13 December, 2012

To Sew Successfully

You may have seen this before, it's been posted on other blogs and in newsletters over the last few years. I am posting it today, with my own commentary below, as you would probably expect!  From the pages of this (pictured) 1949 book, in a section called: "To Sew Successfully":

"Prepare yourself mentally for sewing. Think about what you are going to do. Never approach sewing with a sigh or lackadaisacally. Good results are difficult when indifference predominates. Never try to sew with a sink full of dirty dishes or with beds unmade. When there are urgent housekeeping chores, do those first so your mind is free to enjoy your sewing. While you sew, make yourself as attractive as possible. Put on a clean dress. Keep a little bag full of French chalk near your sewing machine to dust your fingers at intervals. Have your hair in order, powder and lipstick on.  If you are constantly fearful that a visitor will drop in or your husband will come home and you will not look neatly put together, you will not enjoy your sewing."
In today's world we care little about whether or not we'll be caught looking afright by a visitor who drops by unannounced or, even worse, our own husbands! A lot has changed since 1949, to be sure! We're not worried anymore about the clean dress, face powder or the French chalk; but, I wonder, isn't there some very valuable information hidden here that is all too easily laughed off? Wouldn't any task we approach benefit from the understanding that good results are difficult when indifference predominates? I believe that to be the truth. Although the words may seem archaic (lackadaisacally?)  to me in 2012; I'm also aware of being a throw-back to an earlier generation at the same time. I can't enjoy time spent sewing unless my own house is tidy and the chores are done, I  become too distracted by the "still-gotta-do" list. It's my personal curse! I am extremely thankful however, to be comfortable living in a time and place knowing that if the UPS delivery man rings the doorbell, or when Mr. Goodneedle wanders into the sewing room, my favorite sweatshirt and blue jeans won't raise an eyebrow. And for the record, I always try to keep my hair in order; it makes for more successful sewing sessions, I'm sure you would agree!
Life is Good!

8 comments:

julieQ said...

I too try to keep it all together before I can sew and just relax...supper has to be planned...the daily chores done...I know what you mean! I gave up the face powder, though, LOL!

straythreads said...

too funny but I think it trying to say sewing is a treat to yourself so get dressed up for a date with the sewing machine.

Nane said...

My husband would think something was very wrong if I put on a dress to quilt!

AnnieO said...

I have seen that transcript and always wondered what French chalk is! We are truly a much more casual society--to the detriment of many forays into public and seeing what people think is acceptable to wear outside their houses, IMHO, or what is okay to SAY in public these days (horrors!), but dressing up to sew luckily isn't necessary. It is a good habit to do chores before playtime--didn't we learn that as children, lol!

Janet O. said...

Yes, I have read this before, but I love your insight. I'm glad I don't have to sew in face powder and lipstick. I like to get chores done first, too, but I admit that sometimes the creative muse calls and I have to slip in the sewing room and try something before the chores are finished.

lindsey said...

I haven't read this before...its great. Don't you put on a clean dress before you sew? Hilarious. BUT....I couldn't possible begin if I had a sink full of dishes or unmade beds.

cityquilter grace said...

well that explains it! when my sewing doesn't turn out as i planned, it's because i wasn't wearing a dress...LOL...what a hoot! june cleaver, R.I.P.

phyzz said...

Fun article, Mrs. G! My Grandmother taught me alot about sewing. Mama Leona was a professional "seamstress", had her own shop, "The Sew and So Shoppe" for years until her death, at 76. Always dressed to meet the public at anytime, she did fittings and sewing at work as well as sold fabulous fabrics and other sewing notions. Unfinished work came home to await her cooking dinner and clearing the table (finished tasks!) to set up any sewing there, on the dining table.
She would have chuckled at this article, even then, but she sewed out of need, with marvelous skill and love, with great success!