Sewing, and quilting in particular, still have that "old lady stigma" sort of like knitting 10 years ago (even though I don't actually feel that way). Perhaps that's my hang up. There's so many people in my life who know my hobbies....then there's this other side who have no clue. All that said, sewing is clearly heading down knitting's path to "cool" for lack of a much better term. Still, I've kept it to myself.
Until today.
Instead of feeling liberated, I feel at little insecure - thinking about all the information out there about me. I also feel bad, like I've been hiding something. As my husband would say, "you over-analyze everything!" He's right. It's done. And it's not a big deal. And they are my friends. And now my two worlds collide.
Hi guys!
In other news: this baby is flinging it's way around the world as we speak.
Want to make your own? I made a foundation paper pattern in inDesign. Feel free to download it here. As usual, there's a per day download limit so if you aren't able to download, try again the next day. Or shoot me an email and I'll send it to you.
The template makes a 6" finished block (6.5" with seam allowance). I added one inch on each side of the pillow to bring the finished size to 20". The binding was an after-though because I sewed wrong-side to wrong-side then cut the corners before I noticed. What was I saying about not being ashamed of my sewing skills? hmm. Anyway, The thought of picking it apart and matching my crooked-corner-cuts made me feel a little nauseated. So, I decided to add binding instead - and I think I prefer the look! It adds a nice finish. Perhaps I'll use it more often.
So, back to the original topic. Do you tell people that you sew? Only select people? Only those who find out by accident? Only those who Google you? I'd love to know.
Posts
I only mention it if I think the person won't judge me as having an " old lady" hobby. I think very few people get it.
ReplyDeleteI tell everybody- lol. OK, not strangers but everyone I know knows... I love that I have this new found passion for something and that I enjoy and love to create.
ReplyDeleteNow, you my dear, should tell the world because you are so good at what you do.
That pillow is stunning as usual! Your way with color and fabrics and placement rocks. Thank you for the template- saved it and can't wait to try it.
Love the binding too. That adds a nice finishing touch.
Keep at it girl!
xo
I mention it to a lot of people. I get excited about what i'm sewing, so if someone asks me what i'm up to that evening/weekend and i'm planning to sew I'll tell them. Or if they say they like something i'm wearing and i made it i'll tell them.
ReplyDeleteSome people ask if the quilting guild i'm a member of is old ladies and I tell them that no, there's plenty of members my own age.
I've even converted some of my friends to giving sewing a try
I flaunt it in my tattoos- I love my hobby!
ReplyDeleteYou should flaunt it too- you are so good!
I don't go out of my way but I love my hobby and I am happy to share. I used to be way more open about it then people started asking me to make things and fix thing....I really don't enjoy that.
ReplyDeleteomg, YES!!! I so relate :)
DeleteI had no idea that knitting is perceived as cooler than sewing. i always think of knitting as much more granny... but that's probably because I'm a sewer :) Anyway, I don't mind telling people about it at all, if it comes up. Most people think it's cool, even if a bit unexpected given my age. (20's) But like Regena, I do not like being asked to fix or make things for people, so I'm a little guarded if that's a danger.
ReplyDeleteOld lady stuff? I've possessed the "specialty" skill to sew all my life. Always when people learned that I knew how to sew/quilt were always impressed and envious for the most part. Yes, there are the anoying ones who want something altered in some way, but they are few and far between. I hope you soon find a comfort zone with the "specialty skill" you possess.
ReplyDeleteAnnie
People who have received gifts (very few close family) know I made them, BUT other than my husband and children, no-one quite knows the scale and definitely don't know I blog about it!
ReplyDeleteI think I was scared what people would thing, when I first started out, and now I have been doing it s while - it seems a little late to say - but that said, I don't tell people (ie. work colleagues) what I do outside of work anyway.
You are not alone!
I love that pillow - maybe I'll just tell people about you! xxx
I love that pillow Tamiko, I may have to make one for myself, thanks for sharing the template!
ReplyDeleteMost anyone I know, knows about my little dirty secret. It's usually my friends that tell random strangers about what I do. I was horrified when my Mr. proudly told one of his work mates 'yeah she's a quilter' lol! Ruined my street rep. as you can imagine ;-)
The pillow is so vibrant! Love it!
ReplyDeleteMy sewing life is the side of me a lot of people don't see- I don't think they are very interested and a lot of people just don't get it and the international/swap side of things. It feels like an alter ego but the one that is closer to me!
I'm loving that pillow and the pure genius of binding them! I had an utter penny dropping moment when I read that (I have "issues" with piping!)
ReplyDeleteI'm 31 with tattoo's and pink hair so I kind of get a kick out of the funny look on peoples faces when I tell them I quilt :) and to be honest I really don't care too much if they think it's "old lady" anyway so I tend to sing and dance about what ever I'm making because I enjoy it :)
I am an old lady I guess and just don't care what people think! That's the great thing about getting older - the freedom to enjoy stuff! I have had a request to make curtains and told the person I don't do that sort of sewing!
ReplyDeleteMy dirty secret is the blogging - some of my age group cannot see the sense of that!
first of all, i'm surprised that you have a hard time telling people! you're so talented!
ReplyDeleteas far as your question goes, i do tell people - not just randomly, though - that i sew or quilt. and i think the main reason i do that IS BECAUSE, like you said, it has a kind of granny reputation. i think there needs to be an uprising of young, modern quilters, so i don't hide it! sorry, i'm in the middle of reading "hunger games" so the word "uprising" is in regular use in my vocabulary these days. :)
i do tell people if it comes up in conversation. it's a huge part of my life. it'd feel weird not saying anything.
ReplyDeletealso, the pillow is sweet. thanks for sharing your foundation block.
i'm relatively closeted about my crafts but mostly because i don't like to talk to people in general and when you say you sew/knit/whatever, people like to ask questions.
ReplyDeleteI lead a double life!! As an academic I am assumed to have NO LIFE other than teaching-research-writing...even the husband-and-kids bit is assumed to be a kind of add-on, so I think my colleagues would be baffled if they knew how immersed I am in the worlds of sewing and quilting. I would like to integrate these two realities -- and write about sewing -- but I have several big research projects to finish up first. So for the time being I'll remain in the closet. (It's okay: there's a lot of nice fabric in there!)
ReplyDeleteI like the binding for sure! What I don't tell people in real life is that I'm a blogger, like a serious blogger. I've said "I'm a professional blogger" before, but it felt really silly.
ReplyDeleteI quilt and I'll tell anyone that will listen ;)
ReplyDeleteI openly share that I'm a crafter, but like knottygnome said, I don't volunteer it to just anyone! Who knows what can of worms that would open?
ReplyDeleteYour newest pillow is awesome! No surprise, there. :)
I mention it because it usually just comes out somehow. I didn't realize sewing had an 'old lady' stigma though, ha!
ReplyDeleteYour pillow is AWESOME. I love the fabrics and composition. I found your blog recently through the Suzuko Koseki flickr group. Love it!
I have the advantage of several years on you. They say with age comes wisdom so I advise you to tell everyone you sew. You shouldn't waste your time on a hobby you can't be proud of doing. Your work is beautiful and inspiring to many people. Others brag about their golf handicap or that fish they almost pulled in, your sewing accomplishments are equally noteworthy and much longer lasting. Besides, sewing is "hip" again!
ReplyDeleteI love this post! My family and friends all know but I don't tell people at work. Like you I think that if I say that I quilt they'll think I make horrendously twee things that some crafters on the tv make. The few times when I have said I can sew clothes my colleagues are really surprised and say they would never have thought that of me, so imagine the surprise if I said I quilt! My justification is that my sewing and quilting is for me, it's my down time, my creative time, it's nothing to do with work and the stress that can be attached to work and frankly I'd rather keep them quite separate! Unless of course I could sew for a living, now there's a dream I'm sure a lot of us have!
ReplyDeleteI've been sewing since I was 8; I'm 67, now. Everyone knows I sew. Quilting is brand new to me, 2 1/2 years, and everyone knows I quilt. I'm kinda out there. Who cares!
ReplyDeleteomg THIS PILLOW IS EVERYWHERE!!! And I was like...this MUST BE TAMIKO'S!!! I KNEW IT!!! You are so inspiring, this pillow is AMAZING! I want to make one!!! I rarely tell people I sew, I'm not sure why. Oh wait. It's because every year the week before Halloween everyone sends me facebook messages asking to make costumes...hahaha ;);)
ReplyDeleteOkay, I really get what you are saying. Most people don't "get" the quilt thing and I have had people say I have old-fashioned skills, call me domestic or Granny. Nonetheless, I refuse to let that stop me from being genuine and expressing who I am; I just save my gushing over the newest must-have fabric or pattern for the quilty/crafty people in my life.
ReplyDeleteLook in the mirror and say, "I am a talented quilter and I am not going to hide it anymore, cuz that is who I am!" p.s. to self: "and I am a pretty awesome quilter, at that!"
Chin up chickie!
your pillow is fantastic! you should shout it from the rooftops :)
ReplyDeleteif my local mom or dad friends and kids come over, they can see that i have piles of fabric in nearly every room of the house and other piles of fabric or blocks to mail. if other people (that wouldn't understand crafty hobbies) ask me what i'm "up to" i usually say that i've been sewing a lot. sometimes i try to explain what a bee is, but the eyes quickly glaze over. if a non-sewing friend actually looks at my work and then asks how i have the time, i freely admit that i skip sleep and cooking and cleaning....
I totally know what you mean about not telling people. I've been at it a few years, so I'd say most of my friends do know, but I've started a new job and there's a lady here who loves to send information about upcoming craft shows and I feel like there's a chance to bring it up...but why would I? It does give me a weird self-promoting vibe that I guess I just don't feel like bringing upon myself. Or I recently designed an ad for work that was comprised of a bunch of book covers put side by side, so of course my sewing experience came in handy when it came to juxtaposing images. Someone at work said, "it's like a quilt!" and still I didn't say anything:) But I'm happy for your newfound sense of liberation!
ReplyDeleteI definitely tell people that I sew. I have a few buttons that say "i heart handmade" that I keep on the dresses I've made and I have my sewing machine tattooed on my arm so that brings up the topic. Most people are surprised to hear that I'm a quilter but the stigma is changing, one of us at a time! I'm glad you came out with it! Be proud!
ReplyDeletethank you for the download... i love your pillow!!
ReplyDeleteI don't share it, though my career most of my adult life was a fashion designer (I've taken the past two years off to be with my kiddos before they are both in school.)
ReplyDeletePeople are very receptive to that and want to know about my glamorous career (ha, ha, - so not!) but it is definitely not perceived as "sewing"
I went to a more technical school so I spent most of my time there sewing.
Most of my friends know I sew but I don't really talk about it. And they know I have a blog since it is in my signature at the bottom of my emails.
I think you should share your talent. You'd be surprised how many people (most, I think) would think it was amazing!!!
Lastly, I did a 3 month contract job at a major fashion company a few years back. I was going for a full time design job and my blog helped land me the job. They were impressed that I did creative things outside of work.
So....sorry for rambling....but I'd share it.
You should be so proud of your talent!
You never know where it will take you : )
I'm a little like you and am sometimes a little relunctant to tell people what my hobbies are.
ReplyDeleteI'm a 22 year old stay at home mum who knits, crochets and sews! Some of my friends know that I make things, but people always look So shocked when they ask where I got my babies blankets from and I say I made them myself. Sometimes I enjoy surprising people, but other times I feel a little embarrassed.
Ashley xxx
Your cushion cover is gorgeous!!
Have you ever read The Cuckoo's Egg - by Clifford Stoll
ReplyDeleteThis book is subtitled, "Tracking a Spy Through the Maze of Computer Espionage." And, it is a delight. His wife is a lawyer in school and he is a Berkeley U Physics lab genius. Guess what they they talk about ? School stuff. Guess what they do while talking such techy stuff ? He helps her cut pieces to quilt together..I don't think Coco Channel felt old when she was making dresses also..Just a thought !!!Kool people , eccentric people quilt.
I'm popping in here from Fresh Lemon Quilts as she has your pillow pattern featured today! I'm downloading the template as we speak. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLots of people in my real life know that I sew/quilt, but I don't know if many realize just how much I do it! My family knows of course, and a few friends, but very few of my in real life friends even know I have a blog. I think I can identify with a lot of what you wrote!
I tell the world I sew. In this increasingly over techno'd world we need to keep the most simple basic skills going now more than ever. I'm proud that I can make something from nothing that No One Else Can (you guys know what I mean) , and YOU should be too!!! Keep that quiltin' head of yours held high.
ReplyDeleteSay it with me, say it loud.... We Quilt and We're Proud!
*grin*
Shannyn
I just ran in to your blog today. I too, have felt embarrassed that I sew. But in the last few years, I just make myself tell people. I'm like, who cares. Yes, the down side is people want you to make stuff for them.Like I don't have enough s$#% to do. Cook, clean, full-time job, mom. I barely have time to sew for me. I really have to learn to say no. I just started blogging about it and I love it! My peeps are here! When I told hubby I was blogging about it, he said "your such a nerd". I replied with an outburst"QUILTERS ARE COOL!" and stomped off. Really, he is proud of me. He tells people and shows them things I made. He just loooooves to give me a hard time:)
ReplyDeleteOh my! "old lady stuff", now you've said it!! Might be an 'old lady' but also consider myself a 'reborn Modern Sewist'. I love the Modern movement - it adds so much to my life.
ReplyDeleteAnd... as for the old lady thing...... sewing is a constant in my life and when I really just let my imagination 'go' when sewing it always takes me back to my teenage years and my old Kenmore sewing machine! So I guess that sewing always speaks to the 'girl' in me. I plan to become a very 'girly' old woman someday.
Have a great week and thanks for this beautiful inspiring project! So generous of you and so appreciated!!!
I do tell.
ReplyDeletethank you for the pattern. I'll give it a try.
ReplyDeleteSo much you wrote about keeping your hobby secret sounds familiar to me. I don't tell people that I sew. If someone asks whether I did a bag or so myself I blush and say yes. Why? I love to sew! I'm proud (okay, let's say, often I am) of what I sew. I enjoy it so so much. So why?
When I sew something useful and use it in public I hesitate to pull it out. I try to hide my fabric label that I sewed to the project to show that I did it... Ridicolous, isn't it? Again. Why? I don't know. I don't know the answer.
When someone says that he/she likes what I do or wishes he/she could make something his-/herself I blush again but am also proud that I'm able to and that someone likes it.
But maybe it's the experience that many people around me don't craft and don't understand what it means, that it's not inexpensive and so forth. Or that they don't like it? I don't remember. But I always hesitate.
Thanks for writing about it, it relived me.
I don't tell anyone. We are looking for a house right now and i cringe when my husband tell them I need a hobby room and they ask me what do you do, scrapbook? Just because I have three kids does not mean my only hobby can be scrapbooking. I makes me mad! Then I say 'No, I sew'. The response is always the same, "like clothes or something?" Still trying to figure out a snappy comment to that one.
ReplyDeleteI don't know your age, but since I am "old" now (60), I could kick myself for not doing more projects when I was younger. I have always been fasicinated by quilting and sewing, but let other things get in the way. I think I also thought it was for "old ladies". Shame on me! Now, there's so much I want to do and I am inspired seeing all the young (and older) ladies doing beautiful projects! I do talk about my projects if anyone will listen. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI tell whoever - I usually volunteer the information because I love it! And I find that most people are almost jealous that I have this talent, let's face it, sewing is definitely a talent. LOL
ReplyDeleteIt's general knowledge that I sew and quilt. It just shows! :)
ReplyDeleteDeborah
homemakerhoney @gmail .com