So Mom of 6, grandmother of 10 looking back. …..Believe it or not, I would go back to those days in a minute if I had the opportunity and ENERGY. I quilted, sewed and took care of the children. My husband was a very troubled man who never worked consistently so we were poor. I also worked as a nurse part time. I have no idea how I did it….. but I did… You said something that was quite interesting. You did not always play with your children when you were sewing. Smart Mothers…. You don’t need to entertain your children every second. Think about our ancestors. These women could not play, they just had to work to survive. Please be kinder to yourself. Give yourself grace. Take a deep breath and take it day by day. I knew discouragement also. Remember when the Bible says Her children arise and call her blessed. Your children will. You are doing a great job.!
Lol I have 6 girls… we wear dresses not Amish and I have sewed all of our clothes for 41 years. I applaud you! The struggle is real but it is doable. Oh and one of my daughters is 100% disabled quad. It’s doable be encouraged.
Hi, thanks for your comment! Wow, that is amazing! To sew not only your own clothes but also for all of your girls! I applaud you. But yes, it is doable - most of our ancestors were doing the same!
@fernlintner65 Is there a certain dress style or pattern that you use and could you share it, like what pattern (s) you use and where I could get them? I wear dresses\skirts all the time
Anytime I’m hand sewing something I think of how it must’ve been to sew entire garments that way before there were sewing machines. I actually got a good taste of that the first year being married. I wanted to surprise my husband with a plush robe for Christmas. I didn’t have a sewing machine, but I figured if other women could hand sew everything back in the day, then I could to. The robe turned out beautifully, and lasted many years! My husband was so impressed with my determination to see that he took me to buy a sewing machine. I bought a nice, but not expensive Kenmore machine that lasted me many years. I actually passed the machine down to my “adopted “ (unofficial) daughter last year.
I love hand sewing! I rarely use my machine because hand sewing is so much more relaxing and no machine acting up! I just love to hand sew everything I make!
I tried hand sewing once - such a catastrophe it was! 😅 But it's definitely something I'd love to do one day. My dream is to make hand stitched quilts for the whole family. :)
I use a straight pin to pull out those little tips. I sew daily. I love your old sewing machine. I recently inherited my mother’s sewing machine from the 60’s. It only sews straight seams and is a beautiful pinkish brown.
I’ve dabbled in learning to sew the past five years, but machine issues always left me frustrated. I switched to hand sewing two years ago, and it made me fall in love with sewing- not just for the functionality of having clothes to wear, but as a genuinely enjoyable skill and satisfying labor in its own right. I have in the past month gone back to a machine, and it’s been crazy how much sewing I can do! The challenging part for me currently is cutting out the fabric. I’m drafting my own nursing dress patterns (as an amateur seamstress, so there’s lots of research, thinking & math involved), and I’ve learned after two cutting mess ups on two different dresses that I have to cut out in peace and quiet. That leaves either when my husband is home (and dinner is on the table- which doubles as my cutting/sewing table), or after the kids go to bed (I have four, one who is a baby). Somehow, I’ve managed to get four dresses sewn in the last three weeks (two for my daughters, and two for me)…. I think it’s just taking the opportunity when it presents itself & doing what you can in that opportunity- as opposed to an ‘all or nothing’ mentality. The other day, I had ten minutes before dinner was done, so I pulled the table cloth back & quickly helped my daughter cut out just the bodice for her next dress. Not the whole dress, just the bodice. But we’ll find another day soon to get the next step done. Then the next…. Little by little, over time…. 😊
5:38 Wise choice! I did cut out multiple pieces that never got completed. Part of that was because I wouldn’t get them done before I, or the child had changed sizes. I still have a blouse cut out from 41 years ago! Luckily that style has come back in fashion, so if I finish it this year it won’t be a loss. 😁
Love the choice of fabric, it's gorgeous. It is fantastic what you can achieve if you set your mind to it. My mom had 10 children and knitted each of us a pullover for Christmas. And each pullover had our name crafted on the front. Hilarious!
I just found your channel. I am a homeschool mama to 13. I still have 7 at home. I sew for myself and my children and grandchildren. I have enjoyed following along with your daily life and how you add sewing into your day. My sewing area is a tiny spot in my laundry room, the benefit to that is that I am right near my children while I work on my sewing. I do little bits here and there. It all eventually adds up to a finished garment.
This video made me cry. Thank you for sharing the real parts of being a mom who is worthy of creating. I’ve been discouraged with my own hobbies as mine gets older and needs more supervision. But your positivity and determination really encouraged me. Your outfit looks amazing and I loved the vloggy yet cinematic style of this video! ❤
Thank you so much for sharing your daily life with your family with us. My family is so small, I have no siblings, no husband, no kids, and my father sadly passed away. Having a big family like yours would be my dream!
My heart swelled watching you in this video...the overwhelm of limited time and big aspirations...i feel it all the time, and i only have 1 child! Thank you for putting so much work into these videos and sharing. I really appreciate you.
My mom loved sewing and made a lot of clothes growing up I'm the 8th out of 9. She worked in early mornings and evenings. And she gave a lot to us kids
I came to your channel through your haircare videos, but have subscribed and stayed for the sewing! 😊 I don't sew (yet) but I do knit, it is a huge part of my making and creative life but I'm here to tell you that loss of mojo is real!.🙃 It happens...but it always comes back. I have learned not to get anxious about it and let it ebb and flow. You have had so many changes recently and you must be so tired is it any wonder. But still your new outfit turned out amazingly! Just beautiful. 😍 Your kids are very lucky to have a mum like you, and they will learn a lot from seeing you give time to your interests and creativity. ❤❤❤
I'm speachless. You are such an amazing person ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I don't have kids and I rarely sew, but that you exist move me to tears. Big love to you and your family. Love your tips on natural hair care ❤️❤️❤️
I really enjoyed this video. It was so beautifully edited. It was honest, helpful and the sound of your old singer machines are so satisfying. The dress turned out lovely.
Mom of 9 here... I can relate 😊 there are seasons, definitely! There were years were I did not sew at all, and that was fine for the season. So nice that you can get a couple of hours every now and then. Now that my kids are older, I have moved my sewing to an open area in the basement and it's working well for me because kids can be around and I can sew a bit here and there while still being connected to the rest of the family. But of course I get the most done when no one is around and I can focus.
Just wanted to say that I am a huge fan! I’ve shared some of your videos with my 8 year old daughter and we both want to be just like you! It’s so cool to me that you can fully embrace motherhood and not lose yourself to it but still have a creative outlet. I’d love more videos like this.
I have been a sewer for many years and I have made many a mistake but often because our minds aren’t totally on the work. But as I have gotten older I have realised the old ways of putting in the sleeves is not the easiest, although may be correct. But I now do my shoulder seems then without sewing the sleeve shut I gather and sew the sleeve into the arm hole area and it has been a game changer for me. It is still very easy to line up the under arm seams very easy but takes all the fiddly part away. Give it a go. Then just sew the whole side seam including the sleeve seam.
Hand Sewing is one of the things that I love! Your sewing studio is so nice! I totally agree with you that I also value freedom and flexibility. It is such a good point. Your kiddos are so sweet and I love how you navigate between sewing and life. I love to have a project or 2 ready. I will pick it up and work on it , 10 minutes here and there or when I have a bit more time, then I love it.
This was such a delightful video. It reminded me a bit of my own childhood-- my mom was a stay at home, homeschooling mom of a large family, who not only made many of our clothes, but made sure to teach us to sew too. It was such a happy way to grow up, and I am sure that mom's example of creativity was a major influence on the creativity of her children. Thank you for sharing! God bless!
You are so real for this. I have a house full of small kids too (also our daughters are a few weeks apart) and everything you went through in this video I’ve been through 😂 I’ve never felt so seen before. You’re one of the only creators I follow who’s in a same phase of life and motherhood as I am and it makes me feel not so alone
Thanks so much for this comment! It's very validating for me to hear comments like this from moms who are in the trenches along with me. Seriously this is my goal 💕
37:19 one thing I do sometimes, especially with fabric that frays a lot, is to use the overlocker/surger on my pattern pieces after it's been cut out before any construction.
Thank you for sharing your intimate thoughts and feelings which we sometimes just push down in order to cope with managing our tasks. I'm a Mom of 4 children.. I did everything possible to be at home with our children. When they were all at school in the mornings I did the work which required my time away from home in order for me to attend to the children in the afternoons. I understand fully the feeling of prioritising our time.. Thank you for sharing .. ❤
I'm enjoying your sweet video. God bless you, you obviously work hard at all you undertake. I'm almost 60, when my children were under 3 years old, for my own respite I knitted. My two children would say... "Mummy, when you finish your row, could I please have some juice". LoL 😂. They were very polite (British and all that), I didn't want to ruin my row and they understood. It was so cute! You need a hobby for your sanity. Perhaps a new hobby for this season with sewing in the summer months being a higher priority. 🙏❤️🇨🇦
35 year sewist here and mom of six. Ripping out seams is the absolute worst! I recommend the seam ripper that Lee Valley sells. Even though I've been sewing for so long I still sometimes mess up (mom brain!) and the Lee Valley tool makes the chore of ripping out stitches a little more manageable:)
Love seeing every aspect of your videos! I love all the highs and lows you show. All the perfect things and the mistakes. 😂 A good reminder to not see when I’m tired. Not sure I’ll remember though. 😂
Congratulations on your new serger! They save a huge lot of time sewing and will afford you time for many more garments. The amazing thing about the ruffler is that it skips 2 time consuming processes, and can sew the sleeve onto the armhole while gathering the fabric below before every stitch is done. As far as I remember, the only limitation is that it requires 3X fabric length for the gathers compared to the length of fabric of the piece it is sewn onto. I pinned/basted the front and back of sleeve onto the bodice from the underarm seam allowance(underarm open) until the volume of sleeve to attach was 3X the shoulder area left to attatch. I then with ruffler attatched and bodice slipped into its place, stitched the areas where no gathering is needed with the ruffler switched off, only engaging it where the gathering is required.
I raised four kids, and I had all of them by the time I was 23. No twins, I just got an early start. I decided to go to college when I was 24 so I could help with finances after I finished. It proved to be quite the challenge since I quit school half way through tenth grade, and all my children were still so young. At 16 years old all I wanted was to be a wife, and mom. That was a great decision except I didn’t take into consideration how costly it was, and I wouldn’t have any time to myself until I was over forty. I became disabled in ‘06 so although I had plenty of free time I was in too much pain to do a lot. Of course there’s a lot more to my life, but this is about you right now. I think it’s great you have a quiet place to go to, and be alone. It sounds like you have a supportive husband to help with the kids for that short time, and your mind, and body will thank you in the long run. I can tell you that it’s imperative that you take care of yourself now because you’ll want to still be in good shape once the kids are grown.I sewed a portion of mine, and my girls clothes, and anything for the house, or special occasions. I also took care of my children, and animals by myself most of the time because I didn’t have a supportive spouse. Sewing was my “me” time.
I love this vlog style video!! Such a great way for us to share in your journey of creativity and need for that aspect of selfcare in doing something for self in the midst of role of being a mother and a partner ... the dress and tops are just beautiful! Those sleeves are magnificent! Also I love your music choice :)
I loved watching this video. We manage as moms to have pur kids and work. As a teacher I felt a lost some of my creative side. I need to go back and do the things that I enjoy doing. I am learning to sew and I want to lean more with you. I love victorian anything, so I woukd love to learn more. Thank you for sharing all, even the mistakes and that wr can just say "well, it is omay, I can fix it". Great video.
Pump and dump for your husband to feed her . I to have 5 daughters and I sew everything for them from winter jackets to bathing suits . I didn't have a sewing room in my tiny house the kitchen table was used all the time and I sew while my kids play and in the evenings when they went to bed. my husband was a great help when he wasn't working . If only I had a studio it would of been nice . stop buying patterns if you have one you like just change the sleeves or front shirt design ect. it's why I love the kwik sew books for childern it has one pattern that they encourage you to change the pattern into different items . After 35 years it still my go to pattern book I have 5 of these books at arm length at any giving time 😂😂😂
I am so happy I watch this video!!! I make the same mistakes thinking I should not since I have been sewing for a little while. Because of this video, I feel validated!!! Thanks!!!!
The first time i was confronted with the reality of how difficult it is to craft as a mom was when i was still in the hospital after the birth of my first child. I took my project but every time i attempted to get it out someone was visiting or a nurse wanted to check my vitals or it was time to visit the NICU (she was 5 weeks early). When we went home she was still too small to be safely put into a baby carrier so she got used to me holding her all the time because I followed the dr instructions that i needed to make sure she wasn’t crying for more than 5 minutes. (She was only 3.5 pounds when we left the hospital so they didn’t want her losing weight by crying too much, seriously it is possible when your so small). By the time i finally was able to get my hands back even a little the first thing I made was a dedication dress for her out of my wedding dress and it was an all hands on deck endeavor with my mom and sister. I look back and love the wonderful memory of us all getting it done together but it was still a few years before i could do very much garment sewing so i transitioned back to ‘smaller’ things like embroidered baby blankets and cross stitch pieces. When people ask me why i make such a big deal of always having a project or spending so much time making things i tell them because if i dont make things i wont survive. It is something i need. It brings me peace, purpose, and joy outside of my identity as a mother and i feel that is really important especially when navigating the change identity from independent to having someone so fiercely dependent on you. Knowing all this and how few women craft it really is no surprise how many women struggle with ppd. Goodness I’ve written you a novel. Lol but i do want to say thank you for such a wonderful and very real look at the struggles of mothers to make time and space for ourselves and that it’s certainly not wrong to do so even if it is difficult.
For gathering, I've rediscovered a fabulous trick: zigzag over #10 crochet thread. It makes gathering VERY much easier, and there's no risk of thread breaking! Mom of five now-grown children, with my sixth grandbaby on the way. 😊 Keep going Mama, you're doing just fine!
Am very much enjoying your videos! You inspired me to make my own bras; I have the supplies and pattern, but haven’t started yet (other projects to finish first!). I love that you use antique machines, I have my mom’s and grandma’s machines, and should be using them. I use an antique machine to sew patches on leather and denim garments at the local motorcycle dealership. Thank you for your inspiration and honesty! As the oldest of 4, I see you are doing a wonderful job raising your family. Blessings!
23:29 I have one of those tools, but I’ve decided it’s easier for me to stick with the way that I’ve always done that task. I use either needle nose pliers, or hemostats from my nursing days.
Great videography and love the gentle music. Your courage is inspiring ❤. One request: please consider using the upper rear thread guide on your 15-91.
I don’t even know how to sew I can do basic knitting that’s it but I still love your videos I would love to learn how to sew though. I was worried about you in the start of the video when you were teary please be aware if you have post natal depression and get help if you need xxx doing things you love helps
I wish I could sew like you do. I make my own skirts and I love wearing them more than any other skirts but Shirts Mystify Me no end. And never mind anything more complex than that.
Inspiring to watch you sow in your winter jacket and ski trousers . Don't your hands freeze in a cold room. My regularly freeze while sowing or doing anything in a room with a temperature of 5 degrees. How do you manage this? I noticed when I'm tired I would making all kinds of stupid mistakes.
We have industrial space heaters in the studio until we have a working system, but they are too loud to have on while I am filming - so yes, frozen fingers.
Sorry about that, I meant to add the pattern to the description. I have just added the wrap top pattern to the description along with the Helen skirt making video link. The skirt pattern was self drafted with pencil and paper so unfortunately I can't share that at this time.
I recently bought multiple different attachments for my sewing machine that are supposed to help with hemming, gathering, etc. of course I’ve been sewing for over forty years without all these gadgets, but maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks, and I’ll get the hang of them.
Just found your wonderful channel... Noticed in this and another video you carrying your baby on your back, one in a cloth wrap and this in a carrier -- any tips or a video on this would be great, I have a 5 1/2 mo .old (first child) and am realizing I need to figure out carrying her on my back, it's getting more difficult to do dishes/ cook (let alone sew, don't know how you do it) wearing her on the front as she grows! Any baby related videos would be great if you are ever inclined but I know it's maybe not the focus of your channel...:) Also would love to know how you learned to sew (other than practice over time)-- more about your sewing journey -did you learn as a child? How did you end up with the nice old sewing machine?
Thanks for your comment! I love babywearing. I could definitely try to fit that into a future video, if only a short excerpt of it. I watched lots of babywearing videos on RU-vid when I was learning, and practiced with teddy bears. I learned how to back carry after going to a local Baby-wearing group meet up and having an experienced mom help me.
How we do it is just make it happen! Hoe many hours can easily slip away on Instagram or Pinterest? Use that time for whatever your hobby is! Also, learn to multitask. I've knit many sweaters and hats and even hand-stitched an entire dress while breastfeeding/nap-trapped under a baby. 😄
Five kids are a blessing...not today, but someday...God's blessings upon you, really. By the way, you sew very well and I like seeing it. Not much sexier than a woman in snowshoes...I worked in Glacier Montana for quite some time. Snowshoes are awesome.
It is about 1 km away. It was built as a school building by the previous owners. If I were building it, I would want it closer. But I am thankful for it -the distance has its advantages. I can drive there in 2 minutes if I choose, but most days I choose to walk and get some exercise in at the same time.
It completely depends on how much I am prioritizing it and how busy life is. This particular outfit took weeks. Sometimes I finish things more quickly, but only at the expense of letting other things slide for a time.
Is sewing a way for you to earn money or just a past time? I use to make clothes for myself all the time and I loved the "me" time. I dont sew anymore cuz Ive just lost interest, which blows cuz it made me happy
@kaylakae the black Singer looks like a model 15 and the green one looks like model 185J. As for the ruffler you can find plenty of vintage ones online or check your local thrift shop.
The black machine is a 15-91, and the green is a 185J. Love both of them in different ways! I bought the ruffler attachment from www.vintagesingerparts.com :)
A ruffle foot great for large amount of gathering like blankets ,but it hard to get small amount of fabric right like the sleeve but every sewing machine manufacturer has one or a knock off ,you just have to no weather you have a high shank or low shank machine
As I share in the video, we lived in a tiny apartment up until we had three kids, and I did my sewing on either our coffee table, or our tiny kitchen table. I am very blessed to have my studio now, but it didn't happen without much hard work along the way!
You have such a long distance to walk to your studio that it really is a labour of love. I would be far too lazy to walk that far, so I really admire your commitment to your craft 🤗 I love what you made, you look fabulous and it was a pleasure taking this journey with you.
I am enjoying this video SO much! I am currently 3 days post-partum with my 7th baby. Sewing/creating is when I feel the most like myself and so this is very inspiring!
Much respect to you, for your patience, organizational skills, determination to accomplish, and your loving attitude toward your family. God bless you and your family. 😘😘😘
I am starting energetic hand sewing brought from Russia. It is very intersting and I allready have everything needed but the drive to start :) So I feel you.
I used to babysitting for my friend, she's a nurse, but because of so many hours of work I decided not to charge her, she was so happy. I used to live in Austin, she moved to Garland TX. I miss her and the kids. I would do it ALL over again.
Such a lovely and real video. Lovely husbands help dont they?! Someone who values that we NEED this time to feel like ourselves and have that quiet creative time. And whilst it's essential to have concentration time, I also love having that sewing time around my kids too. To have it around them and it be their norm. I also knit and crochet. My daughter (age 9) loves handsewing and we've both learnt to knit together recently. I totally feel the needing time but also having a breastfeeding baby you're aware of needing you. That pull! And the tiredness of having recently had a baby!! My goodness...! That two-piece dress is gorgeous! I want to make it now! The puffed sleeves and tied waist are just beautiful! I hope you can have nice hot drinks in your freezing cold studio when your filming! Maybe sew a hot water bottle cover you can velcro strap around you like a wide belt! I have one! They're amazing. It comes with a hand pouch at the front! 😊
I'm not a stay-at-home mom, but like you, I value freedom and flexibility more than anything! That's why I work without rigid hours as a lawyer. That allows me to still work (I LIKE my job), exercise, be a mom and also sew and knit, which are my favorite hobbies. I also think, like you, that is top priority to keep your creative activities as much as you can as parents, even if that means not playing with them actively all the time...they need to learn their parents have their own life. I hope I'm teaching my daughter that she can be creative and do a lot of stuff at the same time, just like me lol😅
One of the reasons I picked up crochet when I had my 1st was because it was portable, if stitches got pulled out it was easy to pick back up again (not like knitting and picking up all those stitches!) Well done on getting your sewing done 😊
Thank you for showing the realness of life! As a mom, it’s easy for me to get discouraged and feel alone in my struggles. I love watching you create your clothing. It’s beautiful!
I love all those kids and the mistakes. We all think that we're the only ones who make mistakes! I've been sewing for 50 years and keep making those mistakes! I laughed out loud about the cuff being the sleeve head. And girl, you're tired, yes, but it'll get better. Think of making dresses for that girl! Fun!
Dear Katherine, this video is so heartwarming and inspiring, seeing the daily struggles, joys, and sometimes a few tears, of sewing your own clothes. I am not a Mom, but I am chronically ill, so I actually can relate to your situation of not having a lot of time or in my case energy for sewing a lot sometimes, and sometimes it can feel so discouraging and like you'll just never get anywhere. But then I look at wonderful inspiring pictures and videos like yours, of the beautiful things I want to make, and I just pick up and keep going. And actually the main reason for my commenting here, is to encourage you to try doing more hand sewing, as counter intuitive as it sounds, since becoming more ill I have actually switched to sewing entirely by hand, for this season at least, because I find it so much easier to just pick up my needle and thimble and sew a bit, put it down and rest a bit, pick it up and do a bit more. I don't have a dedicated sewing space right now, and somehow I never like setting up my machine just in the middle of the living area, I feel, I don't know, exposed in my creative state or something! :P Plus somehow it feels like it takes so much more energy to set up a machine, get everything ready, move your project there, go back and forth to the ironing board, so on and so on. And so far I have made an entire historical shift/nightdress 100% by hand, and I'm about to finish a 1950s bullet bra by hand as well. I also feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment in my hand skills, in just a few months my hand sewing has improved so much, I have learned to use a tailors thimble, and I can sew so much faster and neater then I used to. It's a great feeling. So while machines are awesome, and I'm certain I will get back to using mine at some point in the future, I would absolutely recommend you trying out more hand sewing, and you might just find that it rekindles your sewing mojo right now. :)
I'm a grandma now, but when I had 4 little ones and wanted to sew I drastically lowered my goals.My sewing goal became to complete 1 step in garment construction every day. I felt immensely productive after completing the 1 step. Goals for 1 day may be to prepare pattern pieces. Another day, lay out pattern piecse. Another day, thread sewing machine. etc. Small steps, but looking back I completed a lot of projects for me and my kids: shorts for each, matching shirts and shorts for traveling, 2 piece top and skirts for myself etc. Love your outfits.
I'm at the end of my third pregnancy and I am very happy to find your channel. I live in a tiny house and I decided to sew only by hand, because taking my sewing machine and tidy it up every time is wasting a lot of time, motivation and space haha. It's always frustrating. I sewed so much more by hand than with my machine, in fact... And it's easier to stop and continue later. I thought "I knit by hand, why not to sew by hand ? It could be more convenient." And it is, with my 2 young children around
Love the outfit! You did well to get it done with a baby in the house:) I also like to sew every day and limit to just one or two projects at a time. I try to focus on the lifestyle of sewing it rather than be goal focussed. This is the first video of yours I've watched. Keen to watch more now :)
Yep, I'm in a similar place with my household and family commitments that are taking (obvious) priority over sewing. The good thing is that it has made me super efficient with my time.
Great to see such a video about your days. :) I'm a mum of 2 and our third baby will be the Earth side in September. I'm a knitter and a knitwear designer - one thing I really love about knitting is how portable it is! I can knit practically anywhere. I also have been wanting to start sewing for ages, and I hope I'll get into it soon as well! Greetings from Moravia. Klára
What memories! We have 9 children who were all breastfed & homeschooled. Not only did I make a lot of my clothes, I made a lot of the clothes for my 3 daughters. The nights I stayed up until 3 AM putting the finishing touches on Easter dresses!
Making my oldest daughter’s formals were without a doubt my biggest challenges. I was working, and raising my last two kids who were rather wild teens. Because we insisted on raising the kids in the country there’s always work to do outside as well, so I do remember having to use my seam ripper a few times. Those errors happened because of fatigue, and me attempting to rush sewing.
