Do you have a button tin, a cottons box or a needle and thread stowed in a pincushion?
My first sewing basket - a gift from my mother when I was 8 years old.
Chances are you have some form of sewing equipment, even if it's just to sew on a button or fix a hem. A friend of mine was looking to start a hobby and decided to revive her sewing skills, something she hasn't done for years.
So off we went to a store that specialises in everything you could possibly need for sewing. And I was not surprised to see the place heaving with people queuing to buy fabric and dress patterns. Why? Because an enormous amount of pleasure comes from making something yourself. The patterns below are for a more advanced sewer, but even making a basic skirt or dress can be fun.
Dress patterns from Vogue's Vintage Collection, above and below.
Butterick Retro 1950's dress patterns.
The basics in any sewer's kit.
A mountain of sewing baskets just longing for a home!
A sewing basket can stay with you for a lifetime. What a lovely thought.
While not everyone is destined to sew their own clothes, discovering or even rediscovering your love for sewing is a bit like having a friend who loves to cook. Sure, you could go out to a restaurant, but the effort and love that goes into a home cooked meal is often remembered long after the event. Clothes are a bit like that too. Do you have a memory of something you once made, had made or had altered to fit you perfectly? I'm sure you do!
Enjoy your creative life, Jules