So Sew! Day 1: Introducing my Craft

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I’ve decided to do it. I’ve been debating for weeks whether or not to commit to 31 straight days of posting, but here I am. The first day. Can I admit that I’m a little bit scared?

Welcome to 31 Days of Sewing Basics!

I have a fun month planned out, and pushing those scared feelings aside, I’m really thrilled and over-the-moon excited to be doing this! This series is not a complete Sewing School or Sewing 101 class, but just some tips, ideas, and easy projects that even a beginning seamstress can take on. You’ll get a look at my processes and what all is behind So Sew Organized, as well as some sneak peeks at our Christmas collection!

I hope that even if you are a self-proclaimed anti-sewing person, or feel like you have three hands that are all thumbs when you sit down at a machine, that you will follow along and learn how you can at least begin to tolerate the experience. :) Some of these tips will be helpful for those crafters that use fabric for other projects besides sewing, so really this series will be a help to everyone!

Feel free to chime in any time in a comment or on Facebook with ideas, tips, or what you’d like to see in a post this month. I do have a basic plan in place for these posts, but that is subject to change. {wink!}

To start us off today, I’m going to dig into my past and share how I got to where I am today…


My Grammie is my #1 sewing inspiration. She gave me my first machine, taught me to sew, and to this day we chat sewing and make fabric store runs when I am in the States. {Ok, so they really aren’t fabric store runs...more like fabric store lets-park-and-stay-a-whiles...just ask my Grampie!}

I’m sure she never imagined where those first simple lessons on a used sewing machine would go - I know I certainly never dreamed I’d end up owning my own handmade shop!

This is me the Christmas my grandparents gave me my sewing machine. I was probably about 13. This is the only picture I could find, and yes that is a scrapbooking sticker. =)

It has really been in the last 3 years that I’ve defined my sewing style. I’ve decided that making clothes is not really my thing - although I can do it if I have to. I’ve made an occasional quilt, but they generally take more patience than I can muster up on a regular basis. {wink!}

It wasn’t until I started making accessories that I really felt that I’d found my niche. The first Quilted Totes ever made were Christmas gifts. They were the large size, and pretty basic - no pocket or special features. But I loved it. And since that time 2 years ago {whatthewhat?} my love for my craft has continued to grow. I’ve discovered that I love the entire process - picking out pretty fabrics, designing a piece, and even the trial and error as I make a piece into what I envisioned it would be.

During this last year I’ve stretched myself more to add more items to my shop, while staying within the bounds of my style and brand. The addition of Booktotes, tablet sleeves, and just recently zipped pouches has been such a learning experience!

Over these years - 10 or more! - I’ve learned more by trial and error than probably any sewing class could teach you. I’ve learned new things just by forging ahead and trying it. Hopefully over the next 30 days I can share some of those tips with you!

Each day in this series, I'm issuing a small challenge, or "homework" at the end of the day's post to encourage you to take action on what you've read! Today is simple: just leave a comment below sharing where you are as a seamstress - experienced? newbie? break out in hives just thinking about it? Do share. :)