Hobby vs Obsession

For those of you who don't know, I have only been sewing for a couple of years. I was shown, by my lovely friend, how to use a very basic sewing machine - and since then I have taught myself (through various inspirational blogs) how to sew. I LOVE it. I haven't really had a hobby that I really enjoyed before and I am relishing this one.

I have also developed a love of fabric (unsurprisingly). When I started sewing I only bought fabric for particular projects. I would then use the fabric for the project and that would be that. As my sewing has progressed, I like to have fabric "in stock" so that I can sew whenever I want, rather than having to go out and buy supplies before I can get going. This is my stash.

My stash is quite large, it takes a corner of my kitchen. There are some lovely pieces of fabric in there, I am not even sure I will ever be able to bear cutting it up.

This has made me wonder...when does an interest or hobby become an obsession? I visit places particularly to look at fabric shops, I read and re-read sewing books and magazines, I trawl sewing blogs often, I want to talk about sewing (I attempt to limit it to my crafting friends...but I have been known to bore strangers with my makes!), I buy fabric that I cant really afford and don't use it because it is too pretty.

What is your conclusion...has a hobby become an obsession? Is there a "Sewer's Anonymous" that I can join?

The Great British Sewing Bee

So, have you been watching it? I have, and I love it - it makes me a bit sad every time the episode finishes! I found a blog too - it is from Tilly (contestant to leave in episode 2) www.tillyandthebuttons.com, full of helpful tips, patterns and a lovely read :)

Anywho...I have been watching the sewers (or is it sewists), and have decided that I probably don't iron enough. For those of you who know me in real-life, you will know I don't iron. But as my sewing has progressed I have come to appreciate the difference that ironing makes to one of my sewn goodies.

On the Great British Sewing Bee the contestants iron...a lot. I think that this is to help flat fabric to curve nicely round the body when the item is sewn. I have promised myself that I will sew more clothes for me and my family (including my husband who I rarely sew for!)...I think that I am going to have to get myself a tailor's ham (is that right?!) to ensure that my sewn clothes fit beautifully!

Any ironing tips for me?

A bit of family sewing

I had a recent meet up with some family (I hadn't seen one of my cousins for 13 years!). It was so nice to meet up with everyone (and the meet all the new arrivals and husbands!).

I made some gifts.

For my cousin's 6 year-old girl I made a travel drawing wallet.

 

 

 I used my own pattern and, not surprisingly, it is a smidge tight! I think that once some of the paper from the pad has been used it will close better... (obviously the paper's fault and nothing to do with my measuring!).

 

For my other cousin's 10-month old son I used "sew like my mom's" tutorial for beanbags (check it out here). These were easy to make.

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

I really loved these once they were made, I used fleece or felt for the backing (depending on what colours I had in stock!). They are super tactile and the older children also enjoyed playing with them at lunch. They also have loads of learning opportunities - colours, textures, letters (or numbers) and of course throwing and catching! I will definitely make more.

 

I do wish that I had taken the time to actually applique around the edge of the letters to make them stand out more, but I was pushed for time.

 

Lastly I made a superhero cape for my cousin's 2 year old boy. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of that as it was finished late! But I have 2 more to make from some lucky boys in the village so I shall ensure I take pictures of them!

 

Another unicorn to be sewn so I will be picking the co-ordinating fabrics for that soon (I do enjoy choosing colour combinations!).