Sewing is a great form of expression and not to mention it is an incredibly useful skill. The skillset began during the industrial revolution in 1790 where Thomas Saint created the first working sewing machine. The machine was quickly adapted and many people had a sewing machine in their home.
Why should I sew?
Knowing how to sew, whether it be hand sewing or with a machine, provides you with a skill that can create and design endless items. And what it’s even better is you get the satisfaction of looking at your creations every day and knowing how much time and energy you put into them, and how great they turned out. Plus, sewing can open doors to a whole new profession and career. There is a plethora of careers that involve sewing and can open your world to design.
You can create:
- Your own clothing; dresses, pants, blouses, etc.
- Pillows or quilts for your bedroom
- Tapestries for your living room
- A new hand towel for your kitchen
- New dining room cushions
- Accessories like handbags, gloves, scarves, headbands, etc.
- Chic new curtains for your bathroom
The possibilities are endless with this skill and most of the time no one can ever tell the difference of whether or not you bought something or designed it yourself.
Where do I begin?
Of course, with starting a new skill there is always a learning curve. Sewing requires patience and you need to get to know the basics before anything else. Sewing machines can be quite expensive and there are different types. Industrial sewing machines are what designers, machine operators, and manufacturers use to create high-quality products at a quicker rate. Domestic sewing machines are normally used in homes and while they do create high-quality products they normally weigh less, cost less, and are built to be used in shorter durations with multiple changes occurring after use; different color threads, a new needle, or a new bobbin.
The bottom line is if you want to sew at home and you’re just starting to learn; buy a domestic sewing machine. You can get these at Target, Jo-Ann Fabrics, Home Depot, Michaels, or even at your local vintage or antique market.
If you’re a seasoned sewer or veteran and want to upgrade; get an industrial sewing machine. Some great brands are Pegasus, Singer, Brother, Janome, Juki, and Consew just to name a few.
