Discussion
(thinking out lout to myself)
Hmm, sew another pair of jeans, or sew a plaid shirt next. 🤔
(no pressing need for either, but I have the fabrics to make either/both/many. Probably will do both anyway). Given the small size of my wardrobe, if I keep this up, it's likely I will have repaired, modified, or sewn almost every piece of clothing I own, lol. (aside from underwear and socks).
@ai6yr sock repair is a thing. A huge thing, especially in Japan, as the book "darning socks" from Hikaru Noguchi shows....
https://modernmending.com/collections/books/products/darning-socks-book-by-hikaru-noguchi
@gusseting Yes. My attempts (so far) have been not great. I will have to try again.
<warning: rambling to no one>
(I had been purging stuff I hadn't been wearing, but suddenly after learning how to modify clothing the formula has changed dramatically... several pairs of new pants I would not wear suddenly made wearable because I added pockets and zippers. And all the t-shirts that didn't fit me re-cut and sewn to my size... Amazing what learning sewing does for that whole business)
@ai6yr also that it can start small with learning basic mending techniques! We (collectively, in the US) toss so many clothes that could be patched or altered.
My mother dumpster-dives for things that could be donated to thrift stores, and regularly finds clothes that only need a button sewn on. Buttons can be expensive, but shirt buttons aren’t that bad, and shirts often have a spare button attached to an inside seam.
I think button-sewing is a good first thing to learn!
Anyway, PSA to no one in particular: sewing is an extremely, extremely useful skill to have, of PHENOMENAL usefulness, and it's a shame it's not respected as such (at least, not in the US -- and based on the extremely low value placed in sewing worldwide, probably a global thing). So glad the many folks here have pointed me in the right direction on this. And it's also a shame it's been pretty gender-role limited. (at least for me, a straight male...) I highly recommend everyone and anyone at least learn the basics (repair and some modifications), but if you're into math/puzzles/3d modeling/etc. it is a natural fit to go well beyond that.
@ai6yr There is a long tradition of male tailors, of course--but that's business rather than home sewing.
We had one term each of different crafts at secondary school and we were taught how to manually sow on a button. Then we had to make something practical that required manual sowing.
Back in the Second Age of Middle Earth the wise Elves taught us a thing or two 😉
@ai6yr @LJ Sewing made it possible for me to have an interesting wardrobe in my first job out of college when I had very little money. Back in those days, fabric and patterns were cheap. I had countless "dresses" made by making the same pattern of skirt and the same pattern of top over and over in matching fabrics. A belt around the waist and it looked perfect -- for about $10. I still have the sewing machine I got for graduation in 1982 and I still use it when I need to sew.
@ai6yr Watching your progress over the past year-plus has motivated me to start learning a thing or two. Working on basic repairs now (buttons, socks, etc.), we'll see where this takes me.
@ai6yr
Sewing is not respected because is was traditionally considered woman's work. Except if a man did it, then he was called a tailor.
Cooking is not respected because is was considered woman's work. Except if a man did it, then he was called a chef.
See how that works?
Also immigrants who could not speak the new language well could still sew, fit and repair; sinking the skill further into disrespect.
and when a field that is typically filled with women gets filled with men the pay scale goes up for no apparent reason. also, the reverse
@ai6yr I learned to sew doing cosplay shenanigans. I apparently have a knack for invisible zippers. But the skill also applies to random things like fixing backpack straps or other stuff.
I really learned to sew as a performer at So.Cal Renaissance Faire. Sewing for a “historical” costume is so different from sewing for everyday wear. That said, like your invisible zippers skill, one learns valuable detail skills that transfer to sewing for everyday wear that are not easily mastered. I learned so much. I sewed or made everything I am wearing in the photo. No zippers! Those are scary. 🫣
@T2R EXACTLY! It's so useful!
@ai6yr i taught myself to sew (mostly via youtube and indie patterns) starting in about 2022. as a fat person, it feels like a superpower to be able to make things that fit me. i find it so satisfying to be able to repair and alter and design exactly what i want to wear. it's super fun to watch you figure it all out from scratch, although starting from pre-existing patterns made it much easier for me :)
@piebob NICE! It sure feels like a superpower!!!
YouTube
And should things go to hell in that proverbial hand basket, sewing will be a valuable skill set in a post apocalypse!!
@Sfwmson lol, it is consistent in that theme in my hobbies.
My daughter is a seamstress for a few theater companies! The actors love her because their pants don't fall down on stage because of her work!
@ai6yr I learned sewing from a couple of places (my mom & sisters a bit, 4H, school). It really bummed me out that at my teen’s school, which has a very broad arts curriculum, they offer nothing in fiber arts. No sewing, knitting, weaving, etc. He’s doing a theater class this fall that focuses on costume design but the teacher was surprised when I asked about sewing - much more about thrifting (fine) and glue. Missed opportunity.
@kimu GLUE? No glue! I do think fiber arts have disappeared from schools... They had sewing in Home Ec. when I was in middle school (which I took and absolutely and completely failed, because my mom didn't know how to sew and couldn't help me.... but I recall I was the only male in the class.)
@ai6yr
Hmmm, I've been procrastinating that for quite a while... how would you suggest one starts?
@RLetot Honestly, I'd start with a pillowcase to get the feel of using a sewing machine.
@ai6yr has really had a great journey, from what I've seen. I am not sure what garment he started with, but it was definitely a pattern. You could make "scrubs" which are loose and very forgiving and dead simple (no tailoring).
I love the idea of a first project being a tote bag, but honestly, I see so many poorly made totes, I wouldn't recommend starting there.
How about a tote bag? They are small, so you won't need a lot of fabric.
They have straight seams. The handles can be strong webbing. If you are feeling adventurous, you can turn your own with self fabric.
Use it for groceries. You will learn about:
the strength of your seams
how the shape matters
how much more weight a well designed handle supports.
Pockets are optional.
No zippers or buttons yet.
You will get an early success.
@RLetot @ai6yr
Starting from scratch, skirts are easier. Something youll wear or use is better for motivation - if you use a pattern, the level will be indicated. You can also start looking at your clothes with curiosity to see how they're made, and why not see if theres any difference between the good quality ones and the cheap ones
Of course the easiest is to start with small repairs lile sewing your buttons back on when they fall.
@ai6yr the more I sew, the more I want to pick up a book about geometry for laypeople
@ai6yr It is extremely useful!
I have zero sense of direction, so often my makes have lots of unpicking before I'm done (in VERY fast at unpicking, though!) and I also enjoy servicing my vintage sewing machines (I don't do the electric parts. Knowing my limits.)
@ai6yr plaid paints and denim shirt, obvs
Don't forget the bell bottoms and flyaway collar