what sewing has taught me
I first learned to sew when I was five. My mom taught me so that I could make matching outfits for myself and my teddy bear (named Peachy).
I have come back to sewing again and again for the past 25 years. It has been a tether in my life. Something I can hold onto. Something that reminds me of who I am. Something that brings me back to my body. Something that brings me deep joy and awe. Sewing has taught me:
to be patient
to have grace for mistakes
to slow down
to problem solve
to expand the possibilities of my imagination
to appreciate the labor that goes into making things - and thus has given me a firey passion to ensure that those making things are paid enough for the labor and are treated fairly
to be curious about where things come from and where they go when we are done with them
to be careful
to be intentional about my consumption
to respect the earth and the resources she provides us
to appreciate my body
to understand my body
to be gentle with myself and my body
to realize that “sizes” are completely arbitrary
to have a greater capacity for awe and wonder
to trust my intuition
to have confidence in my strength and abilities
to have a mindset of “what else is possible”
Not to mention, it’s also taught me to always be prepared and to carry a sewing kit with me because wherever I go, I am the one asked to replace a button, quickly hem a skirt, or repair a hole in the pants of the groom ten minutes before the wedding.
I’m not saying that if everyone learned how to sew, the world would be a better place. But I’m also not NOT saying that. I think there is incredible value in learning how to make things with your own two hands beyond just the fact that then you get to have something that you made.
