Does anyone else sew?

I love sewing. I don't do a whole lot of it, not nearly as much as I'd like, but when the mood or inspiration strikes it's like a refuge for me where I can totally escape all but the worst pain and fatigue. I've done a lot to make my sewing area and tools as fibro-friendly as possible. I use a rotary cutter whenever possible. I bought a hem guide for my sewing machine. I use a very comfortable office chair and have a footrest that accommodates the pedal. I use a school table that's big enough to hold everything I need once I start sewing pieces together so I don't have to get up and down. It's just the right height not to hit my arms and elbows in the painful spots but high enough to keep me from slouching. What do you other sewing people do or use to be able to sew even on bad days?

I learned to sew at age 6. My mom would let me experiment on the machine with her supervising of course.
I entered a 4H sewing contest in 5th grade. Won the county award for my quilted top pillow.
Made my first quilt at age 12 using old dress scraps. We still have it. My mother uses it as a lap blanket.
I took a quilting class in college. I love to quilt but haven't done it for several years.
I stopped Counted cross stitching when my eyes started giving me trouble and I kept forgetting where I was on the chart.

I love sewing, but haven't done it in a while.  I think it's because I too often get sinus or headache issues, and it's just too hard to focus.  Would like to get back to it, though, and work on a quilt.

Having a hobby or two to enjoy is important, I think, and it can take us away from our pain for a while.

I haven't sewn in ages, but I'm about to get back into it, sort of ;)

Even w/ my DM having a machine at home, I never used it. I had sewing class in HS, but wasn't too interested in it.

I liked to do hook rugs when I was in my late teens, also did some needle point. When my older son was born, he received some beautiful quilts. I decided then to make some quilts of my own. I made quite a few, for my son's 1st bed and also for my sister's 1st baby and for my friend's babies.

I built a dollhouse many, many yrs ago. I decorated the rooms like the ones in my house. Had rooms to match my children's rooms, our bedroom, LR, DR, & kitchen. Then life got so busy and weird, I really let it go. We have spent the last yr redoing our house. All my 'babies' are on their own, except for the puppies, of course. So I decided to repaint and update. That includes drapes, curtain, quilts, bedding, etc. So I will start on that after I get the painting done in/out the house. I also used to make mini 'food' for the dollhouse. We will see how that goes.

I figure I can get my sore hands to comply for little projects.

God bless.   Alice.

Hi Luvzminis,

Thank you so much for that site. I will look it up later. It sounds very interesting. That was very kind of you!! I liked working w/ a hammer and screwdriver yrs ago. Built 2 dollhouses by myself, even put the siding on myself. I have a 3rd one that my DH bought for me for our anniversary. It is very tiny, can't remember the proportion right now. What kind of things do you make for the dollhouse? You sound very creative.

I understand about your special dollhouse, and yes it is a treasure. I like sentimental ppl, I'm that way myself. 

Thank you again. Have a great day!

God bless.  Alice.

You all are so creative! The dollhouses would stump me so badly, because I'm not much of an everyday decorator. My problem is that I see fabric in the store that I love and I don't have the foggiest idea what to do with it, besides a blanket or pillowcases. lol Give me a pattern and I can do just about anything, though. I'm getting the parts together to make my niece a fairy costume and am very much enjoying picking up a piece here and there. We just got a bunch of beads, some for kids and some for adults, that we're going to use to make Christmas gifts. We have a bunch of charms coming from an online auction that I'm looking forward to getting my hands on.

I think so many of the ppl here are very creative! I've seen where ppl here like to paint, sew, garden, cook, make jewelry, write stories and/or poetry, etc. I am just amazed at the talent and creativity of the women and men on this forum. And this is in addition to whatever their 'Daytime' jobs are/were.

For the longest time I was uncomfortable showing anyone my art work. Way too much criticism from teachers when I was in grade school. I credit my DH w/ helping to instill confidence in me. He has always believed in me. Now I'm rather comfortable doing something creative. As long as I can remember how to do it. lol

I love the sound of the fairy costume and how I love to look at all the great colors of beads. I love to see them in all the shades of all the colors. So pretty.

I used to make up some 'foods' and holiday items for the dollhouse. Turkeys, hams, pumpkins, rabbits, etc. I liked to paint the furniture in the Hindeloopen style. I thought it was so cool. I guess I just get excited by the prospect of color. lol

Thank you for the suggestions for online ideas. I will check them out. I will check out my library for some mini ideas.

I have been picking up some of the Fat Squares of fabric to use for my linens and things. I have some fabrics from yrs ago that I can still use. I spend way too much time at Lowe's, but they have the little sample containers for their Summer collection of paints. I have picked up some of these containers in the colors I've used in my house, so it should be interesting when the dollhouse is done.

I had to lay my little hammer down awhile ago. Don't have that 'swing' anymore.    Glad my small house is already built. I did enjoy building that so much.

You all have me energized to get crackin' on my projects. Thank you. Now I'm excited.

Sweet Dreams!

God bless.  Alice.

 

Yes, I sew (and embroider, and I've done basic knitting which I'd like to do again someday when I'm caught up, but that really hurts my hands). I mostly hand sew (not-quite-accurate but trying to get there historical clothing), and I only really use a sewing machine for things here and there most of the time.

I used to be able to sew for hours, and now it's more in short bursts. I hate when my hands shake, but I've been trying to just get used to that. I also feel clumsy more often than I used to and jab myself with pins, needles, and other sharp things. Heheh.

I think my biggest frustration is that my husband and I live in a small apartment and he works from home. While I can store some things in the study where he works, most of my sewing things are in the living room. I have to set up my area to work (turning a big chair around to use the sewing machine), and put it away when I'm finished because I like to keep things neat for us both. There have been times I put off sewing when I realized I had to go to different rooms to get supplies and set up all sorts of things -- for example, I use the ironing board and do some cutting (on the floor -- ouch, my knees and back!) in the kitchen. I'm always cleaning the floor just in case there are spills so they don't ruin my fabric.

While I may not sew for long periods of time or every day, I still get it done and try to enjoy it. I'm just a little slower than I used to be. Now if I could just find the space to also pull out my old art supplies. Heheheh!

Hi everyone!

I love sewing.  It is my avocation.  I used to have my own little business making wedding and prom dresses.  Made my one daughter's wedding dress and cut out all the lace roses and applied them to the bodice.  The gown was beautiful and weighed at least ten pounds on its own. LOL

Today I am retired from nursing, which was my vocation.  I live in Ocala, Florida now and I am lucky enough to have my own sewing room.  I have bought a cutting table and keep it set up in there and I now use a stool to cut out projects, since I have trouble standing for any length of time.

I wish I could say that I sew everyday, but I am just in too much pain to do it often, even though I love it.

I am making my oldest daughter some skirts to wear presently and have a wheelchair bag that I am making too.  I have tons of kid projects for clothes for my granddaughters ages, 8 and almost 4.  I am long overdue to make her quilt.  I made one for both of my daughters and one for Kelly, my oldest granddaughter.  Now I have to make Anna one.

Well, I use the table and the stool to help me with my fibro mostly.  That is the most recent "help" I created for myself.  I have my sewing machine and serger well placed where I can just swivel my chair to use each.  I have beautiful furniture that my husband bought for my room when we moved in.

Oh, by the way, I LOVE LOVE LOVE  to machine embroider too.  I bought that feature with my Viking sewing machine.  I have the Designer I.  I love this machine.  It does everything but make coffee in the morning. LOL

May the Lord bless all of you who read this.

Lindaloo

Oh and here is a sewing site I go to  www.allfreesewing.com

I agree that our hobbies help with the pain...I was never one to sew, even in home ec...my projects were so sorry looking. If I get a button sewn back on to a blouse, it is an accomplishment.

One of my very good friends and neighbor quilts... she even has a tattoo of a spool of thread and a needle and the wording, Born to Quilt.

 

She was born to quilt, that she knows

her love and care, in all she sews

 

At times, she sews all through the night

Each stitch is perfect, made just right

 

Her finished quilt, a work of art

...a product of love, made with her heart

 

Robin

evenkeel: I am considering getting something easily packed away to help with kneeling. Wish I could think of more to help my back, but alas... all aspects of sewing give me a screaming back and neck ache. I guess that is one thing I have to live with.

As far as tables, we don't really have the right space for it. I actually already have a table that folds up, and it's in outside storage that isn't easily accessible so it mostly stays there right now. In the past, when I desperately needed it, we left it out in the living room (it took up most of the living room, and sometimes hubby would help me fold it and lean it against a wall) until I got past the need for using it. Lately, I just pretty much use the floor or another surface and make do with that. It's too difficult to get to now, but at least I do have it if I am okay with putting up with it in the living room for a few days or a week if it's needed.

I don't sew but I love to crochet. Doing these sorts of things is a wonderful way to keep your mind off of the pain.

As soon as I feel the tightness from sitting a bit too long come over me or the discomfort from sitting, it's great I'm able to just put it down and return to it later.

And there's nothing like warming up under an afghan you crocheted yourself. Pride is good for us.