Bust out the needle and thread, it's National Sewing Month!

✯ Day 246 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

When it comes to sewing, I make no claims about being an expert. I’ve got the basics down, have sewn a few garments in my life, and know my way around a fabric store, but I'm not a skilled seamstress, as I know many of you are.

At the moment I don't own a sewing machine, but it's on my "dream wish list", so hopefully one of these days the sewing machine fairy will deliver one my way!

Nevertheless, just because I don't have a sewing machine doesn't mean that I don't love sewing - because I definitely do. Presently, the bulk of my sewing is hand sewing that I incorporate into my scrapbook pages and homemade cards, as well as my (lifelong) passion for cross stitching. (Ohhh, and stack - that mysteriously seems to get a little taller with each passing year - of vintage sewing patterns, tucked away for that day when a sewing machine comes to fruition.)

So, you may be wondering, what has me thinking about sewing today? That would be the fact that September is National Sewing Month. First launched in 1982 with a proclamation from President Reagan, who declared September to be National Sewing Month, "In Recognition of the importance of home sewing to our nation."

Though Mr. Reagan was speaking about the US, there's no reason why this month of celebrating the importance of sewing can't be extended to crafters and seamstresses the world over.

Whether you love to sew yourself, are a fan or buying handmade sewing projects, or just enjoy items with sewing notion motifs on them, there's a place on the spectrum of sewing for everyone.

With September's arrival this week, many of us just weeks (or even days) away from a noticeable switch from summer to autumn weather, which means that we'll likely be spending more time inside again, our thoughts traveling to fun, crafty sewing projects we can delve into while the weather turns ever nastier

To quote the official National Sewing Month website, "National Sewing Month is a time to indulge your passion for sewing and is the perfect opportunity to introduce yourself to the craft if you’ve never tried it before. New and experienced enthusiasts can find free sewing projects and Guidelines for sewing, embroidery, craft and appliqué articles available on the Sewing & Craft Alliance (SCA) website at www.sewing.org. Looking for an instructor? Try the SCA searchable instructor database to find one in your area.

Another place to start is the American Sewing Guild. With chapters and neighborhood groups across the country, members meet monthly to share their skills and ideas, enjoy education sessions and participate in community sewing projects.

September is a time to celebrate our passion, but we know the creative, therapeutic and calming effects of sewing are joys that we can celebrate throughout the entire year. Happy sewing!"

Isn't that heartwarmingly lovely? I certainly think so. I really like the fact that sewing fans and enthusiasts of any skill level can use September as an excellent chance to connect with this timeless, valuable art form which has so many practical, beautiful applications.

{If sewing alone seems a little dull, why not gather a group of your besties and throw together a good, old fashioned - entirely vintage approved - sewing party? More advanced sewers can help novices and every stands to gather inspiration from one another's projects and ideas. 1954 photo of college students sewing from DigitalProjectsUNCG on Flickr.}

Tell me, sweets dears, what role does sewing have your life and your memories? Will you be using September to jump into a new sewing project - or keep working on an ongoing one?

I'm personally stoked about the fact that it's National Sewing Month and am going to look for lots of fun ways (from using sewing themed products on some of my paper crafting creations to better organizing my tiny collection of buttons) to keep sewing at the forefront of my mind all September long.