Sewing

When I was younger, I had a ton of hobbies. Most people probably do, before time and age gives us more responsibilities and we have less free time to occupy.

Fortunately for me, things in my life are settling down enough that I’ve been able to pick a few of them back up; I occasionally can pick up my Nintento Switch and play a few games to relax. I’m about to buy a new puzzle mat now that I have surfaces on which to do puzzles. And of course, between audiobooks, my kindle, and physical books, I’m getting back to reading the way that I want to.

But one hobby that I’ve had since childhood that I’ve revived this week is sewing.

When I was around ten or so, my mom worked out a schedule with an older lady in the neighborhood to teach my siblings and I how to sew as part of our home school curriculum.

I couldn’t tell you her real name, but we called her Ms. Piggy. (I think her late husband got called Mr. Kermit, if that adds any context…?)

On the assigned days, we would bike through our neighborhood and to her house. There, she would teach us basic sewing skills; which was the right and wrong side of the fabric, how to sew two pieces together, how to iron the seams flat, how to trim edges, how to sew buttons…

Basically, all of the skills that we would need to mend our own clothes. Under her direction, all of us made basic quilts with scraps of fabric from her house. I even learned how to sew sleeves onto dresses.

We were able to practice at home since Mom had a sewing machine (and serger) stowed in the schoolroom closet. When we were smaller, Mom used to make all of our clothes, so she had a lot of materials. One of my first projects was a heart-shaped pillow - at least, it was supposed to be heart-shaped. It was close.

As we got older and moved around, we didn't see the sewing machine much. I would sew a button or closure back onto an outfit if needed, but that was about it.

In my sophomore year of college, I took my costume practicum class. Here I worked under the costume shop director, M. It took some time to get back into the swing of things, but I was eventually able to recall the lessons from Ms. Piggy's living room.

I learned how to cut out a pattern, ironing both the pattern pieces and the fabric before cutting. I pinned the ends together in preparation for sewing and learned the importance of matching seams and ironing them flat. I also learned how to match the ends of patterned fabric so that they looked seamless.

I had to adjust for the difference in equipment; using an industrial sewing machine and iron is substantially more difficult than your home versions. I was warned that the machine could sew through my arm if I wasn't careful; it was so powerful that it would keep going before you could get your foot off the pedal. (I actually did sew through my thumb once.)

I loved being able to be involved behind the scenes in the costume shop, almost as much as I enjoyed being on stage. It was amazing to know that I'd had a hand in the costumes that I saw on stage, and I was sad when my time there was up.

After passing the practicum class, M sent me a message over the Christmas break, asking if I'd like to work in the shop as her official assistant. I hadn't even considered working while I was in college, but this was a good opportunity to get my feet wet in a my first job doing something I knew that I'd love. So I accepted, and I began that Spring.

For several semesters after that I was the costume shop assistant. In addition to learning how to sew more complex things, I also learned dyeing and fabric painting. There were even times when we partnered with the shop class to create elaborate costumes for things like the children's show.

Things followed a pretty predictable pattern; at the beginning of the semester, all that we did was take actors' measurements after they were cast in a show and slowly begin brainstorming how to bring the director's vision to life. As it got closer and closer to showtime, things would start to get busy as we built, pulled, and fitted costumes. During the run of the show, things were slow save for the occasional torn hole that needed patching or the wash of costumes during days where there weren't performances.

In these slower times, I would sometimes use my newfound skills (and the access to the costume shop machines) to work on personal projects for myself or my friends. The practice paid off, as I later made patterns from deconstructed clothes after I learned how to do it in the shop. I made a couple of dresses for myself, as well as a ruffled skirt for a friend's goddaughter's pageant and his graduation outfit. I made harem pajama pants for myself and friends after we'd made some for a show. I even made Jasmine and Aladdin costumes for my then-boyfriend and myself (the night before the party where we wore them, I can't stress that enough).

After college, I found little time for intensive sewing projects. I kept my sewing machine, a gift from my Mom, but only brought it out to hem skirts or pants.

A few years ago, however, a friend asked if I could make her a Virgin Mary costume for her church's Christmas performance. I can't even fully explain it to you, but I was so excited by the prospect of sewing again. I bought a pattern and gleefully made it for her, excited when it came together without too many mistakes.

Since then, I've been waiting for the opportunity to sew again. My boyfriend asked if I could patch his jeans, and I promised I would.

But just last week, the most unexpected idea came to me.

At school, on October 31st, we hold "Character Day." This is where students (and teachers) dress up as book characters so that we all get a chance to wear a costume. My first year at this school, I was "Ada Twist, Scientist," wearing a dress I already owned and a store-bought lab coat. The following year, I was Miss Nelson from "Miss Nelson is Missing," using my own clothes.

But this year? I decided to get crafty, in no way proportional to the announcement that the three best teacher costumes would win free lunch. I did some searching and decided that I was going to be Ms. Frizzle from "The Magic School Bus."

I found someone who'd used a plain dress, her Cricut, and iron on patches to make a Ms. Frizzle dress. I'd planned on buying a dress, but when I couldn't find one I decided to just make that from scratch, too.

I texted my Mom while in Hobby Lobby, telling her that I remember times where we were at the fabric store, looking through fabrics and patterns. I found all that I needed, and I got to work.

Currently, I have the bodice put together. My boyfriend remarked that I probably have already spent more on this costume than the lunch that I could win. But between my competitive nature and how much fun I'm having getting back to sewing?

Worth it.

Maybe this will be a return to sewing for fun. Maybe I'll start making clothes for myself again. Where ever this goes, I'm glad that I'm back to this decades long hobby again.