Danielle Hatfield

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Sewing Without Safety Glasses: Adventures in Creating Dangerously

June 11, 2012 By Danielle Hatfield 4 Comments

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Danielle Hatfield - Sewing without safety glasses

I remember my first BIG sewing project in Home Economics. . . a piece of clothing. Now, up until that point, I was fine with sewing quilts, pillows and other straight line projects that didn’t require me to venture too far out of my comfort zone . . . but clothing?! I was mortified.

My mother assured me that there was nothing to fear and that with practice, I would eventually be able to sew without a pattern and even make my own patterns for clothes, quilts, furniture. . . I could literally have the world on a string!

Learning how to sew my first shirt proved more challenging than I anticipated. . . I just knew that unless I wore safety glasses, the needle would break off in the fabric and blind me as I attempted my first buttonhole. My irrational fear was a symptom of my anxiety of trying something new.

I cried when I couldn’t quite get my seams quite right. It was disappointing that my shirt didn’t have the same polish and perfect seams as the ones in the department stores. Embarrassed to wear my shirt because of the quality of clothing I was comparing it to, I was not able to see my own accomplishments and understand that my sewing skills could improve with commitment and practice.

All of my disappointment and embarrassment melted away when I wore my shirt at a family gathering. My Grandmother hugged me and told me how proud she was of what I had created.  Later that night I sat next to her as she inspected my sewing. With her head tilted back, she began looking at my button holes, cuffs and collar and offering tips on how I could improve.  As she held my shirt in her lap, Grandma shared how she had taught my mother to sew. It wasn’t easy at first, but over time, sewing had became second nature.  My Mother’s seams became straighter, patterns were easier to create and alter. The level of difficulty in a given project not only increased my Mother’s knowledge and confidence in her own sewing skills but opened up a world of possibility as she decorated her home.

Sewing has been one of the skills I am most proud of. I have made curtains, dresses, skirts, aprons, slip covers, pillows and quilts. . . more importantly I have taken off my “safety glasses” both in life and in sewing.

With each project I am reminded of my first attempt at that shirt. . . and how far I have come because I didn’t give up. Each of us can feel inadequate if we constantly compare ourselves to others and neglect creating our own goals and making the time to celebrate personal milestones. There is also valuable perspective and insight we can gain from mentors who are willing to help us become better at what we do.

Sewing, like many things that can enrich our lives both personally and professionally,  is a skill that improves with time. We learn from patterns others have created at first – but the real freedom of success comes when we have the skill to create our own.

Danielle Hatfield - Sewing without safety glasses
Canvas Pillow Cover
My “Madame chair” slip cover and pillow
My first roman shade!
A quilt my mother started made from my Father’s flanel shirts.
Shopping Tote Open
Tote rolled up.
Pillow I designed using buttons.

What was your first sewing project?

 

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Filed Under: Motivational, Sewing, Uncategorized Tagged With: family, life lessons, mentors, sewing

About Danielle Hatfield

Owner/Chief Dirt Digger at Experience Farm - DIYs, recipes and sharing my 2 cents on social media

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I love to share recipes, DIYs, and my two cents on social media.

I am also proud to be the Chief Dirt Digger at Experience Farm where I have worked with my partner and husband Brandon Pierce since 2009.

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I love #DIYs, #recipes, and sharing my 2 cents on social media.

daniellehatfield
My next #FurnitureRestoration project! 😍 This My next #FurnitureRestoration project! 😍

This gorgeous carved #RockingChair is in need of some serious TLC. 

Someone had the brilliant idea of using screws instead of replacing the dowel on the arm. That decision led to many problems including a decorative piece on the broken arm that snapped. 

I’m so fortunate that this beautifully carved chair made its way into my life. (I think it’s walnut wood)

It’s been a few years since I’ve restored anything and I miss the peaceful ritual of bringing a once broken piece back to life. 

I often wonder about the people who made furniture like this and who it was made for. 

I imagine this rocking chair near a window on a sunny day - the perfect spot to knit, sew, or read a book. ❤️
#SmallKindGestures always brighten my day and remi #SmallKindGestures always brighten my day and remind me that I am loved. ❤️

@thebrandonpierce thoughtfully shared this beauty with me today. 😍 

Our small #CottageGarden is slowly waking up from its winter slumber and I can’t wait to see all of the blooms this year. 

I’m *really* excited about our plans to update some of our flower beds 
with a mix of flowers, herbs,  grasses, and vegetables.

#CamelliaTree #camellia #camelliaflower #springblossoms
My #handsewn kitchen curtains are finished! I lo My #handsewn kitchen curtains are finished! 

I loved spending time over the weekend on this #handmade #SewingProject. 🧵

The #RecycledFabric was once part of a bed skirt and I’m so happy that it has finally found a new life. ❤️
🧵 #HandSewing gauzy curtains for the kitchen an 🧵 #HandSewing gauzy curtains for the kitchen and watching #MurderSheWrote.  I’m in heaven. ❤️

#sewingismytherapy #SewingByHand #sewingprojects #sewersofinstagram #sewingproject #sewgood #sewingmeditation #sewingbyhand #slowsewing
A little #WatercolorLandscape I did this morning o A little #WatercolorLandscape I did this morning over coffee. 

#NotAllWhoWanderAreLost ❤️

#watercolorbeginner #watercolor #watercolor_daily #watercolorart #watercolorpainting
“She could be herself, by herself. And that was “She could be herself, by herself. And that was what now she often felt the need of - to think; well not even to think. To be silent; to be alone.” - 
Virginia Woolf, To the Lighthouse

#currentlyreading #woolf #amreading #ViginiaWoolf #tothelighthouse #bedtimebook #bookstagram #readinginbed #openbook #booksta #bookish
HELP! #WhatIsThisThing? An #EggWhisk? A #YarnWin HELP! #WhatIsThisThing? 

An #EggWhisk? A #YarnWinder? Something to do with #canning? 

It’s been hanging in the kitchen for about 3 years and I still don’t know what it is.😩
So I’ve started painting with #watercolor recent So I’ve started painting with #watercolor recently. 

It’s been years since I’ve painted anything but walls or furniture. 

I’m enjoying the challenge of being a #watercolorbeginner - I’m watching tutorials, making mistakes, and enjoying the quiet time I spend being creative. ❤️
😍 Cold rainy days call for serious #comfortfood 😍 Cold rainy days call for serious #comfortfood! 

I whipped up a batch of my #BeanlessChili yesterday and could not wait to make @thebrandonpierce and I some fully loaded #chilicheesefries. 🤤 SO MUCH YUM! (and the chili is even better on day two) 

I may or may not be able to move... send more jalapeños. xxoo
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