(thinking out lout to myself)
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@ai6yr i taught myself to sew (mostly via youtube and indie patterns) starting in about 2022. as a fat person, it feels like a superpower to be able to make things that fit me. i find it so satisfying to be able to repair and alter and design exactly what i want to wear. it's super fun to watch you figure it all out from scratch, although starting from pre-existing patterns made it much easier for me
@piebob NICE! It sure feels like a superpower!!!
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@knowattitude @ai6yr My second year as a USFS firefighter, half my crew and all my crew leaders were women – and they kicked my butt.
@msbellows @ai6yr
It would be interesting to learn who commanded that the smoke jumpers had to sew their own gear. -
@msbellows @ai6yr
It would be interesting to learn who commanded that the smoke jumpers had to sew their own gear.@knowattitude @ai6yr More like, they knew what they needed and no one was making it for them so... sew.
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Anyway, PSA to no one in particular: sewing is an extremely, extremely useful skill to have, of PHENOMENAL usefulness, and it's a shame it's not respected as such (at least, not in the US -- and based on the extremely low value placed in sewing worldwide, probably a global thing). So glad the many folks here have pointed me in the right direction on this. And it's also a shame it's been pretty gender-role limited. (at least for me, a straight male...) I highly recommend everyone and anyone at least learn the basics (repair and some modifications), but if you're into math/puzzles/3d modeling/etc. it is a natural fit to go well beyond that.
@ai6yr you """just""" have to do the appropriate marketing renaming. "sewing" is "women's work" but "tailoring" isn't
but yes, this is a valuable skill, and i wish it wasn't insular and protectionist in the way that many "artisan" skills are
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Anyway, PSA to no one in particular: sewing is an extremely, extremely useful skill to have, of PHENOMENAL usefulness, and it's a shame it's not respected as such (at least, not in the US -- and based on the extremely low value placed in sewing worldwide, probably a global thing). So glad the many folks here have pointed me in the right direction on this. And it's also a shame it's been pretty gender-role limited. (at least for me, a straight male...) I highly recommend everyone and anyone at least learn the basics (repair and some modifications), but if you're into math/puzzles/3d modeling/etc. it is a natural fit to go well beyond that.
@ai6yr I learned to sew doing cosplay shenanigans. I apparently have a knack for invisible zippers. But the skill also applies to random things like fixing backpack straps or other stuff.
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@ai6yr I learned to sew doing cosplay shenanigans. I apparently have a knack for invisible zippers. But the skill also applies to random things like fixing backpack straps or other stuff.
@T2R EXACTLY! It's so useful!
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@ai6yr I learned to sew doing cosplay shenanigans. I apparently have a knack for invisible zippers. But the skill also applies to random things like fixing backpack straps or other stuff.
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@StumpyTheMutt @ai6yr Useful! My hand stitching is terrible. I use a machine 99% of the time.
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@StumpyTheMutt @ai6yr Useful! My hand stitching is terrible. I use a machine 99% of the time.
@T2R @StumpyTheMutt That's where I am now, though I am trying to improve the hand stitching, lol. So useful for sure though, so many places having a machine is useful (I have fixed several of my backpacks, although one I think is going to have to be rebuilt, the cheap synthetic fabric is just wearing out completely due to sun damage...)
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@T2R @StumpyTheMutt That's where I am now, though I am trying to improve the hand stitching, lol. So useful for sure though, so many places having a machine is useful (I have fixed several of my backpacks, although one I think is going to have to be rebuilt, the cheap synthetic fabric is just wearing out completely due to sun damage...)
@ai6yr @StumpyTheMutt I hate synthetics, fraying is always an issue and melting or fray checking the edges looks like crap on repairs.
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@ai6yr @StumpyTheMutt I hate synthetics, fraying is always an issue and melting or fray checking the edges looks like crap on repairs.
@T2R @StumpyTheMutt Yeah, I may have to make a backpack, and make it canvas instead of synthetic. (this is a backpack I use mostly bicycling). It's not holding up very well... Jansport, even. UV damage plus any friction and I have to repair things. Supposed to be "better quality" but....
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@T2R @StumpyTheMutt Yeah, I may have to make a backpack, and make it canvas instead of synthetic. (this is a backpack I use mostly bicycling). It's not holding up very well... Jansport, even. UV damage plus any friction and I have to repair things. Supposed to be "better quality" but....
@ai6yr @StumpyTheMutt ya you're gonna need a thick 'ol treated canvas. Problem is that adds weight. This is the point where I'd fall down the rabbit hole on backpack research for materials and reducing friction in problem spots etc. I'm sure that's just scratching the surface too.
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Anyway, PSA to no one in particular: sewing is an extremely, extremely useful skill to have, of PHENOMENAL usefulness, and it's a shame it's not respected as such (at least, not in the US -- and based on the extremely low value placed in sewing worldwide, probably a global thing). So glad the many folks here have pointed me in the right direction on this. And it's also a shame it's been pretty gender-role limited. (at least for me, a straight male...) I highly recommend everyone and anyone at least learn the basics (repair and some modifications), but if you're into math/puzzles/3d modeling/etc. it is a natural fit to go well beyond that.
@ai6yr
Sewing is not respected because is was traditionally considered woman's work. Except if a man did it, then he was called a tailor.Cooking is not respected because is was considered woman's work. Except if a man did it, then he was called a chef.
See how that works?
Also immigrants who could not speak the new language well could still sew, fit and repair; sinking the skill further into disrespect.
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@ai6yr It is extremely useful!
I have zero sense of direction, so often my makes have lots of unpicking before I'm done (in VERY fast at unpicking, though!) and I also enjoy servicing my vintage sewing machines (I don't do the electric parts. Knowing my limits.) -
Anyway, PSA to no one in particular: sewing is an extremely, extremely useful skill to have, of PHENOMENAL usefulness, and it's a shame it's not respected as such (at least, not in the US -- and based on the extremely low value placed in sewing worldwide, probably a global thing). So glad the many folks here have pointed me in the right direction on this. And it's also a shame it's been pretty gender-role limited. (at least for me, a straight male...) I highly recommend everyone and anyone at least learn the basics (repair and some modifications), but if you're into math/puzzles/3d modeling/etc. it is a natural fit to go well beyond that.
@ai6yr Watching your progress over the past year-plus has motivated me to start learning a thing or two. Working on basic repairs now (buttons, socks, etc.), we'll see where this takes me.
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@ai6yr
Hmmm, I've been procrastinating that for quite a while... how would you suggest one starts?How about a tote bag? They are small, so you won't need a lot of fabric.
They have straight seams. The handles can be strong webbing. If you are feeling adventurous, you can turn your own with self fabric.Use it for groceries. You will learn about:
the strength of your seams
how the shape matters
how much more weight a well designed handle supports.Pockets are optional.
No zippers or buttons yet.
You will get an early success. -
@ai6yr Watching your progress over the past year-plus has motivated me to start learning a thing or two. Working on basic repairs now (buttons, socks, etc.), we'll see where this takes me.
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@ai6yr
Sewing is not respected because is was traditionally considered woman's work. Except if a man did it, then he was called a tailor.Cooking is not respected because is was considered woman's work. Except if a man did it, then he was called a chef.
See how that works?
Also immigrants who could not speak the new language well could still sew, fit and repair; sinking the skill further into disrespect.
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@ai6yr @StumpyTheMutt ya you're gonna need a thick 'ol treated canvas. Problem is that adds weight. This is the point where I'd fall down the rabbit hole on backpack research for materials and reducing friction in problem spots etc. I'm sure that's just scratching the surface too.
@T2R @StumpyTheMutt I have heard a lot of people mentioning Dyneema, but haven't looked into it at all, but I suspect that's more of a weight weenie than a durability choice.
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@ai6yr I learned sewing from a couple of places (my mom & sisters a bit, 4H, school). It really bummed me out that at my teen’s school, which has a very broad arts curriculum, they offer nothing in fiber arts. No sewing, knitting, weaving, etc. He’s doing a theater class this fall that focuses on costume design but the teacher was surprised when I asked about sewing - much more about thrifting (fine) and glue. Missed opportunity.
