I enjoy cooking and I think I'm pretty good at it. But I don't think it's really all that hard. My philosophy has always been "I read, therefore I cook." I figure any literate person with at least an average measure of common sense can read a recipe and put dinner on the table.
Recently I've learned that this philosophy does NOT apply to sewing. And it was extremely disappointing to me to come to this realization.
I admit I haven't done much sewing in my life. The last project I attempted was at a Relief Society Super Saturday a few years ago when I tried to make an "easy" tote bag out of two fabric placemats--the results of which are unfinished and stuffed in a plastic bin somewhere in my basement. Before that, I made a table cloth for my kids' craft table. And by "made" I mean, I bought some fabric and hemmed the two rough edges so that they wouldn't fray.
But deep inside of me I believed that I don't sew because I've never really tried and well, because I don't own a sewing machine. I though that if I ever really attempted it I could figure it out.
Ah, the lies we tell ourselves.
This week I endeavored to make doll clothes for my daughter's American Girl doll that she got for Christmas. You know, the doll she had to have. The doll that she's been obsessed with getting for two years. The doll she "just needed" (her actual words). I could justify getting her the exact doll she wanted, pricey as it was, but I am not about to buy all of the accessories and clothes and furniture and sports equipment and pets (yes, pets) that go along with it. But we all know that half the fun of playing with dolls is dressing them up. And my sweet girl has been a really good sport about trying to make do with the clothes she has for her other dolls even though none of them actually fit her new doll. I promised her we could get some other outfits. I knew that my mom has yards and yards of fabric remnants so I thought we could just find a pattern and whip up a set of pajamas, maybe a dress or two and have a little fun doing it. More lies.
Consequently we now have the fabric and the pattern but I'm finding I ain't got no skills!
I wasn't aware that sewing had it's own language. I read and re-read the pattern and kept thinking to myself "those words look like English, how come I have absolutely no comprehension of that entire paragraph."
I swear I used to be smarter.
So I guess I've discovered yet ANOTHER thing I need to actually make a conscious effort to learn--just like playing the guitar or tennis or applying eyeliner. I'm not sure why I thought sewing would come naturally to me, few things ever do.
Or I guess I could just forget the whole thing. The doll outfits made by the knock-off brands only cost about $12.
I think my sanity is worth more than twelve bucks!
6 comments:
I'm a sewer (or at least I like to make quilts and aprons and coasters and such!) but I'm scared to death of clothes... especially tiny doll clothes. I totally support you buying them!
My sister-in-law, who sews would tell me "just don't look too close" at something she had made. And some things that look great from a distance don't look so great up close. I would just stick with things that require straight stitches and you will get it- just don't look too close.
You don't have to be good at everything, you know. I'm totally illiterate when it comes to sewing, too. Can't even tell how the pieces are supposed to fit together. And that's ok. It's not worth all the frustration.
Yes, I would have to say that if you are going to try and begin sewing, your first project should definitely not be doll clothes- they are ten times more difficult that larger items. I have given up sewing for the most part- for the longest time the only thing I ever made was Halloween costumes. I vote for the purchasing power of someone else's (or a machine's) handy work!
Sarah, I'm proud of you for trying.
I can totally relate to this. I have "tricked" myself into many a sewing projects through the years. I always start with "how hard can that be" attitude and finish( or give up) with what in the world was I thinking?! Ps- have you seen the doll clothes at the doll store at Gardner village? They are very cute and with a coupon, I think their price is fair.
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