Today I bought a sewing machine. Nothing fancy. Just sewing machine, one each. I purchased it online from Costco. Price was $160. Free delivery. It’s coming tomorrow.
You might ask what I am going to do with said sewing machine, and my answer is, huh? I don’t know, but I’ve been wanting to try something new for ages. I actually do have some sewing experience, but it has been many, many moons since I messed with needles and thread.
But rusty skills was not the primary issue for me. I resisted because I thought, oh, that’s the last thing I need. One more toy. The garage is full. Why throw money at something that might not stick?
But that’s the thing with me and why I enjoy retirement so much. Very little sticks. While I envy those who find a singular purpose and excel at it, I have always been someone who tries many small things. Few of them are permanent.
It’s not that I lack focus, per se, but my focus is sequential or rotating. And it felt like time to throw something new into the rotation. Don’t worry — I’m not giving up art or cooking — just adding one small thing to the mix.
So, I told myself, start cheap. You do not need the sewing machine of the future. The Sewmaster 5000. It’s not a lifelong identity. I will not necessarily be good at this.
It’s an exploration. A hunt for creativity and fun. For provisions, my sister suggested Costco, and boom! I hunted it down and killed it with a credit card like the bloodthirsty predator that I am. She sent me another list of accessories I will need, and it doesn’t look like it will cost me an arm and a leg. Good scissors, thread, a few other niche tools.
I feel better now that I’ve decided I will never find that ONE BIG THING that drives some people to success. That quest was mostly driving me nuts. The key for me is many small things, which I guess could be put under the umbrella of keep moving, continue to learn and stay curious.
And then, of course, write about it.
Well, it is often stated that the best thing for brain health and anti-aging is learning a new skill. Yay for brain health!
I still have the steel Pfaff machine bought at an Army post in Germany in 1966. I never expected that I would still have it at this age but it could tell the story of my life by what what was created (or repaired) on it along the way.
😊
If I abstain from fun and such,
I’ll probably amount to much,
But I shall stay the way I am,
Because I do not give a damn.
— Dorothy Parker
Oh, I am looking forward to reading about and hopefully seeing pictures of what you will create with your sewing machine. There are sooo many directions to choose, lots of ways to be creative and to keep you engaged. It’s got to be hard, waiting to heal enough to get back to some of the more physical things that you enjoy, like golf. A new endeavor is just the ticket!
I’m also a person who needs many interests to keep me going. I would be bored otherwise. I just cycle through them as the mood leads.
My favorite line in your post: I hunted it down and killed it with a credit card like the bloodthirsty predator that I am.
I spoke to a coaching friend recently and said how much I’d love to have had a portfolio career – doing bits & pieces of many different things. She laughed at me and said, well you still work, so why don’t you try it out? That’s the problem with having coaches as friends, they have a tendency to ask the difficult questions. But, she’s right – why not? I’m going to give book narration a try. I’ve always fancied the idea and have found a relatively low cost way in, so won’t berate myself if it doesn’t stick.
You’re right – the whole perfectionist/do one thing forever schtick is overrated.
Sewing is certainly another creative outlet. I think of the quilters & their fabric creations. It’s truly art. I have a 1974 Sears sewing machine that has seen me through the years. The latest project was aprons.
I hope it works. I read this morning anti-inflammatories may help prevent dementia. I’ve got that covered.
Wow, that’s a blast from the past. I first went to Germany in the Army in 1974, so I was a little behind you.
As we used to say in the PR biz when we promoted the company picnic, a good time will be had by all.
We all need a little Dorothy Parker in our lives.
Exactly — we cycle through as the mood leads.
I agree there are so many directions to choose from. The ideas are swirling!
I am so envious of your book narration project. I have Googled voiceover lessons near me …
I was the kid who always got the narration role for the pageants and such. Public speaking was my extracurricular activity in both high school and college. In theory, my job in communications should have been a great outlet for my speaking skills, but I always had bosses who grabbed that part. When I used to whine about my career, my mother used to say, “Do something with your voice.”
How exciting for you!
I think my sister might still have my mom’s old Singer, although she uses something much fancier now. My sister is a skilled seamstress and an accomplished quilter, so I will have an expert to help me along the way. Aprons!!! That was my first project in junior high sewing class. I still remember it. Black and white checked with red rickrack. I’ve been thinking of repurposing stuff I find at thrift shops, and I could see aprons working for that.
Sewing is another of my hobbies that I rotate into my plans. I like having the option of choosing what I feel like doing every day. I’ve had two machines in my adult life. The first when I graduated from college in 1978. I finally replaced it in 2004 when I wanted to get more serious about some of my projects. I don’t sew a lot, but when I do, it’s nice to have a good machine. I have all the accessories too. Good luck with your venture. Can’t wait to hear about/see what you create!!
Good luck with your new sewing venture. As someone who enjoys periodic sewing projects, I understand the urge and satisfaction of sewing. I also hope that since you are a few years younger than me, that you won’t experience the cause of frustration that I had with my two most recent sewing projects. Threading the needle on my sewing machine was WAY harder than the last time I did a sewing project! I resorted to trying to use a ‘needle threader’, which are helpful with needles for hand sewing, but not so easy to use on the needle of a machine. AND it seems like the eyes in machine needles are much smaller than on needles for hand sewing.
After asking several of my sewing friends how they continue to sew as they get older and eyes change, I learned that they do make self threading machines, but these are usually on more expensive machines, and even then don’t work really great. For the occasional projects that I do, it doesn’t make sense to buy a new machine.
Good luck, and I look forward to hearing about some success stories.
I like that you accept you don’t sew a lot, but you know what you want when you want it. So balanced!
I successfully cut off an old pair of pants and turned them into shorts. I love them, but if you look close, it’s a mess. I need to work on stitching a straight line.
The needle threading was the worst!! Mine is not a fancy machine, but it does have an automatic needle threader. If only I could figure out how to use it. My sister is excellent with a sewing machine, and she said she has a hard time with the automatic needle threader, too. She said there’s some other little gadget you can buy that works great. I’ll have to find out what that is. I finally got it done, but you are so right. When did those holes get so small?
Donna, naturally I got a horrible cold and my voice went to hell, so I’ve yet to prepare my first auditions. But I have at least completed the training so am ready to get on with it.
I do hope you grab the opportunity to do it too. I don’t know if you use Instagram, but if you do, check out “alicesockettaudio” who’s done a 21 day series on there about how to do narration for Audible.
One of the things she recommended (for UK based narrators) was to do a course at RADA (for when accents and acting is required) and I’m hugely frustrated that their courses are fully booked, so am waiting for them to release more. I’d pretty much decided I’d go for non-fiction or work where “acting” isn’t a requirement. At least, not yet!
Great info — thanks! I kind of need to slow down for awhile, but I will tuck this away.