Introduction
During this summer I did and saw many cool things. One of the things I did was to sew myself a pair of overalls. I found it quite fun, and would like to encourage others to do the same, so here is a short post on why sewing is cool.
Why sew in 2024?
- It allows you to feel like you have created something cool, unique, and practical
- The fine motor skills allow you to focus and relax
- It allows you to better appreciate the clothes you wear
Why wouldn't you sew in 2024?
- It's a bit expensive
Elaboration
You can draw, paint, or do ceramics, and these are indeed all also cool art forms too, but I think sewing is cooler. This is because when you paint a cool picture, that picture gets hung on a wall, and people can look at it. Although it might look cool, to an outsider, it's easy to not think about the artist. This is compared to sewing, where when you finish a piece, you get to put it on and walk around in it. This way, you can use your art to make people see you, and who you are, rather than to think about art from a detached perspective. Also, you get to make art that also dose useful work as a piece of clothing. You get to feel both like you were productive in a task oriented way, and like you were productive in a creative emotional way.
When you sew, there are many precise and and delicate tasks that require constant attention, regardless of weather you use a sewing machine or sewing by hand. If you are sewing by hand, there is the rhythmic motion of pushing the needle through, feeling around through the fabric to get an even stitch length, and then bunching the fabric and pushing it back up. There are also sometimes numbers you have to count, like the number of loops you have made so far when sewing on a button. If you are sewing by machine, there is the constant adjustment of the tension on the fabric, and the gap between the stitches and the edge. This makes sewing a mindfulness activity, as deliberate concentration is always required. Mindfulness is good for your health, as it helps you to develop concentration and to live in the present moment.
Finally, I never really appreciated the work that goes into making clothes until I started sewing. Although I will admit that there was more to this enlightenment then just sewing. Previously, all clothes were to me were a utilitarian item that protects me from the elements and makes me more socially acceptable. I also didn't think about why clothes are so cheap today. Now I recognize the self expression that can be obtained through clothes, changing the way that you look, and by extension the way others think about you. I also now recognize the reason why clothing is cheep. Often it is because they are not very high quality clothes. They are made of cheep fabrics and designed to fit all people, instead of tailored to an individual. This may make clothes cheaper, but it also means that the wear faster, and often don't fit quite right. Or, if they do fit right, you probably had to do a lot of work to find the clothes that did.
Unfortunately, with quality often comes price, and this is not untrue for sewing. If you want to make something out of high quality fabrics so that it lasts a long time you may end up spending double what you could have spent for a commercial version of that same item. It will however, last you longer, feel nicer, and you will have more fun both wearing, and making it.
What art do you do?
I like sewing, but there are other art forms too. What art form do you do and why do you like it? Please let me know by replying to this post with the button below.