What Sewing Means to Me - Part Two

I'm so glad you enjoyed the thoughts of our fellow International Sewists! They are an awesome group of women making amazing garments.

This next group of sewists inspire me with their creativity and are all US based. When I was thinking of how to break these posts down and share them, I thought of several ways but ended up using global destinations so that ALL of them would shine.

Obviously I admire how they work, what inspires them and the final garments that they share with us on social media.  My hope is that you will learn something new about them and/or meet them for the first time!

This group of sewists starts with ~

Andrea who has a quite a list of social media links that will be at the end of her quote ~

"Sewing to me represents FREEDOM.  The freedom to create my own look, when I want it irrespective of all fashion fads, trends, expectations and commonalities. The freedom to be myself, inside as well as outside...the freedom to wear what I like and not be concerned about limitations or expectations.  Sewing means PEACE. The peace of mind you get from being in your own space mentally.  This is my world and I control this part of my universe.  To me sewing gives me that which no human can give nor take away."

Follow Andrea on her blog, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Periscope

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Anita was another find on Instagram.  Here are her thoughts ~

"Sewing is my THING!  After putting it aside for many years to raise my children, I have returned and it has become more than I ever imagined.  I get so much satisfaction from going into my studio and creating something to wear for a special occasion.  Whenever my husband says we're going on this date or that getaway, I get so excited because, first of all, I love dating him, AND I get to make a new outfit. I also find sewing to be very therapeutic for me, because it helps me to refocus when I'm sad or hurt, or just not in the best mood. These are the times when my creative juices just take over and usher me into a different place, a place of peace and calm.  Finally, sewing presents me with so many opportunities to reach out and encourage other women.  I am so in awe at how God is using this beautiful gift of sewing to open up a dialog between women, creating bonds and an amazing sisterhood.  Meeting so many women through this sewing community is really the BEST part of being a seamstress."

Anita's social media links are her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. 

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Bianca who blogs at Thanks I made them! with an Instagram account of the same name says ~

"Growing up sewing was always a necessary presence in my life. My mother sewed most of our clothes especially school uniforms.  Sewing was always utilitarian, and not necessarily a fun or creative outlet.  In college and after, I made what I needed, not what I wanted.  When I had my first child, sewing became a way to be creative and have fun dressing my mini-me. It was a way to reconnect with sewing and develop my passion with my mother.  In the years since her sudden passing, sewing has become my grief therapy.  I sew her wonderful vintage patterns, use her vibrant stash and practice her precision with her sewing tools and notions.  Sewing is the link to my mother and a foundation of creativity."

I don't know about you but that answer touched me soooooo much!

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Claudine who blogs at Rolling In the Cloth and whose Instagram account is the same name answers the question this way ~

"For me, sewing started out being about the stuff, but now it's more about the community. Stuff being, the clothes I wanted but I could not afford. When I started sewing, before the Internet, I had no idea that there might be OTHER PEOPLE out there who do this kind of thing for fun. Then in the 1990s, I found Sewingworld.com, which was my introduction to this wonderful community of which Carolyn, you and me are all a part. When I talk to other sewists in person or online, I feel like I'm with people who GET me in ways that the general population does not. And for that I'm grateful."

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If you're on Instagram, you know Deborah as debek301, Design Development Director at Simplicity Pattern Company. Here are Deb's thoughts ~

"Sewing is my multi tasker. The creative process and results are part of a much larger equation. I have been lucky to build a career around this passion and I am rewarded by it everyday in many ways.  But at the heart of my love of this craft is my need for the doing - it is my meditation, my recharge, my quiet time. All the 'stuff' of it adds to the feeding of my senses - a swish of charmeuse, a touch of a textured damask, a perfectly sewn French seam. Sewing = energy = peace. Sewing feeds my soul. And in a more down to earth way, fills my closet with clothing that is unique and well made."

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Instagram is my social media of choice and I found Eryn there. I love her style and her helpful blog posts. Eryn says ~

"Sewing means more to me than stitching fabric together.  Sewing is about carving out time for my self-care where I am not a mother, wife, worker bee, or any of the many hats I wear on a daily basis. I love carving out time to do something that is solely for me that feeds my creativity, gives me space to just 'be with myself' and makes me feel great. The bonus is that I get some unique and amazing clothing for myself!"

Check Eryn out on these social sites ~ blog, Instagram, Facebook

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I've been following Faye's sewing for years...so here's what Faye has to say ~

"God created us in his own image; He created us as co-creators. I use to think that I wasn't a creative person AT ALL; but finally realized that sewing IS my creative force; it's my creative outlet. I can't sing, I can't draw, but I can sew. Sewing is my passion, my relaxation mechanism, and it calms me after a stressful day. I simply must create, therefore I sew!"

Follow Faye on these sites, her blog, Instagram and Pinterest.

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I watched in awe as this next sewist won the "Rippin' Ain't Easy" contest last year. I've been following her ever since because her sewing is so inspiring - it's Michelle of That Black Chic!

"Sewing is art and art is freedom, so freedom is what sewing means to me.  Freedom to create things with my own bare hands.  Freedom to take a piece of fabric, mold it, cut it, twist it, color it, weave it and stitch it into whatever I want it to be. Yup that's what sewing means to me and I love sharing my freedom!"

Michelle's social links are blog, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter

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I've started following Robin when I found her on an internet sewing board. Here are Robin's thoughts ~

"In a practical sense, sewing means freedom - to wear the colors I like and the styles I prefer, and made in the fabrics that suit me best. Sewing affects my lifestyle, too.  Many years ago, my primary creative outlet was playing music. But as I got older and my responsibilities grew, I no longer wanted to be out of the house on weekend nights to play music.  How wonderful it was to realize that I could get the same 'creative fix' from a sewing project. 

Then there are the social aspects of sewing. By seeking out other sewing enthusiasts, I have also found friendship.  Lastly, there is contentment. Sewing soothes me. There is nothing better than ducking into the sewing room to lose myself in the process of cutting, pinning, stitching and pressing each seam. I am so lucky to have such a multi-purpose hobby."

Robin's social media links are blog, Instagram and Pinterest.

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There were several words that stuck out to me from the quotes above, "freedom, contentment, creativity, and fun." Aren't those words that most of us would use to describe this craft we love so much?!

I have one final post and it's my sewing friends words on "What Sewing Means to Me!" I'm thrilled to call all of these women friend because they mean so much to me.

Lastly, there are only 2 more days left in September.  If you haven't already taken advantage of the discounts that were offered this month, here they are again.

Simplicity Patterns ~
20% off your total order from Simplicity patterns using the code "FANATIC16"

The Dutch Label Shop ~
15% off your order at The Dutch Label Shop using the code "carolyn". I know that a few of you have already received your labels. If you could leave a link in the comments, sharing a pic of your new labels that would be great! 

Style Maker Fabrics ~
10% off your order plus $5 shipping ($5 off International orders) from Style Maker Fabrics using the code "SEWSEPT". I also know that some of you have already used the discount, so please share pics of your new fabrics by leaving a link in the comments section! Also, don't forget the Style Maker Fabrics Fall Style Blog Tour that is still in effect.

I don't know about you but it seems as if this month has flown by...just one more post to celebrate National Sewing Month...

...as always more later!