Sew Simple – Nice Knitting!

Hands up all those who feel a panic attack coming on at the sight of a sewing machine, or who never again want to meet a knitting needle! If you’re in the 50 plus age bracket, there are very good reasons why you may have been put off sewing and knitting from an early age – and it’s nothing to do with your personal skills (or lack of them). The fact is, these crafts were a lot more difficult in the past than they now need to be, which is why a younger generation is revelling in stitching their own clothing, knitting (and crocheting), and even setting up businesses to sell their gorgeous creations. So what’s changed?

For starters, patterns! The garments of our youth were inevitably littered with darts, tucks, pleats, and ruches, and everything was so fitted even the best-stitched garment failed to measure up to expectations unless the wearer was match-stick slim. Then there was the fabric to contend with. How many ‘home economics’ high school students gave up on sewing classes after their ‘simple A-line skirt’ dissolved under a hot iron, or frayed (usually as a result of having to unpick poorly stitched seams) until the fabric was unusable! There was absolutely no forgiveness when it came to sewing a seam because stretch fabric was virtually unheard of, so unless you had a very patient mother or grandmother who was a sewer, and could help you out at home, sewing classes were unlikely to enthuse you. Even if they did, and by some miracle you managed to enjoy sewing, you were hard pressed to carry on your craft unless there was already a sewing machine in your home. That’s because these items were so expensive they were beyond the budget of most families.

Beginner knitters encountered similar problems. Yarn came in just a few basic weights, and if you happened to be handed some 4 ply and match-stick thin needles on your first attempt, you were set up for failure! Cardigans were all the rage (and remember those hand-knitted twin sets!). If you did ever manage to complete a 4 ply garment, you were then lumbered with so many bands to knit, the yarn colour had gone out of fashion by the time you completed the project! As for finding a pattern (even in double knitting) that could be completed in a fun-filled weekend  – forget it!

Thank goodness, then, for the sewing and knitting patterns now available, and for yarns and fabrics that make these crafts a synch, even for beginners. Loose-fitting, unhemmed dresses with quirky fraying edges, full, linen skirts gathered onto a simple wide piece of deliciously contrasting-coloured elastic, gorgeous bulky-knit jumpers with comfy drop shoulders, two-day bamboo yarn cushion cover projects … no wonder more people are taking up stitching and sewing as a hobby.

What makes these crafts even more accessible, is there’s now no need to head to the shops for pattern, fabrics, yarns, or inspiration! Many ‘indie’ (independent) providers have taken their wares online, so with just a ‘click’ you can be viewing more options than you’ll ever find in a high street store. Check out materials with a zoom-in view, read reviews from others who have test driven the same yarn, fabric or pattern. And if you’re having a problem, there’s nothing like a You Tube tutorial to set you on the straight and narrow! What’s more, if you feel the stitching bug coming on, be assured sewing machines are now so affordable they are within reach of almost everyone.

Don’t let past experiences prevent you enjoying sewing and stitching – because times really have changed, and these fun-filled, creative crafts are now for all of us!