Among Friends

[AuntMame]

I used to do it all--knit, crochet, embroider, needlepoint, sew, quilt. 

Funny how everyone remembers their mom as being the talented seamstress or knitter in the family. That wasn't the case in our house. I taught my mom how to do all those things when I was a teen. And often had to finish the projects she tossed aside.

I still sew clothing for myself, tailor clothes for friends and DH, and sew the occasional home dec item. 

I knit only as a way to relieve stress, and rather mindlessly at that. 

My declining vision and arthritis make everything else too difficult to enjoy any longer. I do miss it.

I now buy all supplies, including fabric and yarn, on the internet because all the stores that sell those things have vanished from our city. 

[Citrine1]

That's a beautiful afghan, @Susan Louise . I love the rich, autumnal colors!

[Dusty1]

@SandySparkles They do love their video games. And football. And dirt biking.

They like to use my Cricut to make numbers & stickers for the dirt bikes.

But they all also love to craft.

They have learned to use my sewing machine & hand stitch. 

Off & on they have tried to crochet but none of them have the patience for it, yet, but I like that they all know the basics.

[SandySparkles]

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@AuntMame wrote:

I used to do it all--knit, crochet, embroider, needlepoint, sew, quilt. 

Funny how everyone remembers their mom as being the talented seamstress or knitter in the family. That wasn't the case in our house. I taught my mom how to do all those things when I was a teen. And often had to finish the projects she tossed aside.

I still sew clothing for myself, tailor clothes for friends and DH, and sew the occasional home dec item. 

I knit only as a way to relieve stress, and rather mindlessly at that. 

My declining vision and arthritis make everything else too difficult to enjoy any longer. I do miss it.

I now buy all supplies, including fabric and yarn, on the internet because all the stores that sell those things have vanished from our city. 

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@AuntMame Welcome!🥰 I am sorry you have medical issues that prevent you from doing what once brought you joy, but think it is WONDERFUL that you are STILL able to relieve stress by knitting!❤

THANK you SO much for caring to share!🤗

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

[Estellee]

I learned to sew in high school in my home ec classes. Also, my mother taught me how to knit. It was something I liked in my teens and twenties but I have gotten away from it.

[Cakers3]

Crochet - afghans, baby blankets, hanging plant holders, and collars for plant pots. I had a book from the Sunset series where I found most of the patterns.

Sewing - I took lessons from the local Singer Sewing Store around the age of 10. We modeled what we made at the end in a show.😄 Nothing fancy just a show in the Singer Sewing store with  parents. Also took one sewing class in high school.I used to make some of my own leisure clothes. Nothing fancy.

Cross Stitch/Counted Cross Stitch, Crewel, Needlepoint - Holiday items especially Christmas, kitchen themed pictures, flower pictures, baby themed items. Plastic canvas too.

Latch hook kits but only made one wall hanging for son's nursery.

Knitting - only made one scarf for my mother. 

Quilting- never tried.

The Sunset books from the 1970s were the best for instruction for crochet.

Still enjoy crafting but fine needlework is not in the picture anymore.

[Lilysmom1]

@AuntMame , I am a quilter.  I make one every winter.  The number of quilting shops has dramatically reduced over the last decade or so.  Interesting that you buy fabric online.  Have you found a trusted supplier?

[AngelPuppy1]

@SandySparkles 

I am right there with you!  Same with me!  My dear Mother was so talented - she could do it all - sew, knit, crochet, make quilts, ceramics, floral arranging, etc., etc., etc.!  Me???  Ha - double ha!  She tried to teach me to do crocheting and I am left-handed so it was even more challenging, so I gave up.  I do not believe I have even one crafty gene in my whole body and it makes me sad!  I will go in Michael's or Hobby Lobby and just walk around and am in awe and I can't do a blessed thing!  So, you are not alone..... 

[Carolina925]

My mother used to crochet all the time and I never could understand how she could watch TV or just sit and talk without even looking at her work! She tried to teach me but I couldn't, for the life of me, get my fingers to work. Now, with my arthritic fingers, I know it would be impossible. I did a lot of counted cross stitch back in the 80s and found it to be therapeutic. I started one for my mother with one of her favorite hymns, then time got away from me and she passed. I found it years ago and tried to at least finish it for myself but my eyes had gotten so bad that I could no longer do it. Now that I've had cataract surgery, I could probably finish it now. Someday, I suppose.

I also did quilting, was in a quilters group in our local technical school, which was lots of fun. I can see why ladies a long time ago did this for the fellowship involved.

I did lots of macrame in the 70s. Had an aunt who did beautiful tatting, which was pretty amazing to watch. Arthritis has pretty much taken away anything that calls for hand work.

[annie57]

I began sewing clothes for myself when I was thirteen. I sewed for many years then I lost interest because I didn't have the time. I then began to do counted cross stitch. I made many pictures, afghans,etc. I stopped doing that because of my eyesight. Now, for the last few years I have been doing embroidery and regular cross stitch. I belong to a quilting group which I love.  I have quilted one quilt , piecing it all together and hand quilting, but  I have purchased two top quilt pieces and then I hand quilted it myself. I just finished a queen size quilt which consisted of thirty cross stitch panels. It came out really nice. I make cross stitch lap quilts, tablecloths, table runners, etc. I love it! It is so relaxing to me.The bigger the project, the better.