Sewing used to be the mainstay of the family wardrobe. Girls were taught so strictly, endeavoring for perfection. The clothes we made had to be worn out in the knee or seat because the seams sure weren't going anywhere.
Hand made clothes were so well constructed, they were handed down for generations and finally disposed of simply because they were so far out of style.
Today, I can walk into the finest dress shop and just be appalled at the lousy workmanship. The first thing that comes out of my mouth is 'cheap,cheap'. It really gets to me to see celebraties, who have the money for the very best, wearing something I wouldn't be caught dead in. Pure infantile trash! Cheap fabric, nothing hangs right and women have even gotten used to uneven hems!
I think it's a sign of quality of life, these days. Everything is disposable. Even marriage.
[question posted by judysims]
responses and comments:
First off all the marriage will never be disosable. I sew still I make Clothing for my nieces and nephews and I also doing a good hem. My husband says I do the best french cuff ever! It's not dead, just not used as often, Talents are not passed on generation to generation. My grandmother taught me because I asked, she never taught my mother because she never asked. [LindseyBishop13101]
I'm so glad to hear it's not totally gone. As for daughters asking, in the old days we had no choice. We learned to cook,sew,clean house and do the laundry right up to the ironing, or else! :) Things have changed. [judysims]
Judy, I agree with you about the workmanship today. When my sisters and I were growing up, my mother made clothes for all four of us. We had the best looking clothes around. She learned to sew early in life because her mom did it for a living. I can sew to some extent, but never could get a zipper in right. Two of my sisters can sew very well, but they just don't have the time to sew today. I sometimes wonder how my mom found time with four of us. It's hard for me to find something to fit in a local store because I'm 5'8" and have very long legs. I usually have to order online to get tall slacks and tops. Everything my Mom made fit perfectly because she knew how to alter patterns. I think it's a lost art today. [claudia413]
So true. It seems to me we let the other countries dictate to us, what our bodies are shaped like and they missed. :) I can't get over the fact that they changed the universal size codes and dimensions, over the past years. I used to wear a 12, now it's a 6. hmmmmm flattery? [judysims]
I completely agree. It either i'll walk in and see something thats made insideout or the seams are already ripping and still on the hanger, or i'll simply see something and go..'i could make that better and still save money' I really want to be a fashion designer so this is were my heart is, i hate seeing girls with Dresses they paid a lot of money for and they start ripping a month later. Stuff doesn't last as long or endeu the same strength any more. I thought it was crazy at the fact that girls in my clothing class didn't even know how to thread a needle let a long a machine. As for the marriage thing, i think people rush into things far to quickly, i personally think a couple should live together before saying vows. Its just because you know if you can handle being around that person and how they act for the rest of your life if you don't see first hand what it's like to live with them and know there gross little habits, but thats me personally. Have a good one [cassiej2005]
It all boils down to quality or speed. I wonder...... Maybe some day, you can introduce a whole new line of clothing.....a quality line!! Terrible to think, but today that would be unique. (shaking head) You know that half the dresses on the rack don't have finished seams? They just whack the thread and figure the hem will hide it. aaaargh [judysims]
Past seems always better, especially if we get older. When my mother was young, she used to have only one dress. It was washed only once a week. She could take a bathtub once a week. My mother loves new disposables because we can keep it clean. [polachicago]
Probably a hangover from the depression. Although my mother carried on the traditional homemaker scene, she hated anything that reminded her of her teen days during the depression. Most likely, that had a huge influence over our society today. [judysims]
I agree with you 100%. You cant buy anything without having to strengthen a seam, reenforce a button(s) or mend a zipper for something you paid through the nose for. I still make my own dresses and some of my husband's nightshirts and pullover tops. Its ridiculous what they pass for dressmaking nowadays! [Bee1955]
I love to sew! Before my girls were born, I used to sew a lot of my own clothes... but then I had kids and didn't have as much time because I was also working full time. However, I still make occasional outfits and have taught both my girls to sew. I've always made their halloween Costumes each year, and I've made a few fancy dresses for important events. The girls love to make their own sleep pants and pick out their own fabric to use. My youngest dd even made purses as presents for some of her friends for Christmas last year. So I've passed on my love of sewing to my girls! [Bev1986]
When my daughter was little, our family was still doing the tradition of passing on scraps. My mother was always sewing and with the kids all gone, she spent more time sewing for herself and that left some pretty tasty scraps. My sister and I tried to outwit each other and get there first, just in time for the scrap bag to be full. We'd take those scraps, along with our own and small pieces of 'sale table' fabrics, match them up and make the wildest outfits. We always had too many clothes for the kids and had to pass them around or get buried. Did you know those old worn out bluejeans are a treasure? You can cut them up into 6" squares and make the toughest quilt in the west. [judysims]
I agree totally with everything you have stated here. Everything is so cheaply made now and over priced its unbelieveable. God only knows what the futures holds. [krizz420]
I agree. I remember as a child watching my mom on her sewing machine.Today I sew my own clothes, drapes,blankets, tableclothes,etc... I believe its a good skill and trade to have. I wouldn't give it up for the world. I enjoy making my own styles and being diffent from the rest of the world.Too many people don't sew now a days. [licibaby85]
In my family every woman knew how to sew. This ended when my mom was born. She can't sew, and I can can a little. I learned mostly on my own. I wish I was better at it though. Clothes are made so cheaply now, and they are not worth what they cost. But, fabric in the stores are not much better. Where do you buy your fabrics? I learned to Cross Stitch from my Aunt, and I still do a little of that every now and then. But what can you do with a bunch of cross stitched pictures and towels anyway? As for marriage, people just don't respect it anymore. It's something that comes and goes. Divorce is so common now. So many people just get married for the heck of it. It doesn't seem sacred to most. You're right, it does seem disposable. [prettypinkbug]
I agree with you. My mother was a very well known tailor in her heyday and she took pride in providing the very best in workmanship to her customers who came back time and again. I could remember she would be drafting out the patterns and her 8 seamstresses would carry on deep into the night on each holiday season. I too lament the lack of quality workmanship in readymade shirts and dresses nowadays and young women no longer have interest in tailoring. Even the drapery shops are slowly dying, giving way to the overflowing mobile phone businesses. There are some reasons but two I could think of is that people nowadays find it more convenient to buy off the shelf that wait 3 days to wear a new clothing ensemble. And this disposable generation is getting out of hand. I have even heard the 60-year-old aunties saying, "nowadays, everything so cheap, wear one time, don't like it, throw-loh". People nowadays never take pride in their clothes anymore. We used to wear our clothes and then wash and carefully hang them in our cupboards to wear another day and even get to wear them still in presentable form one year later. It also has to do with economics. Our generation had little money to spend on clothes, buying them only once a year, mostly during the Chinese New Year season, or having them tailored during this period. Nowadays, you can find people wearing oversized T-shirts and short pants (even those who look terrible wearing them - so many fat women, with obvious stomach bulges and exposing their overthick thighs - ugh!!!) you can buy for RM5 apiece (about US$1.50) in Chowkit Road. In my day, if you wanted to look gorgeous in the latest Italian or Paris fashions, you have to spend about RM500 apiece in a posh boutique, now you can buy all kinds of fashions, mix and match for about RM10 apiece. And girls nowadays prefer to sit pretty in nice offices than work at sewing machines (even though we have electronic ones now) for about 10 hours a day. So, with the mass production, you cannot expect to get a decent fit and one that won't go to pieces the first time you wear it. That's life and the so-call progress we brought upon ourselves (sigh!) [boeyong]
There was a blonde swerving in the road, and a policeman stopped her and said " Mam why were you swerving?" She answered "These trees kept on popping up in front of me!" Then he said, "That was your air Freshener! _________________________________ You say pronounce what I spell: M-A-C-D-A-D-D-Y They should say (Mack-Daddy) M-A-C-M-O-M-M-Y They should say (Mack-Mommy) M-A-K-I-T-T-Y They should say (Mah-Kitty) M-A-C-H-I-N-E They should say (Mac-hyne) Then you say, IT'S MACHINE(mashine)! _________________________________ This man1 goes to another man2 and says I have some inventions. Man1 says it is called a folding carton Man2 says what do u call it Man1 says a farton Man2 says that is so childish! Man 2 says what is your other one? Man1 says the folding bucket Man1 says you don't want to hear what that one is called! _________________________________ Have you heard the joke about the skunk? No... Never mind, it stinks _________________________________ What do you call a woman with one leg longer than the other? What... Eileen (I lean!) _________________________________ Michael Jackson got in a fight with a guy. They were striking each other towards the window. The Man Dangled Michael out of the window and said "How do you like it?" (Cause Michael Jackson dangled his baby out of his window!) _________________________________ What is green and smells? What... The Hulk's farts! _________________________________ What do you call a bunch of blondes on top of each other? What... An Air Mattress! [hamzax7]
no i dont think thats art of sewing is totataly lost but its charm comes to an end well india is the place where u can see people sewing their clothes from sewing machines..its also true that ready made garments take their place.. [Mtushar87]
oh dear dear grand mother,so sweet of you to remind us that golden old days,nower days women don't need much of cloth ,they need little nappies to stick on boobs and downstairs,i am fully agree with you that only exposure has increased asthetic value of dressing is gone.. [anirudh1971]
You are right it is a lost art or so it seems. 30 years ago when I was a kid my aunt who had 8 kids sew everyting. They made all their own clothes. I even took sewing classes. But yes over the years you don't see that anymore. You still see Knitting and crocheting but not much sewing. I think it's because clothes are more affordable and when you buy the material and justify your time you have to wonder if it's worth it. [coolcatzz]
I often wish I had the skill, or knew someone with such a valuable skill. My mom taught me how to crochet and I have made blankets for each of my kids. They are very proud of them. Clothes today dont even last through ONE child, much less have anything left for hand-me-downs. I also think kids today are stuck on fast food, and just-heat-it-up foods. My kids know the basics to cooking and baking at least. [practical4wheels]
I'm still building but my new website came from just that thought. Nobody, in their right mind, would open up a school to teach these things because there wouldn't be enough business to keep it up and running. So how DO we share the knowledge? I've already written and illustrated instruction booklets for Ceramics and I'm thinking about doing the next for restorations. I'm still pondering how I could accomplish this on the subject of sewing, without it being totally boring. Books that are out there, on sewing, can leave a newbie in the dust, if they don't already know the terminology and what it means. So I was thinking of instructions, approaching from the very basic how-to on those difficult subjects like turning a collar, or following a curve without puckers. Stuff like that. And, if I'm really brave, how to plan and make your own patterns. There's so much to share but I don't really know if there's enough interest. Now that would be a waste. [judysims]
My mother in law is a talented seamstress. She can sew anything. I wish I knew how to sew as well because it would save me a lot of money from having to buy clothing. I think when she comes to visit again I'll have her teach me a thing or two. My friend is also going to a fashion design school, so maybe she could teach me too. [Sawsen]
I agree! When saw the Oscars,some times the women look like they don't have enough material to cover their body or the guys seem like they just got outta bed and rushed to the oscars! when I was in Europe,Paris! people were dress nice,women and men! nice casual clothes! Not one woman wore tight fitting jeans! were lose and baggy! here in usa,a woman's butt is almost hanging outside her jeans! I think todays fashion,has gone down hill! as for sewing i've been repairing my own pants,socks,jackets since i was 12 years old! my mother showed some sewing tricks! [creativemind1956]
I agree with you saying the quality of store bought clothes has gone down. I used to a bit of sewing for my children when they were little, but now the cost of matrials etc makes it not a very economical option. Especially for the little ones as they grow out of things so quickly. I'll always keep my machine for quick repairs and the like though. [14missy]
Art of Sewing has nearly disappeared.....people are opting to buy clothes from outside and moreover this is an era of Branded clothes and Designer wears [trialrun01]
That came strictly by marketing. People who had the money to make money, building a name. Sad, isn't it. [judysims]
oh how I wish I could really sew. I own a sewing machine and I do a little hemming and mending but boy I really bet it could save me alot of money.Any suggestions on how to start a small project with out a lot of fuss it would be appreciated.By the way I have all boys so the little girl dresses is out. [tahiyya123456]
I make most of my own clothes, starting with the pattern. I can't believe how even the most expensive clothing is so shoddy in its workmanship. I would be picking it out and starting over. I also am not crazy about the trendy clothes. I go thru magazines and copy classic styles. People always rave at how well dressed I am . If they only knew that last weeks trousers are this weeks cropped pants. It's so simple to change and "old" piece of clothing into a new one especially if you keep your scraps. I have cut off pants to the "fashionable" length and added a cuff and presto........fashion queen once again More people might sew if they had someone to teach them. My gramma taught me because she loved to sew and was so very creative. She is responsible for passing it down to my generation. [AskAlly]
I took sewing 7th through 12th I can sew but choose not to. Not all outfits sold now days are cheap cheap. I have founds some really nice outfits that have lasted for so long that I would donate to Goodwill or give my sister. [shooie]
because technological progress water down and quicken to sew [amienf]
I guess when you lived in an era when marriage was sacred and men were men, you would find the present time very dedicated to practicality. Im not saying that people of your time were not practical. However, the people of today usually want the best in a short amount of time. So that's what they get, a low quality dress. [charmedguyp1]
Yes and it's sad. You see, in past generations the people were more independent. They saw to themselves in almost every way. The foods we bought were grown on our own land, with the exception of a few exotics. Furniture was made in our own land. The ready made clothing was made in our own land. What we have become is lazy, dependent on others to do the hard work. When you look at it that way, you realize the subject of sewing is just a symptom of what we have become. We think the source will always be there and have become so dependent on it, that if that source dries up, we as a people will find ourselves in a huge economic mess. What a simple thing it would be to bring the U.S. to its knees. Just cut off the supply. Now is that a pretty picture? Personally, being a part of this new world makes me feel stupid and vulnerable. It causes me to worry about the young generation. They don't realize the trap that has been built for them. It was my generation that split in two, the other half chosing to burn their bras and turn family into a dream of the past. They didn't care about their own families, much less the coming generations. The family unit degenerated. The woman went out into the work field and left the daily chores of things like sewing, up to China. After all, they could make the money to buy things instead of having to labor at it. That began the shift toward outside sourcing. Add to that, a generation that brought half of itself to the world, as lazy druggies living off the welfare system and cursing that system, and we have today, the children of those druggies struggling to find steady ground to walk on. From that came restlessness and from that came rampant divorce, mixed families and children nobody cares about. Today the division still exists, those who strive to achieve, leaving sourcing to outside and those who desire the family unit. It shows in the house. We still have those who follow the desire to be independent (true independence) and be self sustaining. A self sustaining woman,mother,wife, is a seamstress, a cook, a creator. They should be cherished for who they are because they are a remnant of what this country used to be. [judysims]
hmm, I used to enjoy sewing before. When I was in Grade School, we have this school subject here in the Philippines wherein we were taught various housekeeping skills like laundry, home cleaning, cooking, baking and of course sewing. We were required to make a series of plates and compiled them at the end of the school year, for submission. I remember most of my classmates come to me for help and assistance on how to do the correct stitches. haha, life was cool, back then. no problems and no pressures [TotzkieNi]
yah u are right about that, it was our culture's part too... and you are right about all the facts you mentioned even the marriage part... [sahergul]
I agree with you. I love sewing myself but due to lack of time, I dont do it now. Everybody goes to a shop for their clothing needs and nowadays women hardly use a sewing machine at home. I dont see this trend changing in the future as well. [sherinek]
Sewing is one of my favorite hobbies. Both my parents are tailor, when I was younger ( I was about grade 6) my father taught me how to sew I even made my own short pants at an early age. I like making throw pillow cases, curtains etc... i also make doll dresses for my girl's dolls. One thing I regreted not doing is learning how to make patterns coz there's no one who will teach me how to make them.( my father already passed away and my mom is not w/ me). Thanks for posting such discussion. Have a nice day. [cielo05]
My mom is so good at hand sewing. I have no problems mending a torn shirt or pants. Thanks to my mom. [ernst111]
I agree with U.every thing thing in this modern world is disposable and nothing is worthful and believable...its so funny and time to worry...that marriage and relationships r also going in downward position...money is valuable and nothing else is precious.....not even Love...and true love has no place in this modern world. [Hamlet333]
Believe it or not sewing is back in style. I saw on the news the other day where in the past couple of years there has been a huge rise in new sewers. They are now even opening up sewing cafe's all over. Like a Cyber cafe, where you go in and pay for the use of the sewing machine for a few hours a day. They also sell supplies. That is so neat for someone who wants to sew but cannot afford the unbelievable price of a machine these days. Not that you need to know much to sew these days. The computerized sewing machine does it all for you. I sew a lot of my daughters clothes, and embellish the clothes I buy for her so they are not just ordinary. My mama sewed all of our clothes. I also know what you mean about marriage these days also. When people take the vows these days it seems they are not really understanding that it is suppose to be for life, through thick or thin. It is too easy to just divorce and try again. [amafrias]
I do sew things now and then. I guess major reason for this lost art I believe is nowdays girls alksohave to study too hard to succeed. they also have to build carreers and marriage is now an option not an ultimate goal for a girl. plus nuclear family system has tajken away the time to sew at leisure. as I also go for readymade clothes as I hardly get any free timewhile raisibng a toddler and an eight year old. [mansha]
Mam plz dont say tht abt MArriage. [cool_adarsh123]
i remeber quite well when i was small pppl (older women) after retiring or after doing a days job sit down in front of their sewer and have fun widit i myself tried out and it wasn that bad!!i mean i got myself a shirt frm this old lady who really liked mee i did of sewing on that shirt for myself but its fun and ppl shud take this up as an good art and try to master it and not frgt such things [mhv236690]
Sewing is not as popular as before, but I still sew. I enjoy creating things. I still mend some of my clothes. I agree with you though on marriage its not taken seriously anymore. People don't try to work things out like before, the lease problem they want a divorce. [venshida]
Hi. I agree with what you said. Not too many people sew these days. My Gram taught me to sew when I was 11 (because I was making doll clothes out of paper and tape); she was a seamstress. I like to make handmade outfits for my daughter when I have the time. But, unfortunately, most things in some stores are almost cheaper to just buy than to by the fabric and take time to make it. As per your last comment, I think it stinks the way many look at marriage as disposable. Too many enter into it thinking, "hey, if it doesn't work, we can divorce!!" Marriage just doesn't "work". A man and a woman each need to give 100% and strive to make it work. [berlynn1975]
sewing is one of the excellent art.it is very useful in stiching their own clothes and can sew them in the way and model which we want.it is also useful for self employment [yrteja]
Well i think this is because of the world is changing rapidly , Prehaps Hand made clothes are currently not in demand for most of the popluation yea ... If only Man can be faster than machine and cheaper than machine yea .... Lost of arts , lots of historical building , Blame all on Technology yea [Sir_bobby88]
Ya Now this is the modern century .. Ya i agree that first they used to teach the girls but now U just need the idea no need for stitching clothes .. Then what is the use of Tailors in this country .. how can they earn their living..? [adnanmd2]
"Sewing is an ancient craft involving the stitching of cloth, leather, animal skins, furs, or other materials, using needle and thread. Its use is nearly universal among human populations and dates back to Paleolithic times (30,000 BC). Sewing predates the weaving of cloth." Sewing is like one of the oldest learnable skill of all times. It isn't lost, it's just that people are more into cooler and more fun activities. My granny still sews. See it isnt lost. [UnHolyLove]
Yes, these days sewing at home is only limited to those people who can't afford to buy these expensive branded cloths... But believe me, home sewn cloths are better in terms of their stiching.. my personal experience is for cloths sewn at home.. the cloth would even wear out and not the stiching... where as you can never rely on the stiching of the readymade cloths. [edelweiss]
when i was young my mumm had this huge sewing machine and it was in that machine that she made my school clothes and all that.later on as my mum worked late,she no longer had time to hand sew my clothes adn all that.i still miss the sound of that sewing machine,the sound it made as it sewed clothes! http://www.alibaba.com/countrysearch/IN-suppliers/Sewing_Machine.html http://www.ushainternational.com/home.html [scorpius]
While I don't make my own clothes, I have in the past. My grandmother taught me to sew when I was very young, and I have used it ever since. I am 26 years old, and alot of my friends think I'm wierd, because I hem my own skirts and pants, sew my own Buttons back on, and fix seams that have come loose. Everyone else I knows takes all that stuff to a tailor, and I think it's a waste of money. I'm very proud of the fact that I can take care of this myself, and will probably continue to do it for the rest of my life. She also taught me how to knit and crochet, and it was extremely rewarding when my best friend had a baby, and I was able to give him a handmade blanket. It's now his Security blanket, and he will not let go of it. I get warm fuzzies every time I see him asleep, curled up around it. So, yes, there are some people left that make things themselves, but we are definately few and far between! [coril5352]
Wow, Mrs. Sims... I know how to sew, and my marriage is nicely intact. And yes, the workmanship is paltry in by far in comparison to much of the tailoring one sees these days. No, we haven't gotten used to uneven hems. It's just that many women today haven't the time to sew because they are too busy working to feed their families. Many men still believe that sewing is women's work, and too many people do not even understand the meaning of the words "quality", "workmanship" and especially "permanence." AUNTY [infamousaunty]
My mom used to be an exccellent seamstress. She always made clothes for us and knew how to recycle old clothes. She would use sweaters and t-shirts from the grown kids and make clothes for the grandkids out of it. The clothes she made us never fell apart, but then neither did the clothes we bought. I still have clothes I bought many years ago in germany, whereas the clothes I bought here in the states already bit the dust. I can't sew. unfortunately I didn't inherit that talent from my mom. Marriage is certainly not disposable, but unfortunately a lot of people do think like that. [Fairywings]
How right you are. I use to sew by hand because I was not able to sew with a sewing machine. I loved to sew blankets, clothes, curtains and just about anything until I became disabled with Raynauds and arthritis in my hands. I too am appalled at the cheap cloths they put out now and agree with you about how it shows how the quality of life has changed. [kimlot]
My grandmother taught my mother to sew and my mother taught me. I found that I could not find the same quality in store bought clothing as the quality of that which I make myself. [birthlady]
The ability to sew would be so useful! Even petite sized clothing is too long for me and the distance between the waist and crotch is often too long. It is frustrating to get a bargain on a pair of $20 pants and then have to turn around and spend at least that among at the tailor! I easily spend 25% the cost of my wardrobe at the seastress. Sewing would be even more useful now that I have children. Since when did children's clothing get modeled 'fit-wise' after teen clothing? My daughter is average in height and weight but I find that clothes still don't fit correctly. By the time the pants fit her in the waist and are comfortably roomy in the seat and thighs, they are too long. It seems designers these days think 6 year olds belong in skin tight jeans. It is wasteful to spend money to hem her clothing when in 2 months they'll likely be to short. If I knew how to sew I could simply let out a hem and redo it if necessary. I think all this women's libbing has driving a lot of useful skills out of society. I'm a programmer with a good salary but next time I take a class for personal enrichment I should pass up relational databases and go straight for sewing 101! [GroovyGurl]
Yeah, I think it funny they called women's lib when there was nothing liberating about it. [judysims]
Oh yes, you are so correct! Most of the clothing is made overseas, and the 'models' for size are so very small. I also firmly believe that 'home economics' needs to be brought back to the high schools. Girls AND BOYS need to take it, and it needs to include basic sewing, HOW TO COOK (neither of the girls my older sons married even knew the basics of cooking) and much more. My grandmother sewed EVERYTHING...even my grandfather's suits. My mother never learned. I took a basic sewing class at a community college a few years back and can do basics...but sure wish I had time/talent to do more! [crazynurse]
Home economics is still being taught in our high school but it only lasts one semister and only a few weeks of it is dedicated to sewing. They usaull make an apron. I cant believe that it takes them 2 weeks to make an apron but the teacher said that the students done even know how to line up a patten on the fold of the material. She said she has to totally start from scratch in order to teach them to sew. [villageanne]
It has changed,my Grandmother could sew an outfit by just looking at it,with no pattern. I do sew but I have to have a pattern. You are right , a lot of items are made so poorly, and the materials used is shoddy. [suscan]
Years ago everyone made all their clothes and they were beautiful. Just look at pictures of the pioneers. I can sew without a pattern but I often use a pattern and tweak it to make it the way I want. I even use several different patterns and make an original pattern from the combination. [villageanne]
I totally agree with you. My neighbor's daughter was getting married and she had a dress shop to make all her dresses for the wedding. 2 of the dresses ripped while they were just being put on for the wedding. I love to sew and do still make most of my furniture throws, quilts, table runners, placemats and many of our clothes. I have found that it is the only way to get exactly what I want. It is hard to find quality fabric but it is still available if you want to pay over $7.00 a yard. I go to thrift stores and purchase used clothing such as jeans when they have bag sales. I can get a garbage bag of jeans for $2.00. I use them to make quilts and placemats. I did teach my daughters to sew but none of their friends can sew. I agree it is beginning to be a lost art. One that is so important in being frugal [villageanne]
You did a great service by teaching your daughters. Even if they dessert the whole subject, for now, they will be back when it's needed. And through them, it will be handed down. On behalf of the old arts, thank you. [judysims]
I agree. Nothing is quality any more. When my daughter was in the third grade (she's 37 now), she was given a pantsuit which she wore to school until she outgrew it. Then we gave it to her younger cousin, who wore it and passed it down to a niece. The niece passed it back to my granddaughter! And it was still good with the original buttons still attached. Today, you're lucky if a set of clothing lasts through two kids without falling apart. [peavey]
actually we are lucky if the clothing makes it through even one child, my 6 month old daughter has out grown clothes so quickly some she has only worn twice at most and they are falling apart, it is rediculous, and its not even like she is outside runing and falling and such lol, baby clothes should last through generations as few times as they are worn. [lilttownmommie]
Yes as child I was even taught how to darn socks. Now you just go buy more.My daughter bought a dress for Prom and while she had it on in the store the zipper just came unraveled ,the owner offered to sew another in, I refused to let her and told her I would rather do it, funny she gave me $20 off but I have never returned to the store.The quality of the sewing was just awful. [lifeiseasy]
I can only wish that I had lived back when times were so much better. My grandmother practically raised me, so at a young age I began learning the important things in life such as cleaning, cooking, and sewing. My grandmother started me out at 3 or 4 years old learnig how to sew, I made a patchwork square quilt out of old squares and scrap fabrics, I feel that she taught me using that quilt because it was simple and easy for me to handle, it ended up being big enough for a doll blanket and she finished it for me by putting a back on it and I used it with my dolls for many years. I plan to teach my daughter these values, and I pray that she will not slip into society, I pray that she and my other children will put God first in their lives, and family ahead of all else, to me there is nothing more important than God and family. I am only 21, so sewing and the meaningful things in life are not totally dead in our society today. I agree with you that clothing is made very cheap, when I go shopping I usually have something particular in mind that I want and it is usually so hard to find, mainly because I like plain and simple, and designers simply do not believe in that any more, and the clothes wear so easily. baby clothes should not be worn out and tearing when only used by 1 child, they grow out of them too quickly, my grandmother made a few dresses for me when I was young and they went through 4 or 5 kids after me (cousins, ect) and were still in good shape. I still have the dress that I wore home from the hospital when I was born, and it is still in perfect condition, even after 21 years, last year I actually put it on my daughter and she wore it home too. I wish quality was still valued over quantity. [lilttownmommie]
I agree with you. I guess I'm old fashioned... and born in the wrong era, but I feel like there is so many things wasted now-a-days. I hate buying clothes anymore, because I know they will fall apart sooner than they should. The fact that clothes are so expensive now, they should at least last! Nothing is built to last anymore. I have a sewing machine from the 50's that was my grandmothers, and I think it will outlast the newer ones! [stephig]
I learned to sew when I was very young. I've made clothes for myself, my children, and my husband. I've made costume for a little theater group. I've done alterations for other people and really hated it. That was when I realized how badly made commercially produced clothes are. Now that my husband is gone and my children grown, I mostly buy my clothes from a local thrift store, but I still alter them to suit myself, for fit and style. [unusualsuspect]
I agree with you . I am only 34, but I am very thankful to my mother and grandmother for passing on the knowledge of how to sew, keep house, cook and all those other "old fashioned" ideas. I can still remember getting into troule with my Home Ec teacher in the 7th grade. She was teaching us to sew by having us do simple square pillows. I totally misunderstood the directions and I went home and made a pillow shame with ruffles and embellishments. When I turned my pillow in, she failed me for not making a simple square pillow. When we did aprons I followed her directions and well...no one had a pretty apron. But at least I got an A. She was one of the worst HomeEc teachers ever. Today, they don't even offer HomeEc in most schools. And when they do, it's not about keeping your house or sewing or cooking, it's about how to budget your money, budget your debt and write checks. I don't have a little girl to pass the knowledge onto, but I have a little boy and my hubby says I am making him into a sissy. But I think men should know how do to some of this stuff too. After all today a lot of men are staying single longer and need to know how to take care of themselves. My little boy is learning to cook from scratch, clean house the right way (my granny's way, where you could eat off the floor), wash clothes (sort, please always sort), and even to sew. He loves to sew little pillows and blankets for his toy dinosaurs. At least when he does finally get married, his wife will appreciate that his mommy taught him how to be self suffient and to put his laundry in the hamper! :) [vokey9472]
I definitely agree with you. I was taught to sew when I was in high school and I have always sewed a lot of my clothes. And I am like when I go into a store I just hate the quality of the clothes. I sew custom made doll clothes and sell them on ebay, and my quality is very high. Check out my link in my profile. So I guess if we want good clothes we have to make them ourselves. [cabergren]
The only time I ever sew is to pepair bottons or fix a small hole, I don't really have the time to do much else than that. [bowtieguy]