Sewing used to be something every genteel woman knew how to do and was often an excuse to gather with dear friends, though I doubt these women here called their little get-together a stitch 'n' bitch.Ann of Gorgeous Things is hosting a Stitch 'n' B*tch session at her studio this weekend and if I didn't already have plans I would seriously consider driving five hours to Boston, just so I could participate. You see—cue the violins here—I don't know anyone who sews except for you, dear readers. With the exception of a coworker who occasionally makes slipcovers, I have no face-to-face contact with real, live persons who own and use a sewing machine to make clothes.
Me thinks I am not so unique in this aspect, however. Which brings us to this week's Fun Friday Poll: Do you personally know anyone who makes her own clothes and whom you see on a somewhat regular basis? Immediate family members do not count nor do Internet friends you've never met in the flesh-and-blood. I'm talking about friends you see more than once a year and who share your love of sewing. Take the poll at right and let us know.
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Results of last week's poll about owning your own custom labels: We are definitely a label-loving bunch. Half of us, me included, already own custom labels; another 40 percent plan on buying or making their own labels in the future.•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Coming next week: I'll show you my three finished versions of Textile Studio's Mandarin Shirt-Jacket. One pattern but three very different looks, and I'm happy with the results. Enjoy your weekend!
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23 comments:
No, I don't have any in "real life" (took the poll too)... Not sure I miss it though. I get so easily distracted lol. But it sure was fun at LA PR weekend! Not much sewing done but lotsa lotsa sewing chatter!!
I don't see people who sew on a regular basis, but I do (try to) attend one of our local shop's sew ins. It's a great way to be inspired, work on some projects, and be around other people who enjoy my passion!
I actually do (or I should I did until I started taking weekly French lessons) have face-to-face contact with at least six or more sewers every Monday night at Vogue Fabrics for a free sewing demo. It's been at least six weeks since I've gone last...I feel out of touch. Once my class is fini, I'll be back at Vogue on Monday nights. (btw, Lindsay, I'm at marybeth.klatt@@@@gmail..com per your question at my blog)
I love your Friday polls! I have one friend in town who sews who I see very infrequently. And I think she's gonna move now that she finished grad school. Cue the violins...
(Sad voice) I wish I had people to get together with locally to sew. My sister owns a sewing machine, but she doesn't use it.
I have a whole bunch of sewing friends - it's our PMB group. We call ourselves Boutique Belles and we meet every month to learn from each other, do show-and-tell, inspire and get inspired. Unfortunately, I haven't seen them in the last year at all because we're stuck in Germany (courtesy of the U.S. Air Force). I'm planning a couple of trips back stateside and they will include visiting with them.
Exactly the same for me, no sewing friends at all. So I'm very fond of the virtual sewing room on the internet to share my passion.
I have a friend who crochets, but that doesn't count, does it? I have a friend who used to sew, but doesn't anymore because of arthritis in her hands. I value my OSBs (Online Sewing Buddies), but it would be great to have one or two F2FSBs.
I'm really lucky, I have a couple family members who sew. Anyway, I also run the NYC Sewing & Fabric shopping meetup- we have't had any 'stitch and bitch' sessions like Ann's *yet* (Oh man, I wish I could have attended her's also!!) but we have scheduled for July. You should come along if you're free, there are a lot of great members. :)
http://sewing.meetup.com/201/
I've got loads of sewing friends in real life! I get together for a monthly craft night with friends, and I often go to the meetup.com London Sewing Group gatherings, and I often run into other various sewers I've picked up (or influenced into starting!) along the way... Being in a big city sure doesn't hurt!
Same here... I don't know a single soul (outside of my family) who sews! I'm so happy the internet has enabled me to meet like minded people and learn new techniques.
Obviously I'm lucky that I have a bunch of folks nearby, and we get together as often as we can. This S&B will have (I think) 7 of us. I'll tell you, I see a lot of folks from the SeaTac area both in my business and on my blog. What a great area for sewers! That's prime S&B turf there.
PS, Lindsay, you can come stitch anytime!
Nope, no real life sewing friends. I know a couple of people who quilt, but that really doesn't count. I have plenty of room in my studio to hold a stitch n'bitch here on Long Island if anyone is interested. I have looked. I even posted something a while ago on PR and no takers. The internet has really been a boon to my sewing with all the encouragement and advice .
I did have one, my friend Sue who was supposed to go to PR Weekend with me last November. She had to cancel at the last minute unfortunately. We were supposed to "reconnect" and rejuventae her love for sewing.
She used to be a SAHM but went back to school for a year to become an ultrasound technician. She got a full-time job after graduation and has little time to sew now.
Unfortunately, I only see her occasionally now. Other than Sue, I don't know of anyone who sews like me. I consider quilters to be quilters and not sewers, and there are a lot of quilters in my area. An acquaintance of mine (actually a good friend of Sue's) owns the fabric store in our town. She sews clothes and home dec and does alterations, however, I'm not that close with her to call her a friend.
So, I guess the answer is more of a no. But I'd sure love to go to a S&B!
I only have one, who is my MIL and she lives next door. Even so, I only see her a few times a week at church, no less. Other than that, thank God for the internet!
I love your weekly polls too. They give me something to think about. I prayed for a sewing friend for months and God sent me one. I feel blessed to have made contact with her and as a matter of fact met her through blogging. After finding out that we lived close to each other-we reached out and now we are friends. Meeting people over the net is somewhat scary, but I wanted a friend and so did she so it has worked out nicely.
We started out by meeting for lunch and a fabric store trip in her town. We've had three sew alongs so far with another one planned for next weekend. Our sew alongs are starting to grow so that will add more knowledge and give us more help (help especially for me).
It is so great to have someone to share this passion for sewing with. It makes me feel sad to know that others want sewing friends but have not found them yet. Hopefully they are right around the corner for you.
Isn't it funny that most of us are all alone? I am currently trying to convert two other friends. I have one hooked but she has two small kids so time is hard to find. She has the drive to do it though. The other friend is so-so on the garment sewing. She is crafy but this is not her passion. Thank God for the Internet.
Alas, me too! I am always trying to encourage my friends to begin sewing (or resume sewing) but no one seems to have the interest. It would be nice to have some one locally to share my enthusiasm but I'm so thrilled to have my internet community of friends!
How I wish I had real life sewing friends! Thank goodness for the internet.
I don't think it's so surprising that most of us who post don't have face to face sewing friends...if we did, would we be posting as much, or even at all?
Y'know we should get together and have lunch! I mean I'm in the city 5x a week...lunch, dinner? Let me know!
Love that vintage image? Are you able to share or is it under copyright?
My sisters all sew, but not clothes!
~Mary~
I'm fortunate to have several people near whom I see two or three times a month. Of course, we share experience and skills.
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