Joys of hand stitching
I’m a collector of sewing machines. I have loved a few sewing machines—the mid-century Necchi that was a gift when I graduated with my Master’s degree. The pristine Singer 201-2 that my sweetie and I found on our honeymoon. The Merrow overlocker that’s built with glorious precision and, dare I say it, purrs.
I love sewing with these machines, and putting them through their paces. I find it really gratifying to make beautiful buttonholes with the attachment on my old Singers; I like seeing my 1970s Viking make fancy stitches. I’m impressed with the ways my modern serger and coverstitch machine make easy work of sewing and finishing tee shirts. For years, since opening Make It Sew, I probably sewed on a machine every day.
Hand sewing class tools at A Gathering of Stitches
At a retreat this summer, I learned, with a group of about 10 women, to each sew a top entirely by hand. It’s a wonderful simple pattern/design, and we spent a day sitting around a long table chatting as we stitched. We shared tools and stories, learning about each other and ourselves.
I came home didn’t turn on a sewing machine for what seemed like weeks. All I wanted to do was hand sew. I made another top just like the one I had made at the retreat. I found another style of top whose designer suggests hand stitching all the seam finishes… I took it another step and hand sewed the entire thing.
Hand stitches, side seam of pullover top
And then there was the hand-stitched needle book class that we did recently. Susan Brady led students through decorative and functional hand stitches to complete small books to hold our needles. We did it in the sunshine on a beautiful early fall day and enjoyed one another’s company.
Completed needle books | Image courtesy Mackenzie Brooks
I’m not a quilter, really, but you can bet I’ll be there to soak up Jessica Alexandrakis’s knowledge when she brings the Traveling Quilting Bee to Lexington on November 7—and then teaches an English Paper Piecing class at the shop on Nov. 8. There’s still room and we’ve love for you to join us.
Katherine Ferrier was there at the retreat this summer. She led her contemplative writing workshop until a storm drove us away. And I’m so pleased to have Katherine teaching that same workshop here on November 12—writing along with hand work. I’ll bring my hand sewing. What will you bring?
Improve Patchwork | Image courtesy Katherine Ferrier
Her Improv patchwork class on Nov. 13 uses sewing machines, but on Sunday, the felted landscapes she will teach us to make will include some hand stitching. Read more about these classes here.
I do enjoy stitching in front of the TV on evenings — or in front of the fireplace, when there’s one available. But it is really nice to stitch in the company of other makers, and I hope you’ll join us for some of these wonderful classes in November.