I cannot sew with a sewing machine. My mom can sew. She tried teaching me SEVERAL times but it did not take. I love the concept of sewing and I understand the basic idea of it…unite two pieces of fabric together and bond it together with a threaded needle. I however have never taken kindly to rules. There is a lot of creativeness with sewing but there are rules that need to be followed in order to end up with your desired result.
I can hand stitch though. Well, kind of. There is actually a proper way to do this as well. I think there is actually several proper ways and they all have a name. I myself do not know any of the proper ways but I can get my fabric sewed together in a caveman- like way. I have sewn Barbie clothes for my daughter and I’ve done a few pillows and other simple projects.
This past weekend I was going through some of my 7 year old daughter’s clothes in order to start getting ready for back to school. The majority of her clothes from last year will still fit this year but I’m on a mission to give some of them a new look.
Here is a picture of the sweatshirt I did.
picture of the sweatshirt I did this weekend
I started with a plain purple sweatshirt and hand stitched on some fish and bubbles that I cut out from a different piece of fabric. (Bonus: I went to two rummage sales this weekend where they were selling fabric for next to nothing and giving it away free!)
I do find hand stitching relaxing but if it’s not your thing, they sell fabric glue that would be perfect for this project as well. No sewing…just paste your cut outs on the sweatshirt.
Not only is this project great for updating a look but also perfect for covering up a tough stain or a small hole!
Have fun!!!
Motherhood Is An Art 
Haha. I am a fellow sewing machine hater. When I was in grade seven (my first and last experience with home economics), one of my friends did two of every sewing project–one for me and one for her.
I do, however, like hand-sewing stuffed animals. Particularly ookpiks.
Okay, I just googled ookpiks…I never heard of them! Looks like its a Canadian thing!! They look really cute!! Do you have any pictures on your blog of them?? I’m glad I found a fellow sewing machine hater!!!
No, but I will have to do an official “ookpik” blog. And, yup, it’s a Canadian thing. Well, an Inuit Canadian thing. Ookpik is an aboriginal word for “owl.” But ookpiks are better than the average owl. And they have no wings.
oooohhhh!! Interesting!! I will be anxiously awaiting an official ookpik blog!!!!
Sewing is just one of those things I’ve been wishing I knew how to do and do well…Great job with that sweatshirt! My daughter would have loved those colorful fish on hers. 😉
Thank you!! My daughter really likes it!! I’m glad she’s still at the age where she’s not picky about clothes!!
Ha, nice!!! I’m trying to do the same too!! I actually made a couple of wallets out of old clothes, and they look so cute, I totally agree with you sewing is very relaxing, and you get to be very creative.
Oh man!! You must be a lot more creative than me!!! I can’t even imagine how I would make a wallet!! You’ll have to share pictures!!!
That’s a great idea and I really identify with the “can’t sew but like sewing” stance although I have to say your effort looks a million times better than mine would! X
Oh, thank you so much!!! I see so much stuff I would love to be able to do but I think about the time it would go into doing it and then realize I would never have that kind of time or dedication or the room I could do it in and not have the kids get into it while it’s in a progress state! This was quick and simple!!! Thanks for reading!!