One: Sewing is Connection
Sewing is Magic is a four-week journey into making your own magic with a sewing machine. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or you’d like to refresh your knowledge of the basics, this class will give you the foundation to make anything your heart desires!
This blog post series is a pre-course correspondence leading into the Sewing is Magic Course. Interested in learning more or joining? Click here!
Sewing is Connection
Sewing is connection - it's a literal connection of textiles to one another with thread, and it's also the metaphorical connection of ourselves to one another, our ancestors, and the material world.
Everybody’s ancestors had a sewing practice, whether it was making clothes, mending, creating bags to carry food, or creating useful linens to serve around the home. Sewing has always been a utilitarian skill. When we trace our ancestry back far enough in history, we learn that the very homes they lived in were handmade from hides and woven textiles. There's so much beauty in the practical. My hope is through these weeks together, you will start to feel connected to your ancestors during the process of making; to see yourself in a historical context as well as feel the love and support of your family line running through you as you take your place, stitched into the fabric of life.
As we get ready to learn to sew, it's easy to forget the basics, because all that's possible is simply too exciting to set aside. I encourage you to absolutely stoke your excitement for making things in the future, while at the same time s l o w i n g down to really feel your ancestors' blood flowing through your body.
Your first homework starts today
I'd like to invite you to start now. Writing in your notebook - ask family, or do a little independent research about your ancestral practices. If you can't ask anyone directly, maybe look into regional cultural craft practices. It can be really lovely to start to connect with the traditions of your family and your culture before we get started.
Sewing is a skill. It's not a talent you're born with. It's a practice with the opportunity for connection to the present moment. With skill-building in mind, let's talk about the tools you will need for this adventure:
A Sewing Machine in Good Working Order
I would first check the closets of grandmothers and aunties or ask neighbors to check theirs. Then, see if your local library offers machines for check out. Some library systems have sturdy machines that you can borrow for a couple weeks at a time. Borrowing a machine is a great way to try before you buy. If those don’t pan out, check online marketplaces for a used Viking or Janome sewing machine. It's almost always better to get a used machine than a new one, if you can find it. The point here is solid and reliable, not fancy. If you absolutely have to get a new one, you can’t go wrong with a brother project runway edition, a basic Janome, Juki, or Eversewn (by Bernina). Please reach out if you would like feedback on a purchase. I'm happy to cheer you on.
Features to look for: adjustable speed foot control, adjustable presser foot pressure, straight and zig zag stitch options. My daughter says try to get one with a built-in needle threader.
Sewing needles
If you can find a multi-pack of needles with both Universal and Ball point needles - get that. If not, a package of Universal 80/12 needles will be great for the purpose of this course.
Thread
Thread disintegrates over time. Those beautiful spools on display in an antique store or the family cedar chest will make machine sewing very unpleasant. I recommend getting at least white and black sewing machine thread. Coats and Clark Dual Duty and Gutermann are good an durable for machine sewing and readily available. If you can get your hands on more colors via a multi-pack - please do. It's fun to sew with colorful thread!
Good Scissors
There are a LOT of good brands of scissors on the market these days. I'd advise getting something new for this course, or getting an older tool sharpened. You can absolutely use paper scissors to cut fabric. Contrary to my mother's insistence that paper dulls fabric scissors, it's the other way around, it's fabric that dulls the scissors. Paper scissors are fine. Kitchen shears on the other hand, will not be suitable for cutting fabric.
Pins or clips
Our projects will grow in size and complexity over the weeks, so it will be good to have some pins or sewing clips on hand for longer seams. Nothing special is necessary. Old pins work great as long as they are not rusty or bent. You only need about 10-20 at any given time, so there's no need to buy a huge package.
Marking tool
Tailor's chalk, a pilot frixion pen or other disappearing ink, or any other marking tool made for sewing is going to be fine.
Rulers
Sewing requires measuring. Please get yourself a 2"x18" C-Thru ruler if you can. If you can get a measuring tape as well, that would be great.
Iron and Ironing surface
What's the best way to make your projects look amazing? Use an iron. I'd say it's the most important tool after a decent sewing machine and scissors. There is no need to buy a fancy new iron. As long as the one you have works, you're fine. If your iron has steam, that's great. If not, get yourself a spray bottle. If you have a dedicated sewing space, an ironing board is nice to have. If not, you can get a mini-board from Ikea or Target, or a roll-up ironing surface to protect your table from a fabric store or online.
Fabric
The projects we're making in this class can all be made with old sheets from your own house or from a thrift store for the practice run. If you really want to buy fabric, I advise getting some linen or cotton that makes you happy to look at and touch.
Notebook
Whether it's paper or digital, you're going to want to take notes. Everything you think you will remember will be gone the next time you sit at the machine. You're learning something completely new, and your brain needs to be completely available for that task! Our poor little brains can catch a break when we write down insights, questions, and ideas instead of cluttering up our thinking space.
Please reach out if you have any questions about supplies or anything else. I'd love to spend time with you in this course next month. Click the button to learn more and sign up if you're ready!
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