Hobbies
Sew Much Fun!
By Kate McCarthy
With the popularity of the Great British Sewing Bee, more of us are dusting off our sewing machines and having another go. I was put off learning sewing at school. If sewing machine dyslexia was a thing, I had it. I could not sew a straight seam to save my life and everything I made fell apart within minutes. So, I gave up until a friend suggested we go to a night class. ‘It’ll be fun,’ he said, ignoring my horrified expression. He was right though and now I love to sew. Here are three reasons why you might enjoy it too. Save money – Learning how to make basic alterations and repairs can save money. You see the perfect jacket or dress in a charity shop but it’s slightly too large. No problem if you know how to make a couple of nips and tucks. And when your child has to dress up as a superhero / Roman / vegetable for school, you’ll never be stumped for a costume. Express your individuality - You can make one-of-a-kind accessories, such bags or scarves in your favourite colours or patterns. Fancy a polka dot headband or a tartan waistcoat? No problem if you know your way around a sewing machine. Make clothes to fit and flatter you – It took me several months to learn the basics of sewing, but now I can create almost anything I like, from runway looks through to items from my favourite boutique. Sewing is an especially useful skill if (like me) you have a hard to shop for figure. It was liberating the first time I created a dress which fit my measurements exactly. I felt like a catwalk model and received ‘sew’ many compliments from friends (see what I did there?). If you’re looking for a fun hobby that’s also useful, check out local classes, or ask a friend to teach you.
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