My Sewing Background

I have always loved to do creative stuff and usually cought on pretty well when learning new crafts or techniques. As a little girl I learned how to stitch, crochet and knit. I have made many little things and even a few clothing pieces for me.

When I was about 12, I spend a few weeks at my grandma's house. I was bored and was looking for some work to do. She had an old "feet-powered" sewing machine, but said it was broken and didn't want to sew. I asked, if I could try it out. She showed me how it was "supposed to work" and gave me a few needles. I played with that thing for days (broke several needles, but my patient grandma bought more) and finally got it to sew! It was amazing. Grandma used that machine for several years after I "fixed it". But I didn't really sew anything particular.

When I was about 16, I wanted to learn how to sew clothes for me. My mom had been sewing for us when we were little children, but didn't have much time then. So, she showed me how to copy a pattern from teh Burda magazine and explained the main sewing stitches and construction methods to me. She also gave me two little German sewing books she had. So, I experimented and one summer sewed a nice wardrobe for myself.

But then I grew and developed even more and suddenly none of the patterns fit. There were some major alterations needed (now I know I needed mostly a Full Bust Adjustment) and none of the things I made were really wearable (I picked the size by bust size and it didn't fit anywhere else). So, I gave up on sewing for me.

When spending a year in Germany as a young girl, I had a sewing class and learned some hand stitching and even made several crafts and an apron on a machine. But no clothing.

After I got married, from time to time I would have access to a sewing machine and I used it to make curtains, pillows, crafts, but not clothing. But in 2003, after having gained much after my 5th baby and not having any decent clothing suitable for nursing a baby in public, I decided to give sewing clothing one more try.

This time I had the privilege of an internet access and discovered a vast amount of sewing advice and many "friends", who although total strangers have been willing to help me with advice as well as patterns, fabric and notions.

A year and half later, I am realizing more than ever that I have to learn so much, but also that I should not be giving this up and treating it more as an important part of my life rather than just a hobby. Especially with having 4 growing daugthers and finding decent, affordable and modest clothing is such hard these days and where we live. So, I am looking forward to this adventure and hope to get better with each garmet I sew.

Natalija (February 2004)