven’t done anything to change that. Good luck to you and your daughter and I hope this turns into bonding time for you both.

  2. Melissa S says

    I loved sewing little projects with my daughter, I got the sewing bug from my mom. I can remember how awed I was at the items she created.

  3. I’d love to be able to give sewing lessons, but zoning I can’t do it at my place, and I don’t have the circumstances to do it some other place. I learned to sew by myself very young, I know that can be hard. What could be ideal is if you two take lessons together. Material is expensive, and one botched project will discourage everyone. Some things aren’t that hard, like a pillow, as long as you don’t expect it to come out too perfect. Have fun, and buy scraps on sale!! that way you don’t feel bad if it isn’t quite right!

  4. I think sewing is something great for kids to learn when they are young. I wish I started to learn how to sew sooner. I am not that great at it and will never be as good as my mom.

  5. Kathryn Mackey says

    I think sewing is becoming a lost art and this is great for kids to learn

  6. Amy Wright says

    I wish that I had learned sewing skills as a kid. Would have helped me out a lot now as a mama 🙂

  7. I’m sewing some curtains this week.

  8. My grand daughter wants to learn to sew too. I think I may have to buy this book. Thank you.

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