One of the things on my list this year is to learn to use a sewing machine - it was on last years' list too but I didn't get the chance - however this year I really do think it'll be the year I conquer the sewing machine as my youngest child is due to start school in September so for the first time in 6 years I might actually find myself with some me time to do one of the things on my (rather large, mostly crafts) list! I tried to use a sewing machine in school but my sewing attempts on a simple cushion cover were rather wonky and full of over stretched patches and uneven stitches! I have a sewing machine hidden in my inlaws loft - it's from 1982 and used to be my mums - I last tried to use it about 10 years ago but I couldn't get it to work - I'm going to have another go but it's likely that my birthday hint will be swapping from a kitchenaid free standing mixer (this has been on my list for 8 years by the way!) to a sewing machine! I have to say all the current ones are smaller, lighter and can do far more than the one from the early 80's I've got waiting to try!
It appears I'm not alone in the sewing machine challenge - Hobbycraft (my favourite craft haven) have revealed that sewing machine sales are up 75% year on year, along with sales increases in both fabric (38% increase) and thread (13% increase).
With the return of The Great British Sewing Bee (season 3 currently on the BBC) Hobbycraft are predicting they will sell a whopping 40,000 reels of cotton, 55,000 metres of fabric and 4000 sewing machines while the programme is on air!
I'm a fan of all the handy kits you can get from Hobbycraft and I'm in love with this adorable Kitty Purse kit from the Kirstie Allsopp collection - and the kits for young children are great! My little boy is in the sewing club at school - he's 5 - he wanted to do it because he's also creative and because it's his old reception teacher who takes the club, I was in support because sewing is excellent for fine motor skills which makes it a great activity for young children :)
I don't normally do celeb gossip - I'm the last person you'd see browsing the pages of Hello but I'm loving the number of celebrity sewing fans - just look at these snippets! ;)
• Cara Delevigne spotted knitting backstage at LFW
• Gwen Stefani and • Eva Longoria have both confessed to be dab hands with needles and thread.
• George Clooney is rumoured to have rescued a date after her zip broke by stitching up the back of her dress.
• Katie Holmes received a sewing machine for her birthday.
•Julia Roberts is reported to be taking sewing lessons.
• and Chris Martin enjoys sewing his own clothes stating "It gives us some control over our visual identity"
Google also revealed that both Knitting and Crochet featured in the most searched for "how to" terms for 2014
- knitting or crochet is also on my list of skills I'd like to learn - I knitted in my tweenie/teens and I've attempted crochet - I have an impressive Craft Pinboard of ideas waiting to be attempted!
I recently picked up needle and threads and started cross stitching again - another skill I used to do in my Tweens/Teens - my mum still has some cross stitch cards I made when I was about 14 :) I'm currently making a cross stich monogram keyring ... for my mum!
Ahh cross stitch is my nemesis!!! I did a big birth sampler for my son and I'm partway through a second birth sampler for number 2.... not as easy this time round!!! It will be on my blog in the next week how I'm getting on and they are the only photos I have to show off!!
ReplyDeleteLaura @ Life with Baby Kicks
I would love to be able to sew and knit. My mum said she will teach me to knit. I can't wait
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have another go but it's likely that my birthday hint will be swapping from a kitchenaid free standing mixer (this has been on my list for 8 years by the way!) to a sewing machine! I have to say all the current ones are smaller, lighter and can do far more than the one from the early 80's I've got waiting to try! best beginner sewing machine
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