For a couple of months years I have wanted a sewing machine of my own. I want this one actually:



I watch entirely too much Project Runway and I've Got Nothing To Wear, so I foster delusions of making my own shirts, skirts, dresses, and costumes and quilts.

When I was little, my mom made each of her siblings a quilt for Christmas (for a total of three), each with a design that represented them (a flower, a surfboard and a hand airbrushing a rainbow). While I thought this was insanely cool, two of her siblings actually gave their quilts back to her (the flower and the hand airbrushing a rainbow--I never quite understood why, maybe they didn't like the designs after a while?). When I was 11, my mom finally made me a quilt and I loved it. But it was only a twin size quilt (which never really fit my twin size bed to begin with) so I've kind of outgrown it since I've been married (it really doesn't fit my queen size bed), but I still sleep with it every night, and it's the blanket I take around with me to sit on the couch with or at my computer everyday. So while it's not on my bed, I definitely still use it even though I would never willing decorate my home with pastel colors because it's soft, cozy and I'm able to make myself a nest out of my quilt.

My delusions of grandeur in my own quilt-creation fairytale are to make quilts for my family--but quilts that they will (hopefully) not grow out of: like queen size quilts without kitschy designs of surfboards or flowers, but an actual quilt, maybe a kind of patchwork design where one color flows into another color, like the spectrum tool on PhotoShop.

But the sewing machine is $139.99 -- I can afford to get it because I have some birthday money and Barnes & Noble finally sent me my affiliate check (five years later).

What I'm worried about is not actually using the sewing machine. Are my fantasies just fantasies? Because Laura and I found a store last week called DNA Clothing Co. and it turns out that I would like to spend my birthday/B&N money there if I don't get a sewing machine. And so I wonder: is it better to spend money on clothing I know I'll wear or is it better to get a sewing machine and try to make sure that I don't lose interest in this new burgeoning hobby?

Labels: clothes, clothing, fashion, hobbies

( 3comments )

at July 17, 2007 3:36 AM  Laura said...

If it were me, I'd pick the sewing machine, only because sewing machines last for years and are always in style. Plus I'm a crafty person and I enjoy being able to make things. It's the gift that keeps on giving!

However, I'm not sure if it'd be right for you, only because I wouldn't want you to have buyer's remorse 3 months after you've bought it.

Hmmm... but if you say you've wanted a sewing machine for years, why not buy one? If you don't buy one now, you'll probably keep on wanting it for who knows how many more years before you actually buy one :) I guess the question is if you're ready to buy one now; you'll buy one sooner or later. You could always wait until you think of a piece of clothing that you definitely want to make, like a Halloween costume or something.

If it were me and I really wanted a sewing machine, I'd either buy a cheap or used one to try the hobby out. THat way, if I didn't like it I wouldn't feel bad about getting rid of that sewing machine. What's stopping me is the fact that I don't really have time to start a new hobby, I haven't knitted in ages as it is :(.

I think you definitely want one. Ask yourself if you want one now or later. If you feel you can wait and don't have anything specific in mind that you'd like to make, go buy some new clothes. On the other hand, if you feel you already have a ton of clothes and need something to do with your hands, buy a sewing machine. Remember, buying a sewing machine means having storage space for it, along with sewing odds and ends and any cloth you plan on using. If you're going to make a quilt you'll have to buy enough cloth for the whole quilt and that could take up a lot of space depending on how thick and big you want it.

Man, now I want some yarn.

 

at July 17, 2007 6:10 AM  Lindsi said...

My mom gave me a sewing machine for my birthday a few years back... Always great to have around for mending and little projects but it doesn't get much use. I really don't see you sewing, it's kind of funny to think about, but if you do, you ARE making me a quilt! LOL I would treasure it. Oh and btw- I have failed yet again to mail something, surprise, surprise... I got half way to the airport and realized I left your stuff on my stampin' desk. I could have had Todd send it, but I wanted to package it nicely so not to get messed up, so your already late anniversary card will be even later with your soon to be late birthday card. Of which, happy birthday eve eve old lady! Luv ya!

 

at July 17, 2007 11:54 AM  jillydreadful said...

Thanks Laura! I appreciate your input. As for Lindsi, "I really don’t see you sewing, it’s kind of funny to think about, but if you do, you ARE making me a quilt!" You don't know everything about me. Back in Mt. Aukum, I used to make my own dresses and costumes that I never wore around anyone or told anyone about. I didn't even sew in front of my brothers. The last dress I made was when I was 17. It was made of a stretchy velvet material, but it was such a bitch to sew that it totally turned me off from sewing again, so I just stopped. Just 'cause I didn't like making the stupid gender neutral baby book, and don't really have any interest in knitting, doesn't mean I'm not crafty.

B says that he thinks the sewing machine would be a good purchase for me because now that I have given up web design for the most part, I don't really have any creative hobbies. I mean, I write, but it's more like my job now to be creative, so it's more stressful than fun a lot of the time. And he said that we could make room for the fabric I'd need to make quilts. He said the closet would just be better organized because right now it's not efficient. He's a doll.

Plus, my friend Charlie wants to make a sewing room in his bungalow, and the sewing machine has a handle and only weighs 10 lbs, so it would be portable enough to take over to his house where we could have delusions of being on Project Runway together.