looking for new hobby

[P.Trish]

Hi Everybody,

I am standing on the ledge, ready to fall into a sea of insanity.  You are familiar with the story:  Life as we knew it has altered

dramatically.

My social activities have dried up - part of the reason (other than the obvious) is that I was an actor/singer (professional &

amateur). My life had revolved around directing, performing and teaching, including high school theatre arts.  I have

recently tried many times to be consistently  involved in choir, plays, etc., but my energy and dryness issues are limiting, to

say the least.  Commitment is nigh to impossible,and it has slowly dawned on my colleagues that I really must stop. I can still

sing in the shower and to my grand kids (at least the younger ones; they don't know any better - ha!)

This leads me to my question - sorry it took so long to get here

In my quest to be creative and useful, I want to start sewing.  I want to make things. I will need to buy a machine and take

lessons.  Is this crazy?  - because of the eye strain? Or anything else I should know?

[Sleepy In Seattle]

I think it's AWESOME - and you could even find a way to integrate it into your passion for theatre - my daughter is in HS and they do BIG productions every year - always need lots of costumers/sewers. I bet your local HS could use the same kind of help!!!! It would be a great way to develop your skills, once you take a class or two.

Modern machines are so amazing and can do all sorts of wonderful things.

You could also sew Halloween costumes (popular movie character patterns are usually available) and donate them to local children's programs/family centers/houses of worship/shelters/etc. Some fabric stores or outlets might even be willing to donate or discount materials. And I have found that Goodwill (or similar places) is a great source for cheap fabric and sewing/crafting supplies. You have to be creative and take what you can find, but that's part of the fun!!!!

Just make sure you have a comfortable chair and work surface that does not cause back, neck, and shoulder strain. Get up and walk around a little bit every 15 minutes or so - it helps!

I used to sew more than I do now - I have been too busy for it lately - but I look forward to getting back into it in coming years.

[Joe S.]

If you are single, dating could be an option for sociL interaction.

read books for the blind on your own schedule?

Writing?

elevator music?

replace Esther Williams in water musicals?

stunt double for the shower scene in psycho?

You know I am just being strange at this point.

[P.Trish]

Joe,

Playing the  stunt double for the shower scene in psycho would be perfect! I am still laughing!

Your post lifted me immensely. I need to really work on the Esther Williams moves.

Reading to the blind a good idea; so is writing, which I do - but not as often as in the past.

Elevator music? Hmmmmmmm - hearing it now. I am moving towards the piano...

Not single, but I should treat my DH as if we are dating

[P.Trish]

Thanks Sleepy, I was thinking about costumes - lots of community theatre in this city. I've worked

with lots of costumers  - it would be nice to be on the giving end.

Next step is finding a class and a user- friendly sewing machine.

[Tantalus]

My job responsibilities lightened up this year when my boss left and I transferred to another job.

I bought a new sewing machine and found a group that makes quilts for children and youth in difficult situations.  We meet weekly and have a great time.  I had learned to sew years ago so I didn't need basic classes and the others in the group helped.

Once I knew what I was doing I took a basic quilting class and really enjoyed it.

One of the keys for me is having a pretty lightweight machine that I can take to classes and the quilt group.

I am really enjoying it and recommend sewing to anyone looking for a hobby and connection.

T

[slccom]

Quilting is a good social outlet, as well. And you can work at costuming and stay in theater that way.

How hard this must be for you!  With your years of experience I hope you can find a way to stay involved in what you love.

Hugs, Sharon

[P.Trish]

Thanks slccom and Tantalus. Several months ago, I was talking to my niece who lives out of state.  She is a master quilter.  When I mentioned that I might like to learn to quilt, she discouraged me, because of my lack of experience. 

You, on the other hand have reminded me that I can try - one. step. at. a. time.

[slccom]

I sure hope your niece isn't teaching quilting -- or anything else!

Go for it. If you don't like the way it came out, just learn from it and move on. (But start with cheap fabric!)

Sharon

[litliwlowa]

Several months ago, I was talking to my niece who lives out of state.  She is a master quilter.  When I mentioned that I might like to learn to quilt, she discouraged me, because of my lack of experience. 

How discouraging!! Your niece apparently has forgotten that before she became a master quilter, SHE was inexperienced at the beginning!! The way to gain experience is to just do it!!

In my quest to be creative and useful, I want to start sewing.  I want to make things. I will need to buy a machine and take

lessons.  Is this crazy?  - because of the eye strain? Or anything else I should know?

No, it is NOT crazy. I say go for it. I had not a sewing lesson in my life, but I did have my mom's old Singer 301. I started with simple patterns making my then young children's clothes.

Practice practice practice. The nice thing about mistakes in sewing is if you mess up a stitch, you can remove it and redo it. With practice, I got better. I even made my daughter's flower girl dress (she was age 4 at the time) patterned after Diana's wedding gown, complete with french seams and fully lined. It was quite a compliment when the dry cleaners asked where I had purchased it, as he was impressed at the quality of stitching and lining, etc. He thought it had been made professionally. Not bad for a mom, huh?

As for the eye issues, there are workarounds for that too. Magnifiers have been around for a long time, typically used for hand stitching, needle point and embroidery.

Also, an idea to expand your socialization, there are so many meetup groups out there with common interests. As sewing is something you wish to pursue at this time, perhaps there is a sewing meetup group in your area. I did that with photography and it was a lot of fun. I learned a lot that way also. And if there isn't a sewing meetup group in your area, it's something you may want to consider starting as you find your sewing "groove".

Go for it!!

Amanda

[P.Trish]

Thanks for your advice and encouragement - I am starting the search for a machine (and a group

[quietdynamics]

Trish.. go for it.
Look at Craigs list to try to find a machine.

There are theater groups who need people to do sewing repairs, temporary alterations, and upcycling clothes to make them fit the play.. how creative.

There is a magazine named "Trends" you can borrow from the library with great creative current ideas.
Quilts are borne from the need and a time when everything was reused.
So you can be your own master..

I have made some from old cotton shirts from family members.. bit like a memory quilt..  colorful baby quilt ( a monkey puzzle with appliqued hearts .. some had secret messages) and another I used simple cookie cutters as templates.
.. But, now I would need a sewing magnifier.. it is on a cord and then rest on your chest.

Best time saving stitch I found is " invisible ladder stitch"  Works great on clothes seam repairs too.. 

Try your hand at a crazy quilt .. pick up silk clothes on sale at thrift stores or ask friends for their damaged items... that is a fun project. And you can keep adding to it .. even after you hang the thing. Pleat fabric, whatever you want. Online videos.  And for a crazy quilt you do not need a machine.

Have fun..

[litliwlowa]

Quilting is fun and there is an endless supply of ideas that one can put into a quilt.

Can't recall who it was, but one of my aunts (big extended family) had pictures of all my gramma's granchildren silkscreened on material and made a quilt out of it. Each picture was surrounded by regular patches, some solid and some with little flowers. The finished quilt was amazing. This was back in the days when quilts were still made by hand - well at least in my extended family they were.

I can't do hand sewing any longer as hands won't cooperate.