When I was a 15-year-old sophomore in high school, I was a major tomboy. It was the mid-90's, smack in the middle of the grunge era so that’s kind of an excuse, but the truth is I just wasn’t too girly. When I met with my counselor to tell him that I wanted to enroll in auto shop & work on cars as my elective for the semester, he smiled, patted me on the hand, and told me, “That class is full. Why not try sewing?”
I was soooooooo insulted. What, sew because I’m a girl? I didn’t doubt that auto shop was full, it was a really popular class, but the only other feasible alternative was sewing? Why not ROTC? Why not bowling? Hell, even cooking was more co-ed than sewing was.... why not cooking? I filled with resentment. I took my teenage rage, went to sewing class, and figured it’d at least be another easy A to maintain my 4.0 GPA.
The good news is that it was easy, but you know what else? It was wonderful! Because the thing is, sewing is kinda like working on cars. There’s a concentration involved. There are lots of little parts. There are specific steps to get you to your proper end result. I didn’t get dirty and I didn’t get to show up any boys (my real motivation for taking auto shop - remember, I was a tommy!), but I did get the single-most used skill I got from high school. Besides larnin’ reading, ritin’, and ‘rithmatic that is.
So why do I still sew? I believe sewing is an art. I believe sewing is therapeutic. I believe sewing is a worthy time waster. I also believe that sewing saves me serious moolah, and I will do my best to pass on my money-saving tips. Who doesn't need to pinch a penny in this economy, amiright?
I’ve been sewing with a needle and thread for as long as I can remember and sewing with a machine for over half my 32-year-old life. There have been some wonderful creations. There have been some real terds too, believe me. But just as you won’t hit it out of the park every time you go to bat, everything you sew won't always be perfect either. The world has never ended because I sewed a shitty dress, it certainly won't if you do too.
So let me share my love of sewing with you. Let me share parts of my life with you. Let me share my knowledge with you, not just about sewing, but about running, cooking, and even working on cars (Yes, I did learn after all. My dad taught me so that I could, in his words, "Know how to do it, but never have to. Men are for that."). I change my own oil, sew my own clothes, and try, try, try to always live and learn. Let’s make something together!
xoxo,
Regan Rothery
