They can skate, I will sew

I've always been a bit of a tomboy; I grew up with just my dad and two brothers- all of whom spent their free time skateboarding, spearfishing, bridge jumping, wakeboarding, etc. I didn’t play with dolls, and I assuredly never sat down to draw or do any arts and crafts at the table with them. Although for a short period, I had a step mum who once did a fabric crafts project with me when I was seven. I enjoyed it so much I can remember the exact project we did to this day. This ended abruptly and I was back to fitting in with the boys. I wanted to join them at the skate park although we all knew I didn’t fit in. Ultimately, what I wanted was an avocation of my own.

When I turned 21, I moved into a home where one of my flatmates was a phenomenal seamstress. (She even designed and made it possible for me to walk down the aisle in my dream wedding dress!). She had been sewing for over 15 years and continued her craft at our dining room table. I would sit there and watch in awe as she would cut out pieces of fabric one by one to make her next creation. I was at a market when I recognised an old Singer sewing machine amid a heap of random items. It was a sign! So I bought it, and my flatmate (now my friend) taught me how to use the machine, and showed me the basics of sewing. She was also there to fix my wads of thread that I somehow ended up with more times than I'd care to admit! After many hours, a few tears, and a deep feeling of accomplishment, I had finished my first quilt! It was a baby quilt-not patchwork- but rather it illustrated a picture of snow-capped mountains with a sun peeking out from behind. It was on a common light green fabric with a patterned yellow border. The back was a solid white bamboo blanket that was soft to the touch-perfect for a baby’s unblemished skin.

Once I completed my first quilt, there was no holding me back! I made quilts with watermelon slices, and sailboats, vast oceans, scenery looking through a lock-hole, patchwork quilts, quilts specifically for people's birthdays and Christmas gifts, I loved it all! I made a leather backpack which was a great challenge though to be genuine, I probably won’t do that again- but I am happy I gave it a go! I also stitched a pair of pyjama pants patterned after one of my favourites, I had great success in creating a cami (disappointingly, it didn’t fit me but was quite elegant so I gave it away to a more petite friend of mine), I even made my husband a leather journal cover with a wrap-around strap and pockets- he loved it and continues to use it to this day! I created heat packs for backs and necks, compression sleeves for my puppy when he hurt his leg, I have fixed my clothing, patched holes in jeans, tailored my husbands' clothes to fit him better, fixed knee braces and shoulder slings. The list goes on, and I am still finding new ways to create and further my sewing skills.

I spend much quality time with my fabric scissors, we sit at the dining table, my bedroom floor, living room in front of the tv, we have many well-spent hours together. I have gone from cutting one piece to four at a time, although this can get messy when I act slovenly! Quality scissors are an absolute necessity when it comes to sewing. I use my rotary cutter for most quilting fabrics, my Fiskar scissors for leather and any harder material, and depending on the makeup of the fabric, I may be able to rip it.

Sewing is not something I pick up merely when I am bored, but it has become an outlet for creativity, a passion! I have never been much of an art enthusiast. I spent a year attempting to discover the (very) deep creative side of myself through drawing. Somehow, my work still looked like a three-year-old who was still learning how to hold a pencil. We all have our talents and if you've seen my work, you would know drawing is not mine! Nor was painting, or abstract art, or graphic design, or knitting. I have never been very creative, I am much more of a numbers and science-oriented person. Sewing has given me an outlet to be creative, to come up with designs and bring them to life.

My brothers can skate, and I will sew.