Hello from a novice

[Jan Thames]

Hello and thank you for allowing me to join your group. I have been sewing on and off since my twenties but I still consider myself a novice. I like to try new things and now that I am nearing retirement I have been thinking of brushing up my on sewing. I get asked to make alterations to curtains and to shorten dresses and trousers so I would be good to improve so that I don't have to shop for clothing again and make all my own in time. I love craft especially crochet and knitting and I have recently started making more for friends and family.

[LeapFrog Libby]

Welcome. We are glad you are here. I am 82 and retired for more than 16 years. I love simple sewingand most all crafts. I have a janomeMemory craft 4000,a Baby lock Lauren serger (simple 4 thread serger), and a coverstitch machine for hemming knits. I sew for myself and some charitible stuff. Mosly for the military through USO donations. I ew what I want to sew when I want to do it.. LL No customers to bow down to or anything like that. I like to sew, but If my mood is not right , I can ruin something in a hurry, thus no custmers by my choice.

[sewingmom]

Jan, I also am a novice, though I have sewn since a girl. My dream was/ to do alterations and sewing for those who need special accommodations due to for various deformities. I guess God has other plans for me though because my husband became ill 3.5 years ago and most of my time is devoted to him. I still love reading about the sewing endeavors of others and look forward to your posts. Welcome
Belinda/Lindy

[Jan Thames]

Thank you for the lovely welcome.

[sewingrandma]

Welcome Jan. I've been sewing since I was about 7. Sewed most of my clothes in my teens, took a break and started sewing again when I had children, making mine, theirs, and some of DH's clothing and stopping when the kids lost interest in wearing something homemade. I took another break until DH retired and started sewing my uniforms then the grandkids started coming along and haven't stopped since. Most of my sewing now is for charity. I have several Viking sewing machines, a basic serger and a coverstitch machine and they all get a workout when I am sewing. I'm with Libby, I don't sew for paying customers. I too can ruin a project if I'm tired or if I'm not in the mood to sew. The harder I try to get things right the more of a mess I make so after years of trying to sew when tired or not in the mood I have finally learned to just wait until I'm rested and in the mood. Makes for easier sewing.

[MartySews2]

Hi Jan,
For the past 50+ years I have sewn my clothing. Started out pattern drafting for doll clothes using newspaper. I used needles and thread to stitch them up. At age 11, in 7th grade Jr High, I started sewing my own clothing on the school's sewing machine. I took sewing in Home Ec from 7th grade thru 12th grade. I would switch to business courses instead of cooking classes. While I can cook, I don't enjoy it. I am now retired and sew primarily for others as a gift of service plus for myself and family members. I have 5 Babylock machines including 2 sergers. I sew or read about sewing every day. I challenge myself each year to learn something new or to improve on a skill. I do some custom work for special occasions (wedding gowns, baptismal outfits, suits, etc). Sewing is just part of my lifestyle. Now that my daughter has entered the ministry, I sew various paraments, clothing, clerical stoles, etc for her. It keeps me busy.
Marty