ADVICE ON SEWING, FROM 1949

Prepare yourself mentally for sewing. Think about what you are going to do… Never approach sewing with a sigh or lackadaisically. Good results are difficult when indifference predominates.

Never try to sew with a sink full of dirty dishes or beds unmade. When there are urgent housekeeping chores, do these first so your mind is free to enjoy your sewing. When you sew, make yourself as attractive as possible. Put on a clean dress. Keep a little bag full of French chalk near your sewing machine to dust your fingers at intervals. Have your hair in order, powder and lipstick put on. If you are constantly fearful that a visitor will drop in or your husband will come home, and you will not look neatly put together, you will not enjoy your sewing.

Sent from our friend and fellow sewist Rosanne Cash—who always looks absolutely gorgeous no matter what she does. And, after reading, our friend Sara recommends following all of the advice so generously given, but to “keep a little bag full of French fries” nearby, instead of the recommended French chalk.

 

7 comments on “ADVICE ON SEWING, FROM 1949

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  1. Claudia

    I like the idea of focusing and having everything in place, whether that means actually getting dressed (as opposed to sewing in your pajamas and robe, ahem) to not being distracted by other tasks. I definitely appreciate the nod to ‘single tasking’.

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  2. Barbara Dua

    Navajo women can take several hours of preparing themselves before beginning to weave a new rug. They pray, meditate while walking near the loom, and seek spiritual oneness with a higher power to be in right relationship with their creativity!
    When I take the time to open myself to the creative spirit, magical things can happen. (Finding oneself by losing oneself!)

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  3. ann

    In my mind the only “urgent houskeeping chores” would be putting out any fires I may have started whilst performing my less urgent houskeepng chores……
    I would also recommend putting on Ms. Cash’s new album whilst sitting pretty with needle and thread – just got it and not only love it, but also find that it mysteriously helps me to keep my hair in order…..

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  4. Susan

    If I waited for all house hold chores to be done along with going to work, I would never get to sew.
    I wish sewing was my work! I always figure those chores will be there waiting for me tomorrow, today I need a little R&R, my reward for plowing through the day. Planning helps when indulging into a project so not to be wasteful, but also like to be open to new twist and turns while creating. Sometimes cool things come out of a perceived mistake.

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