How Sewing Changed My Life

[@TomKatStitchery]

My new FREE class “Top Tips to Get Started Garment Sewing”: www.tomkatstitchery.com/learntosew Sign up for the newsletter here: www.tomkatstitchery.com/newsletter

[@Escape10mom]

Sewing is so freeing. It has totally kept me sane. I've sewn it all. Clothing, quilting, garments, & home dec as well. It's really a great thing to know how to do!!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Agree!!!

[@sandyp2485]

It certainly is freeing. I've done much the same including sewing a large tent back together when a wind storm tore the corners; fishing line is a useful thing to have out in the wilds. I haven't sewn shoes or slippers though I have patterns for them in my stash.

[@denisem9407]

Sewing is a way to connect with my relatives going back to my French Canadian grandmother who worked in a garment factory in Massachusetts. Been sewing since the age of 10. Can't count the number of failures but wow, those successes have been worth it. Sewing kept me sane in tough times. Let's hear it for full bust adjustments.😊

[@lynnries7729]

Both my grandmother's sewed. Paternal grandma went to work sewing flags (straight stitches) when her husband died in 1940. The factory was converted to making tents during WW2. Her clothing items always looked home-made. My maternal grandmother made all my clothes from birth until I was 8 yrs old. She sewed for a children's specialty shop until the mid 1960's then switched to designing and creating beautiful quilts. She was a talented artist and designer which I did not inherit! But, I love to sew and just spending time in my creative, sewing space gives me so much pleasure and a sense of peace.

[@sandyp2485]

Sewing is definitely a way to connect with history whether familial or the broader world. After all, wasn't it Eve who first sewed something for her and Adam in the garden?

[@TomKatStitchery]

Yes! Even a "failed" garment can teach us something to use in our successes!

[@TomKatStitchery]

I LOVE this! And YAY for the full bust adjustment 😂.

[@sewhappy4643]

Sewing is definitely my happy, relaxed place to be!! I totally relax when I sew. My whole mood changes.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I totally agree!

[@cherylhendershot2859]

I can totally relate to you in your difficulty in finding clothes that fit properly! I am a very curvy gal at 5'1. If it fits on the top, it doesn't fit on the bottom, and vise versa. Most ready-made pants do not fit me at all and are usually too long. It seems that clothing industries assume if you have hips and rounded bottom, you also have a large gut, which results in the pants gaping in the back. I was a teenager in the 70's and am very familiar with clothing issues. When I was pregnant, I made all my maternity clothes and haven't been involved in sewing much since then, but I'm seriously considering it again. I do not care for today's fashion at all. I am 68 years old and do not want my chest hanging out, nor do I want to look like I have no fashion sense at all. Just because I'm older doesn't mean I have to dress in frumpy shapeless clothes.

[@sandyp2485]

Oh, I can so identify with clothing fitting issues. I'm with you in not caring for today's fashions. Anything in the store with a V-neck is instantly obscene on me; I don't want to put the goods in the store window. At the very least it leaves my bra showing. Longer tops that fit over my hips then tend to be overly blousey on top so it looks very sloppy on me. And yes on the ill-fitting pants. Plus the torn up look isn't for me; besides I can get that quick enough working in the garden. LOL I end up taking in something somewhere and so many pants don't have pockets to stick a tissue or car keys in. The legs are too long or too short. I might as well make the garment from scratch so I don't have to do alterations that never really work in the first place or figure out how to add pockets to it. I'm getting back into my sewing room to sew for me instead of projects for everything else which will have to wait its turn.

[@cherylhendershot2859]

@@sandyp2485 Right? It is a conundrum for sure!

[@sewingintrifocals-alisonde7778]

@@sandyp2485, 70s teen, too, and about 5’1”-did a lot of pants hemming in the 70s.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Isn't it great to sew exactly what you want and how you want it to be? Sewing is a super power!!

[@sandyp2485]

@@TomKatStitchery I hadn't thought of it that way but most people are in awe of someone who can not only sew, but sew well and defy the department store fashion dictates.

[@cleanqueen75]

I had to take Home Ec in junior high. I got my first sewing machine a White when I was 14 back in 1971. I caught on and have been sewing all these years. I’m a curvy 5 foot tall so I love that I can sew clothes that fit. I bought books back then on home decor so I upholster furniture and sew all my window treatments.

[@TomKatStitchery]

That’s amazing! I love that you’ve been sewing so many different things for so long!

[@ZeldaSews]

Whitney this was a great video! I didn't know you didn't so as a child! Your work is so beautiful!❤ Have a blessed week and I agree with you that our God created us to be created beings for Him.

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️

[@mary-lougatward5125]

Thanks for the free course. I just finished you pattern fitting 101 and I must say you are a great teacher. 💕

[@denisem9407]

Yes she is.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!!!

[@TomKatStitchery]

That's so kind! Thank you!

[@sandyp2485]

Even if someone has been sewing forever, like me (think I was born with a needle and thread in hand LOL) It's always good to check in on basic intro classes because techniques change, materials change, tools change, etc. Sometimes the new things work out well for the seasoned sewist and sometimes the old tried-and-true works out better. Sewing magazines like Threads also help me stay on top of the sewing news, too.

[@TomKatStitchery]

It's also always interesting to see how someone else tackles the same problem!

[@dawnjeffersramstad8401]

We are all grateful sewing is your creative outlet. 🎉 Thank you for sharing your story, it was interesting. When is your TED Talk. 😊

[@TomKatStitchery]

😂 I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's been a bit since I've done a "chatty" video.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'll let you know--😉

[@lynngates1662]

Hi Whitney, you are indeed in a very special time, sending the kiddos off is such a big step! I had borrowed my mom's machine after leaving home, and was gifted my own right after Son #1 (engineer now 😉) It's the machine I'm still using. I learned everything by reading instructions, which I love to do! I remember seeing your Archie shirt a while back, and I've just been finishing up my own. This is such an easy-going pattern, as I just came off a huge costume project and this feels like a nice recovery haha. I was a little cheesed that the digital files were sent separately for all three sizes (🙄 lesson learned) , but otherwise a perfect project! Happy travels!

[@sandyp2485]

I remember my first sewing machine that I used in college. It was $75 a pea green Kenmore (and very heavy) that I was so thrilled that it had a blind hem stitch on it. I sewed my wedding dress on it and many other garments until I got my first Viking with lots of decorative stitches on it. The old Kenmore was passed on to the sister after me who in turn passed it on to the sister after her. No idea where it is now but likely still chugging away even many decades later. Sewing really does connect us with family.

[@lynngates1662]

@@sandyp2485 My husband says that when he was picking out the machine and he didn't know anything about them, he got the heaviest one haha. My mother's old Singer Touch and Sew that I used before my own is in my house currently.

[@TomKatStitchery]

It's a busy but special time!!!

[@cecilehoare3053]

Sewing has freed me from the cofines of the plus size 'old lady' clothing I could find in my area!

[@TomKatStitchery]

No "old lady" styles around here. We are only sewing style!

[@DoloresDeeBodnar]

Never get tired of hearing your story of how you started sewing 😊❤

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@victoriahannah1633]

Loved hearing about your sewing history. I’m hoping to be back in sewing room on Thursday. I’m feeling a great deal better from my asthma ordeal. I’m on an inhaler called advair and what a miracle it is. I was just finishing up perfecting a pants pattern. So I need to test it on a muslin. I’m hoping to get it cut out for couple pairs to sew in Florida. I also just finished boot strap pants form but it needs some alterations. So I’ll be working on it down in Florida also. It’s going to be our last trip to Florida. My son who is also an engineer has taken a job with Duke power in North Carolina. His wife has job interview this week for a job in nursing. It’s going to cut our travel time in half.

[@sandyp2485]

I know how you feel with asthma. Mine started up before the inhalers so I only had pills to help. Sewing is a great way to relax which is most beneficial for asthmatics. It sounds like you have several great projects to work on.

[@victoriahannah1633]

@@sandyp2485 Oh Thank you so much. I grew up with asthma so this is not all new to me. Unfortunately a new group of people started in my Dr’s office. No they were not hired by her but under the Sentara umbrella. The problem is they are very slow in getting orders approved for insurance and getting orders processed. My Doctor and her nurses were fantastic about getting it done. So it took quite sometime for me to get my inhaler. So my condition got worse. I got the inhaler Advair and it’s great. It’s just taking sometime for my body to recoup. I’m probably going to get back in my sewing room Thursday or Friday. I hope you’re doing ok with your asthma. Again Thanks for your concern.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm so glad you're feeling better!

[@MaryCunningham-u5j]

Great video - your enthusiasm for sewing and obvious happiness about it are a great advertisement for your business! The pleasure of making something can be very satisfying - having the idea, figuring out how to make it happen, going through the process and then enjoying the finished item are therapeutic, I think.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I totally agree!

[@juliemulie1805]

Similar learning to sew story. I was not tall and lean like my mother and shopping with her exasperated us both. Thank heavens for a sewing grandmother! Enjoy our hot weather here in KC, where you can get orange-red clothing this time of year!

[@TomKatStitchery]

In KC, you can get red-orange outfits ALL YEAR LONG 🤣🤣🤣

[@gwenhastings6160]

Whitney, I’ve also taken your pattern fitting class, and enjoyed it. I’m going to go revisit it to enable continued improvement, there was so much content to absorb, and just want to share, you are a positive influence in my sewing. Thanks for these videos. I hope to take another class from you in the future.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you for that sweet endorsement and comment. It fills my heart to know that you are using what you learned!!

[@debsmadethis]

I learnt with that colette book and by jumping into sewing a Tangled/Rapunzel fancy dress dress and 3 small bridesmaids dresses (from a vogue pattern) 😂 Good job no one told me that was tricky 😂 Sewing has definitely transformed me ! Safe travels 😊

[@TomKatStitchery]

That is awesome!

[@susieweir2959]

Great video! Always love it when you share your story!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!!

[@sherrelstroot3034]

My chest was so large a bikini was out of the question. My clothes ( in high school) were adult sizes bc they required less "remaking". I haven't sewn in years. I haven't kept up with textiles.

[@SewFelicia]

❤❤ woo hoo. Not long until you reconnect with your sewing machine 😊

[@TomKatStitchery]

I've missed it!

[@SewFelicia]

@@TomKatStitchery I don’t doubt it. I miss it and it’s in the same house as me!

[@karolmolpus9536]

My great grandmother sewed bridle gowns! Was always in awe. I started sewing very young, but lost mojo when fabric stores in USA faded away 😢

[@karenbruner899]

The same thing happened to me when the good fabric stores went away. I’m beginning to dabble in it again by ordering online. So far I’ve had more failures than successes, but I’m determined to keep going. And instead of agonizing over my failures, I consider them lessons learned and dream of the day when I’ll be successful. I’ve also learned that the best way for me to handle a failure that can’t be salvaged in any way is to throw it in the trash and move on. 😅

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️

[@lynneprentice4278]

One question I have, do you not find that when you monetise your hobby, it becomes less of a hobby and more of a chore or duty? I was a keen cook, which I then did professionally and it really killed the joy when I did it for money. I now no longer cook professionally I have re found my love of it. Love the channel ❤️❤️

[@Seams_in_the_Wild]

That is exactly what I found. Suddenly sewing was triggering depression instead of being my therapy.

[@denisem9407]

@@Seams_in_the_Wild That's why when folks ask why I don't make a living by sewing I say nope, it's a hobby, it relaxes me, and trying to make money would change all of that.

[@sandyp2485]

I've done sewing for people willing to pay my price *and* would appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into the article. I haven't done it as a way to make my living only as a means for extra money from time to time. I don't think I could deal with overly critical clients and from the work I used to do, I know there's always a few. I don't think I could do it like some people do such as for craft fairs where they have a booth filled with children's clothes or skirts. Of course, there's no fitting involved; simply picking a pattern and sewing all the sizes.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Sometimes the chore is trying to figure out the business end. The sewing is never a chore!!

[@Seams_in_the_Wild]

@@denisem9407 Anyone besides my kids asking me to do repairs or alterations gets referred to the local drycleaners, who does a fantastic job.

[@sewingintrifocals-alisonde7778]

I listen to audiobooks, too, while I sew 🧵 or knit.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Love that!

[@michellem3899]

That is how I knew I was having twins. I was sooooo sick and I had not had that with my first!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Sooo Sick!!

[@lynnew2517]

Whitney, did you not bring your knitting with you to your parents' house. You know yarn heals many wounds! 😊

[@TomKatStitchery]

Not this time! My next project isn't mindless so I really would need to focus!

[@deborahtate7763]

If it's KC, My machines would welcome you. I need someone to help me with fitting, I just have not been able to see in the rearview mirror.

[@karolmolpus9536]

How can you be sure what colors are true when we have to order?

[@sandyp2485]

Fabric swatches are what works for me. They are usually only a dollar or so and very helpful in selecting fabrics for your project.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Fabric swatches are handy for places that you order from over and over. It happens, sometimes we miss on the color but that just pops into my stash for either my daughter or Jenni

[@MaryWatson-p8b]

How do I get my colors done online?

[@aprilgirl4411]

color guru

[@TomKatStitchery]

Check out Color Guru and use my code TOMKATCOLOR to get 10% off!

[@TomKatStitchery]

I have a code with Color Guru: yourcolorguru.com . Use the code TOMKATCOLOR at checkout to get 10% off!