Time To Share Sewing Stories. I Would Love To Hear Yours!

2/29/2020

Sewing has been a fulfilling part of my life for many years now! Heartfelt thanks to my Mom for encouraging my endeavors and giving me my first big break.

To my high school home economics teacher Miss Pierce, if you're out there, I owe you many thanks too! You never told me I "couldn't" make something. Even when it was a crazy project you never said that's too hard try something easier, you just smiled and let me muddle my way through, learning valuable lessons along the way.

Here's a video with a short & sweet sewing story about how I started to sew. What a wonderful journey it has been! I've had the opportunity to share the joy of sewing with so many wonderful sewing enthusiasts in so many different places.

Please share your own sewing story in the comments below. How did you start or re-start sewing and who encouraged you along the way? I can't wait to hear the tales you have to tell!

Click the arrow to watch the video!

22 Comments

Joanne

3/1/2020 06:18:19

I took sewing in school and it was nice. I used my mom's machine on and off but it wasn't until I bought my first machine around 21 that I fell in love with sewing. I didn't spend a lot on my first machine as I still didn't how much I would use it. With in a year I traded it in for a higher end machine and I have been sewing ever sense. Love making what I want, in the color and fit I want.

Joanne Banko

3/1/2020 18:10:57

It was great to read your story Joanne! Buying your first sewing machine is definitely a milestone in life. Your sentiments about making what you want, in the color and fit that suits you, are right on target. I like to say that when you sew "you can have what you want, how you want it, when you want it!" Thanks for taking the time to write!

3/1/2020 08:25:31

I hated sewing in seventh grade. I never imagined I would do any later in life but when my daughter was born 50 years ago I started sewing for her. Now I can't imagine a week, sometimes a day when I don't sew. I love quilting and embroidery and my grand-daughter is a competition ice skater so I have made several of her skating out fits.

Joanne Banko

3/1/2020 18:16:52

Hi DJ! That's amazing that your dislike for sewing turned to love later in life! It was so interesting to hear what items make you happy sewing now. I have known several people who sewed skating costumes. That's a real specialty and the end result is stage worthy for sure! It must be so rewarding to watch your granddaughter perform while wearing your creation. I'm so happy you shared your story here :-) Thanks for writing!

Norma Teetsel

3/1/2020 09:32:32

I come from a long line of sewists, 2 Grandmothers, Mother and Step Mom and have learned something from all of them. I started sewing doll clothes on a little plastic, crank up sewing machine when I was in kindergarten, I'm now a senior and have not stopped. Through the years I have continued learning with the help of TV, the Internet and other sewing buddies. My favorite style is garment sewing but I have taught myself in other areas like quilting.

Joanne Banko

3/1/2020 18:21:27

Hello Norma! Wow! You had some great mentors in life, sewing wise. How wonderful! It's so nice to see sewing passed down in the family and shared with those you love. It's great to hear that you are still learning and tying new things. That's part of what makes sewing such a lifelong passion. I really enjoyed hearing your story. Thanks so much for leaving your comments here.

BETTY WILSON

3/1/2020 11:50:01

i began sewing in 1960 because my little daughter was overweight and then it was impossible to find clothes for obese children. she had some beautiful dresses and i have been sewing ever since.

Joanne Banko

3/1/2020 18:25:52

Nice to hear from you Betty! Your story is very meaningful. Sewing for your daughter must have given you both great joy. You must have some precious memories of those garments. It's also good to know that you kept sewing. My, there are so many wonderful things to make in our modern sewing world! Thanks for sharing your story!

Sandee Wicklund

3/1/2020 23:07:22

I was extremely lucky to have a Grandmother across the street who had graduated with a degree in Home Economics. She was so special that each of her 7 grandchildren felt they were special to her. And yet I was the only one that discovered the passion of creating my own fashions. That was further expanded with Flat Pattern and Draping classes at Oregon State university followed by membership in the State Association of Home Economist aka Family and Consumer Sciences. Pati Palmer is an album of OSU and often a speaker at many meetings and actually even the wife of one of my early bosses. Her innovations in fitting haven always inspired me. And the machine embroidery entered the field. Now I have multiple Embroidery machines with the largest hoop. I started teaching customers at my local shop how to use their new machines while my boss provides me with designs for store samples to keep my machines running 6 days a week. That has given me a new passion fore my empty nest years.

Joanne Banko

3/2/2020 14:33:47

Thank you for sharing your story Sandee! You certainly had a great start in sewing. My, what a fantastic opportunity you had to study under industry greats and turn your passion into meaningful work!

I visited your area quite a few years ago and worked at a show in Portland with a patternmaker friend of mine. Patty invited us for dinner at her house, along with a group of sewing instructors and show vendors. We had a fabulous time!

It was so nice to hear from you and know that you are teaching others how to make the most of their machines. I’m sure you are making a big difference in the lives of fellow sewing enthusiasts Keep in touch!

Clovis Perkins

3/1/2020 23:53:30

My mother sewed, but I don't think I was interested. I had sewing in junior high and continued for one or two years in high school. I don't thing I ever sewed on my mother's machine until later in life. I started back sewing when my kids were born. I would make clothes for them and me. I still sew and make other crafts.

Joanne Banko

3/2/2020 18:25:41

Hi Clovis! I loved hearing your sewing story. We traveled similar paths, having sewing in both junior high and high school. It was required in junior high but an elective for me in high school.

Your kids must have some great memories of things you made especially for them. I'm so glad you are still sewing today!

Cristiana

3/2/2020 09:34:48

Great video, and love your story!

Joanne Banko

3/2/2020 18:26:52

Great to hear from you Cristiana!

Brenda Pyle

3/2/2020 17:41:40

I too started to sew doll clothes by hand before 4th grade. Then around 4th grade my mother bought a jumper pattern and fabric that I could sew on the machine and the rest is history. I did make a lot of my high school clothes too. When I had my children I used to take apart clothing to make summer outfits for my girls due to not having much money back then. Grandchildren came along and I started to make blankets quilts and many many bibs and crafts.

Joanne Banko

3/2/2020 18:29:53

You have a wonderful sewing story Brenda! Sounds like you made lots of memories over the years using a needle and thread :-) Thank you for taking the time to write and share your story!!!

Elaine Lasek link

3/3/2020 21:16:30

In 6th grade, my best friend begged me to go with her to sewing lessons at our local Neighborhood Center. After saying ‘no’ several times, I finally gave in and went, thinking that I would have no interest in it. Well,I loved it! At the end of our10-week lesson, we had a fashion show to show off our creations. I made a 2-piece outfit of pants and a vest. The vest was even lined! After that, I continued to make my own clothes and was never afraid to try something hard. Then, I switched gears and started making Raggedy Ann dolls for my little cousins. I had been sewing on my mother’s manual Kenmore machine. I bought my first sewing machine when I was 18. It was a Singer Athena 2000 and I used it for the next 30 years. Although I did take a sewing hiatus for a few years while my kids were in school and sports; but not before making a couple of Halloween costumes for them. But I’m back now, mostly sewing home decor, tote bags, duffle bags, and accessories and gifts. I have since put away my Athena for a brand new Singer sewing machine and serger. I still love to sew, design, and create.

Joanne Banko

5/13/2020 17:18:34

Hi Elaine! It was great to read your sewing story! I was impressed by the fact that you got hooked even though you had no initial interest. Wow, you really took off like a rocket afterwards! It sounds like you have experienced many sewing sucsess stories. Thanks so much for sharing all your experiences :-)

Jaime (The SEWcial Bee) link

3/9/2020 06:53:52

I have been around talented crafty women my whole life. My mom sewed a lot of our clothes as young girls. My grandma was a wonderful seamstress and my other grandma made beautiful quilts by hand. I started my sewing adventure in my early 20’s buying my first machine and never looked back. Sewing is my creative outlet, hobby, cottage business and therapy. My studio is my safe zone and I love sharing my love of sewing through my patterns, sew-a-longs and coffee chats. #happysewing #sewcialbee

Joanne Banko

5/13/2020 17:22:24

Hi Jaime! Thanks for chiming in here and sharing your own personal sewing story. What a delight it must be to come from a family of stitchers! Your talent is known by many, as well as your love for sewing, and sharing that love with the community at large.Thanks for all you do. Happy sewing my friend!

Marilyn soules Fabec

5/12/2020 14:51:12

My mother used to make me broomstick skirts & peasant blouses when I was young.I started to sew for myself on my mother's treadle machine. When the machine broke I continued sewing by hand with a 1/2 back stitch. Decided to take home ec. starting in 7th grade making my clothes. Loved to create one of a kind. Changed over to sewing for my two girls, and than a grandaughter. In 1956 I purchased my first White desk model sewing machine with cams which I used until purchasing my first embroidery machine from Alko in 1988. The rest is history. It was more than my mom making me those skirts & blouses. It was the precious memories and love she taught me in sewing them for me.

Joanne Banko

5/13/2020 17:27:16

What a beautiful sewing story Marilyn! It was wonderful to hear from you!!! I happen to know how talented you are. Your sewing skills and passion for the craft are quite evident in the beautiful things you've made over the years. The tools we have these days sure make it fun and interesting, don't they?!? Happy Sewing and thanks again for sharing your sewing history :-)

Author:

Joanne Banko
Brother Ambassador

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