Sewing -- A Simple Way To Relax And Be Creative

Sewing came back into my life inadvertently this past month. I haven't sewn anything since I was a teenager. My mom used to encourage me to sew my own summer clothes, and that I did on several occasions. Recently she (my mom) gave me a singer sewing machine. I looked at it and thought that I would have to spend ample time familiarizing myself with it once again. It looked a little daunting to me so I put it up in the closet for a day or two, then something inside of me called me to it. I pulled it out of it's ivory tower and set it up at my desk. I had some African fabric from Nigeria that I pulled from the closet..strung up the sewing machine and went to work. To my great surprise I fell into step as if no time had passed between sewing the bag and the summer clothes all those years ago. How to string/prep the machine for sewing came flooding back in a rush. I smiled to myself and made a bag in less than an hour. My daughter was grinning from ear to ear when I finished and the bag was instantly hers...she lay claim to it and hasn't put it down since. I found that I enjoyed cutting the fabric, piecing the bag together and being creative. Instantly I realized it was a wonderful form of relaxation and expression...six bags later I have made sewing a new part of my journey!

After the first bag was finished we ventured into creating something for little girls designed in part by myself and in part by Jolie. She calls the bag the "Lulu" Bag...its the perfect size according to her for her ipod and tiny toys. She decided the front should have a happy face sewn on with buttons...so off we went to the arts and craft section of a department store and found these great jars of buttons...all kinds of different shapes and sizes. First we took an old shirt of her fathers and some end pieces of a white linen fabric left over from shortening a dress I had lying around. We cut small squares matching in size of both fabrics. We cut the strips from the front of the shirt for handles and choose the buttons that would become the all important happy face on the front of the bag. I sewed the buttons onto the front piece of linen fabric cut for the bag then the handles were sewn onto the inside of each panel -- front and back. I sewed the squares of pre cut fabric together making sure the outside of the bag was facing the inside while sewing. Finally, I turned the bag inside out to complete what we now call the "Lulu" Bag. Jolie Lulu was thrilled so now she carries around two bags where ever she goes, the first larger African print pouch bag and her "Lulu" Bag that houses her precious ipod and small toys!!! We had a great time making the bag together...I found that this process not only gave mother and daughter a beautiful way to connect but I also found myself completely relaxed and peaceful! There's nothing better!!

Some of the other bags I made included a small linen pouch which is perfect for my phone, keys and small wallet inspired by the "Lulu" Bag but a grown up version for me...a computer bag with short handles that fits perfectly around my computer and it's case (it can also fit my charger cable as well) and a little sack with denim and scraps from the same old shirt we used for the "Lulu" Bag for one of Jolie's best friends. Also included in the photos is a picture of the first bag I made with the African fabric! I definitely think I will be making a lot of bags as gifts especially with Christmas around the corner!

Finding inspiration and relaxation through sewing came as if out of thin air...the simplest things can make for the greatest enjoyment...sometimes we go so far out of our way to be creative with our kids and ourselves we forget that something as simple as sewing buttons on a bag can make life speak in volumes. I am so grateful that I have kept myself open to the simple and elegant things in life...