How Has Sewing Positively Impacted Your Life?

For me, sewing started as a way to flex a creative muscle, and as a way of sewing vintage styles in my size but of course has become so much more than that. 

I have found a community, I am so much more confident taking to you guys about sewing than I am in almost all other areas of my life. I've made friends, connections and I would never want that to change. So of course, having made this my business sewing is an absolute integral part of my life now.

I also think if I didn't sew over the last 10 years when I have seen a lot of changes to my body shape and size I just know I would have struggled to find clothes in the shops and would have placed the blame on me and my body. But because of this amazing community I know how rare it is for any of us to fit into a straight size. 

I started sewing again in 2007 (after a 20 year hiatus). It was my way of coping with the stress of a full-time job, a family, a home and sick parents. Sewing was a way to slow my mind down and take time for myself.

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 it helped to take my mind off the many hospital visits and the treatment. I think it also helped my recovery as it was something completely different to focus on.

I took early retirement in December 2021 and now I just enjoy being creative.

I used to sew a lot before I was married and initially when I had young children, but my husband resented my time spent doing it, and it was placed on the back burner.

However, having lost my husband to cancer 4 years ago, I couldn't face doing the pointed pen calligraphy I was doing then, but I needed a new direction to fill the void in my life. My daughter suggested I go back to sewing. After nearly 30 years, a new machine was needed and I found myself going down many rabbit holes with all the new technology and techniques that had developed, but I've loved my journey with it. I started with quilts and then had the courage to make bags and finally clothes. I also do sashiko stitching as a mindful way to relax and destress after work.

A housemate introduced me to sewing and helped me sew my wedding dress. I sewed on and off for a few years. Made a few items when my children were small. Then had a huge gap of years! Until lockdown. I started again in lockdown the greatest discovery for me to motivate me were the SewHayleyJane subscription boxes. I have had a bit of a long gap recently due to arthritis. Yesterday I went on a one day overlocker workshop at 'Goodstitch Goring' and made a top which really gave me a boast. A lovely tutorial in a small group. 

I absolutely love sewing. For me, it's time to completely switch off from everything else that's going on. I find that even just half an hour sewing, with my headphones in listening to music really helps me feel calm - even when I'm reaching for the unpicker! 
I find it hard to sit and do nothing, so being able to create something with my hands is really enjoyable and for me it's restful.
I also love making clothes that I like, and that fit me! 

I came back to sewing a year or so before I retired, because I wanted to establish a creative hobby, knowing that I would have time for it when I retired. My daughter had got into sewing, and I was inspired by her.

At first I found it quite stressful - previously I had used a machine that often let me down, and, even though this time around I'd invested in a good quality machine, I think I still expected it to cause issues!

But it didn't take long, and now it is an absolute joy. My sewing space is calm, peaceful and happy. I'm finding I'm wearing more and more clothes that I have made and loving it! I have been retired nearly 2 years now,  and sewing is a great, creative way to spend some of my time. 

I'm hoping sometime in the future to be able to share some of my skills and enjoyment with others, which would be amazing!

As one with both an extensive physical disability and a chronic illness, I find it hard sometimes to "justify my own existence" as a former man of action that can no longer hold down any kind of regular job. Sewing, along with the other making crafts I've taken on, gives me a tangible skill set to apply towards actually producing something physical and useful that can benefit someone else. I'm not sure I could ever find the words to properly convey how important that ability has become to me.

My mum bought me a sewing machine in my 20s which gathered dust under my bed for years, but one day I found a copy of AllWell Workshop's "how to sew clothes" - it was less that I was inspired, but I finally decided that I was ready to make mistakes if it meant starting with something fun (clothes) rather than something which felt like drudgery (tea towels and pillow cases!).

That willingness to learn and fail set me on a path to actually learn and grow my skills, and I'm still sewing years later. I couldn't have imagined that what seemed like "just another hobby" when I started would overturn for the better my sense of self worth, how I feel about my body, and fill my days with something that feels substantial and important. I've even made clothes for my partner, friends and family. I couldn't have imagined trusting in my ability enough to do that without being embarrassed about what I had made not being good enough, but even when u make mistakes im so proud of what I'm able to do now. 

I've not really had any long term goals in life since I was a kid but now I dream about having a house with a bright sewing workspace, and maybe even one day starting a business about something I'm passionate about - it's been a long time since I had dreams that big, and I love it!