Well what brings a chap well past middle-age (unless I live from than 118 years) who can't sew that well to a sewing forum. Well I guess but being a practical sort of a chap, I'm keen to make home furnishings, stitch leather/leatherette for car seats (I'm a classic car bod), fix horse rugs, make simple clothes, maybe for my wife rather than me as men's clothes seem to be quite complex. I've already made a massive solid bottomed shopping bag from an old duvet that actually holds shopping and lots of it. I made that using an old Singer treadle machine and whilst it isn't perfect, it is useful. I've since graduated up to using my late father-in-law's Jones CBD that I've fitted to the Singer treadle bench and it all still folds down neatly and has left me with a very usable unit. Thus far I've made a vest from an old stretchy sheet and some edging, salvaged three frayed towels, modified a top for my wife to stop the sleeves falling down too easily and made a pair of curtains for our bedroom from another old duvet and some recycled curtain tape. I'm particularly chuffed with the curtains which actually look alright, much to my surprise. All this sewing activity in the front-room is reminding me of my mother who used to make clothes and curtains with her treadle machine and later an old electric model, as well as making loads of stuffed toys, including many many Wombles!
I've joined The Sewing Place because I'm aware of how limited my skills are and want to be able to access the knowledge of people who know so much more than I do about sewing and using a machine. Although I've been a Diversity practitioner for years, I spent many years working with steel and especially sheet steel and have noticed that some of the skills are similar and have a great deal of respect for skilled machinists, tailors and seamstresses who seem to be able to work with such great speed. I'm happy to dawdle but want to be able to produce quality items, so it makes sense to be able to ask skilled people for help. Unfortunately, I don't think I have very much to offer in return as I'm such a beginner even though I'm almost 60.
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