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.

I have always considered making my own things to be a valuable protest against unchecked consumerism. Not only does making require a bit of planning, thoughtfulness, and slowing down, but the very act of doing something consciously rather than succumbing to the ease of ‘click and ship’ helps me to be in choice, rather than living by default. Even if I do choose to buy something I could make, I know I've made a choice instead of living by a cultural default.

Building on the theme of practice; I believe anything can be a practice, a spell, a mindfulness exercise, a prayer. The difference between doing something and experiencing that same thing as a practice is the intention put into it. I love practicing sewing because I always learn something new (yes, me!) and I keep getting happier with the results the longer I practice What really turned my get-to-the-finish-line mentality around when it comes to sewing was really starting to do it for the process.