Let’s get back to what I don’t know. It is true, in addition to celebrating linens and place settings (ah, and a marriage milestone, of course), I have been feverishly chipping away at my craft inhibitions. It seems I can choose a stunning tablecloth, but can I make one?
Um, no. Not yet at least. But I sure as hell can destroy quality fabric and choke up a Signer (or Janome) sewing machine in a flash.
Etsy Labs once again hosted Craft Night at its new post in DUMBO, Brooklyn. The topic: handmade drawstring bags, an eco-friendly alternative to the plastic bag epidemic. I’m a firm believer that plastic bags are the devil, so I was pleased to plop my butt in front of a sewing machine to double-handedly save our plasticizing planet.
Turns out that the sewing machine is the devil encased in an angelic white shell, hungry and seething for overzealous do-gooders that look a lot like me. Press that pedal and have a go at taming the chomping acceleration Bummm, bumm, bum, BUM! of the beast yourself. As for me, fewer than 10 seconds against the Janome and my gingham was mulched and wedged in its fangs. Then it went to sleep OR, gulp, I broke it! Here’s the tale of my little tragedy.
Remind you of the first time you put your hand to something unfamiliar?
A Sewing Sojourn – Minute by Minute Account
5:10 PM
Shortly after arriving at Etsy Labs, I successfully suffocate one sewing machine.
5:11 PM
Turn attention to learning handout on how-tos of sewing a bag. Realize diagrams are a tad boring. Where’s the color?! I need some real visuals. Ehhhhhhh!
5:15 PM
Measure fabric with nearby ruler to pass time and to appear officially craft smart.
5:18 PM
Redirect energy to resuscitating lifeless machine. Gulp in deep breaths of courage and calm, not allowing embarrassment or fear to trip up confidence.
5:25 PM
Photo from Etsy’s Flickr page. Not surprising to see that in many of the pictures, you can find me in the background (limey cardigan, short brown hair) receiving friendly tutorials by fellow crafters.
Issue still at hand: There’s this errant brown thread attached to a spool on top of machine. I know it needs to go through eye of needle, but where it goes from beginning to end is a complete mystery. Julie!!!!! (Julie, an Etsy employee and craft queen, seems to wear many hats. I’ve had several run ins with her at craft events around New York. She responds to the multitude of emails I send to Etsy as well. Wouldn’t be surprised if the emails are mind numbing, especially the latest edition on whether Etsy has felting needles available.)
Julie can’t help. She’s running Etsy’s Virtual Labs for the at-home crafters. Consult the manual? We all know how well I do with instructions.
5:40 PM
There are so many places the little thread could go. Another deep breath leads to rational thinking. If I built this machine, how would I put it together?A simple question, yet it lifted the shroud of frustration and doubt looming overhead. I was free to let my mind play without restriction or self judgment. The puzzle pieces started to come together, the thread began to slowly wind its way across, down, up, and down again. Finally.
6:10 PM
I hold in my hand a flimsy, crooked-stitched brown gingham sac that, although defective, I exhibit with pride. Handmade with my own brand of persistence, I believe my creation is ready to sell on Etsy. Ok, that was before I took a second look.
Any tips on how you crafted your way through a difficult, uncomfortable situation?
10 Responses to “Sew Not Happening”
Do you have a picture of your finished product?
I learned how to sew when in school at age 11. I learned how to drive a stick shift much later in life. I have come to the conclusion that it’s way easier to learn stuff when you’re a kid.
The only advice I can give you will also get you to Carnegie Hall: practice, practice, practice. You’ll be running that bad boy like a pro in no time.
(Who reads manuals?)
You sound suspiciously like your grandmother, my mother, who feared the beast. Maybe sewing won’t be your “thing”. Writing may be! You are a hoot.
@Kim Don’t know if you want to see it, but if you click on the Flickr link above you’ll see me posing with another woman, holding the final “product.” Look on the third row down, first picture. And, by the way, that’s not a very becoming photo;-)
@Stacey I do see that I’m making a dent in my uncraftiness through dint of hard work. That’s what makes crafting worth my emotional and physical time. I, however, have always feared this result: What if I practice, practice,practice but NEVER show any real skill? Who REALLY wants to KNOW what they’re not good at? Well, I guess I do, but that’s because I made myself.
Really? I had no idea grandma loathed sewing so much! It’s funny I’m like her despite having never known her.
I hear you made some amazing, stylish clothes as a young woman attending Smith college. Do you have pictures of that animal print raincoat and matching head band you’ve cooed about? I’m sure it channeled the ’60’s while still being totally classic, right?;-)
Thanks for showing me multiple times how to hem my pants. No thanks to me for not really paying attention. I guess at that age, I never thought I’d desire to know how to take care of myself in that way.
Always thought I could just purchase a new pair. Not very prudent. . .
no joke: last night i looked at my pants and i wished i could hem!!!! i even wished i had a needle and thread–and to top it all off, i wish i could use a sewing machine!! thus, i loved your struggle w/the machine, b/c i might show up to your door w/my pants that are too long.
I really want to learn how to sew. I got on a kick in college, where I asked for a sewing machine and planned to make myself a bunch of new skirts. How hard can skirts be, right? Well, really hard when you can’t even thread the needle! It’s on my list of things to learn…right after I pick off the the list of things I can already do but am ignoring – knitting, crocheting, reading, personal grooming, exercising. ;-)
@Neville Starting out, I too feel that there are so many steps to perfecting sewing. First, you need to learn how to stitch manually, which (I believe) is how you should hem your pants. After that, you need to get familiar with the machine, a whole new ball game as far as I’m concerned.
And, it’s hard to have a steady hand when you’re a Nervous Nellie with the needle.
@LZ You can crochet? You’re well ahead of me!
I was on the subway a few months ago when I noticed a woman crocheting the cutest infant’s cap. I slid over next to her, swear she thought I was going to rob her at first, and asked her for a tutorial! So glad I did because she was a lovely woman, not to mention she taught me a thing or two about this fine craft. Namely, that knitting differs from crocheting in that it uses ONE needle, not two. Sure you knew that, though;-)
Maybe you can try crocheting while doing the elliptical? That would be some crafty cardio if you can finesse that. . .
Like Stacey said, it really does take practice. I’ve had LOTS of sewing mishaps in my time. I still look at my sewing machine manual a lot. I also own a serger, which I inherited a few years ago, but I’m afraid to touch it. That thing is scary! My best advice to you is to get some fabric, fold it over a few times so that you’re not sewing a single layer, then practice sewing straight lines. Simple enough, right?
But did we not have fun that night? I sewed up two bags in no time and yes they did look like someone just dragged them out of a dog’s mouth. You were very patient and focused while I was roaming like a maniac. Either way I love it.