what sewing has taught me
lessons learned stitch by stitch
I first learned to sew when I was five. My mom taught me so that I could make matching outfits for myself and my teddy bear (named Peachy).
I have come back to sewing again and again for the past 25 years. It has been a tether in my life. Something I can hold onto. Something that reminds me of who I am. Something that brings me back to my body. Something that brings me deep joy and awe. Sewing has taught me:
to be patient
to have grace for mistakes
to slow down
to problem solve
to expand the possibilities of my imagination
to appreciate the labor that goes into making things - and thus has given me a firey passion to ensure that those making things are paid enough for the labor and are treated fairly
to be curious about where things come from and where they go when we are done with them
to be careful
to be intentional about my consumption
to respect the earth and the resources she provides us
to appreciate my body
to understand my body
to be gentle with myself and my body
to realize that “sizes” are completely arbitrary
to have a greater capacity for awe and wonder
to trust my intuition
to have confidence in my strength and abilities
to have a mindset of “what else is possible”
Not to mention, it’s also taught me to always be prepared and to carry a sewing kit with me because wherever I go, I am the one asked to replace a button, quickly hem a skirt, or repair a hole in the pants of the groom ten minutes before the wedding.
I’m not saying that if everyone learned how to sew, the world would be a better place. But I’m also not NOT saying that. I think there is incredible value in learning how to make things with your own two hands beyond just the fact that then you get to have something that you made.
want to learn some sewing techniques from me?
and want to make your own quilted wall hanging to represent and channel your dreams, goals, intentions, and prayers for this year?
Then it would be an absolute honor to have you in Sacred Threads.
In this six-week class, I will teach you a variety of hand sewing and embroidery techniques while we make a small piece of fabric wall art or an altar cloth that symbolizes an intention you are setting for this year. The techniques you will learn in this class can then be applied to learning to alter your own clothes, add embroidery or appliqué to existing garments, and to mend fabric items that need some TLC.
a Friday treat for you
enjoy 15% off any of the remaining pieces I have available in “Ready to Ship” with the code LITTLETREAT15
leaving substack
I will be switching back to sending emails directly through my website rather than through Substack next week. This is to minimize the number of different apps I use for work and because Substack has started to feel too much like just another social media site, which isn’t in alignment with what I am wanting from my email newsletter right now.
You do not need to do anything about this unless you are a paid Substack subscriber and would like to continue supporting my work in this way.
I will be offering a paid membership directly through my site which will give you access to exclusive content, early access to shop updates, the occasional extra discount, and more. This membership site will be set up next week and if you are already a paid substack subscriber you will get the first month for free once I make the shift.
So, if this is something that interests you, stay tuned for the update and steps to take to make that switch next week :)
Thank you for being on this journey with me! I appreciate you all so much. You’re amazing, you’re doing great, keep on keeping on.
xoxoxox
Justice
🪡 Website: www.threadandsprout.com
🌱 Email: info@threadandsprout.com
