? for the guys

[Karl_K]

Do you know how to sew?

I was pondering this while sewing together a couch pillow that had burst.
Just how many guys know how to sew these days?

It was leaking stuffing from a 6 inch gash where it burst, so I grabbed my moms sewing basket(I really miss her) out of the coffee table and and started sewing it with my patented double number 8 thread over and under lock stitch that my home ec teacher took one look at and said... well at least that part would survive a nuclear bomb.
When I fluffed the pillow the other side bust so it went in the trash. I wonder how long it will take my wifey to notice it gone. lol



For the Ladies could not resist looking, do the men and boys in your life know how to sew?
Do they even still teach sewing in school anymore?

 

[TooPatient]

Hi Karl!

DH knows how to sew. He's quite happy to mend his socks, pillows, whatever. He fixed a couple dozen stuffed (or unstuffed as the case may have been...) dog toys just last month. I can't say it looks good, but it does the job.

I never learned how to sew in school. That was something I learned from my grandmother. There was a sewing club after school I was in too. "A" did not learn to sew at school and had no interest when I tried to teach her. Some schools may teach it still, but none that I have seen have it as part of the curriculum anymore.

 

[arkieb1]

My husband's grandmother used to own a haberdashery shop which have basically disappeared these days but she would go out with fabric and a sewing machine and make curtains and chair covers and clothing for people on farms in remote areas in rural Australia. My husband as a result can sew infinitely better, faster straighter etc than I can. I hated sewing at school no patience for it, refused to learn how to knit because I saw it as stereotypical "women's" work and instead at school took Tech drawing (which was basically drafting) and things like woodwork etc.

 

[Karl_K]

arkieb1,
Growing up I never saw sewing as women's work(still dont) because both my Dad and Mom sewed.
She did general mending, both machine and by hand and my dad had an industrial machine in the basement that he rebuilt that he did zippers in coats and heavier stuff. He did some for the neighbors also.
I learned how to do it at a young age, I was never that great at it because I did not have the patients for it.
Hence my over under lock stitch because I could stick something together and make it stay with 1/2 the stitches.
My mom's machine was kind of finicky so she didn't like me messing with it, but I could do it fairly well when she let me.
In school I did well on the machine sewing part of the class.

Every time I bring out the sewing box it brings memories of snuggling up to my mom on the couch watching tv and she would sometimes sew during the commercials.

 

[kenny]

I sew, both by hand and also using our 1950s machine.

 

[arkieb1]

arkieb1,
Growing up I never saw sewing as women's work(still dont) because both my Dad and Mom sewed.
She did general mending, both machine and by hand and my dad had an industrial machine in the basement that he rebuilt that he did zippers in coats and heavier stuff. He did some for the neighbors also.
I learned how to do it at a young age, I was never that great at it because I did not have the patients for it.
Hence my over under lock stitch because I could stick something together and make it stay with 1/2 the stitches.
My mom's machine was kind of finicky so she didn't like me messing with it, but I could do it fairly well when she let me.
In school I did well on the machine sewing part of the class.

Every time I bring out the sewing box it brings memories of snuggling up to my mom on the couch watching tv and she would sometimes sew during the commercials.

My mother and grandmother both sew, knit really well my mother does macrame etc too. My father is English he doesn't cook, clean or sew. When I went to school cooking, sewing etc seemed to be more female orientated subjects, Tech drawing, woodwork and metalwork more boy's subjects so I dunno I just gravitated towards those in junior school and economics in senior school. My husband cooks and sews better that I do although my cooking is O.K, better than my sewing. He doesn't clean up after himself though.....

 

[ksinger]

At one point the hubs owned a sail loft. He not only made and repaired sails, but sail covers, cushions, basically any canvas work that needed doing. He no longer makes sails, but still does the canvas work.

At one point we had 5 sewing machines - mostly inherited. We still own several machines, my mom's old Singer 3115 straight stitch, and his professional Bernina which can push through just about anything and can stand up to the heat generated by industrial fabrics and sail materials.

The weirdness here? You'd have thought I would be the one to sew, not him. My mom was a superlative sempstress, but with me it just never took, much to her sadness. I still don't do machine sewing, although I have done quite a bit of fine needlework since about age 35, and can do most hand repairs on clothing.

He still can't hem a pair of pants though.

 

[Missy]

For the Ladies could not resist looking, do the men and boys in your life know how to sew?

Haha how funny. Just a while ago I was reading and responding to Cozy and her sewing post. Yes my dh taught himself (bought a sewing machine and watched youtube videos to teach himself) to sew a few years ago and I love it! I get perfectly altered clothes and so does he and he also creates some lovely pieces. And hopefully it is just the beginning.

Do it Karl! I bet you would have wonderful sewing skills! You are talented and creative.

 

[LJsapphire]

He did learn, including how to use a sewing machine - but he can't sew because his hands shake too much.
My son has learned a little bit of sewing, but he is only 8.

 

[Missy]

He did learn, including how to use a sewing machine - but he can't sew because his hands shake too much.
My son has learned a little bit of sewing, but he is only 8.

Ooh yes the key is training the younger generation of boys who will then become skilled and self reliant and responsible young men who will make great partners for their SOs!

 

[Karl_K]

Ooh yes the key is training the younger generation of boys who will then become skilled and self reliant and responsible young men who will make great partners for their SOs!

I agree 100%. I was around 7-8 when I started.
My mom gave me some old dish clothes to practice on.

 

[Karl_K]

Do it Karl! I bet you would have wonderful sewing skills! You are talented and creative.

I can make things stick together but I am really all thumbs and it sure isn't pretty.

 

[kenny]

On a similar note, Back in the 1970s I was the only boy in high school Typing and Home Economics classes.
I really enjoyed learning how to use a kitchen.

But there were no girls in the Architectural Drafting, Wood Shop, or Metal Shop classes.

When I was around 8 I used to knit, but my dad and 2 brothers gave me so much shit I stopped.

 

[asscherisme]

One of my sons can sew. He will mend his own clothes@ He learned how to in school, Jr. High. My other son who took the same course didn't retain any of it. My daughters who also took the same course can't sew.

 

[LJsapphire]

Ooh yes the key is training the younger generation of boys who will then become skilled and self reliant and responsible young men who will make great partners for their SOs!

He had to sew a crown shape for a pillow for Henry VIII - they have been learning about Monarchs in history. They also had a visit from an actor/lookalike in the role.

 

[Cozystitches]

Too funny!!! I just responded to missy about sewing! The only male in my family to sew is my dad, and he's just started to get back into it (I gave him one of my vintage babies for Christmas, a 201k). My husband has zero interest, other than if the dogs rip apart one of their toys (I loathe repairing those!!! They're always slobbery) As for me, I love it and use vintage machines. Here's a picture of my babies (includes the 201k I gave to dad and but not the 99k I gave to baby sister, or my POS plastic princess modern machine who lives in a box until I get the guts to sell her)

 

[Karl_K]

Cozystitches,
Awesome machines!!! The first group looks like my dads but his was about 2x+ as large as the bigger one.
It was the industrial version of those machines and would do heavy canvas and thick jean material.

 

[monarch64]

One of my clients is a tailor and many of her employees over the years have been men. Although, finer details like hand beading are typically done by her female employees who have smaller hands with which to do more intricate work, I think.

I know a few dudes who can sew a button (not properly with a shank and such) and mend a tear or patch something, but not many. Tailoring by men is somewhat of a dying art these days. Hopefully with the advent of shows like Project Runway and other shows that feature male designers and sewists we will start to see boys and young men picking up a needle and thread. There is so much math and geometry involved in drafting patterns, etc that I don’t know why men aren’t more interested, if were speaking in terms of women’s work vs men’s typical work/roles.

I tried to take shop class in junior high. That was a huge fail as the first day the boys bullied me relentlessly and the teacher turned his back and let it happen. That’s fine. I ended up with a degree in textiles, and a nice long career in cities seeing things those podunks would never even think to aspire to. Half of them are miscreant methheads who’ve spent most of their time in jail.

 

[Karl_K]

Here is the one my mom had that I learned on when she would let me.
It was very finicky.

 

[LJsapphire]

My ex-FIL used to do cross stitch or embroidery pictures, I can't remember what type they were but they were amazing. I tried a cross-stitch sampler for my son while I was pregnant. It was a Winnie the Pooh one ... I did the main bit but I never finished.

 

[kenny]

I don't know why but I love old sewing machines.
There's just something special about them ... maybe that romantic bygone era thing.

A brand new one from Costco for $69?

A few years back I was lusting for a new high end Bernina, one of the models still made in Switzerland.
Not sure why; I can't justify the price.

 

[monarch64]

@kenny I know a Bernina dealer...maybe I’ll try to finagle one at cost and invite you over for a sewing bee. But seriously if you can find a dealer in your area who also offers demos and lessons/group workspace (that’s what my client does) it would be a great way to use a Bernina without buying one. Or you could visit me...you’d love Bloomington!

ETA I have a Brother Project Runway version that does a lot of fun stitches and is useful for my occasional sewing purposes. If anyone’s reading this and interested in a model that’s user friendly for the budget conscious I recommend it.

 

[partgypsy]

My lil' brother took home ec instead of workshop in HS because he thought it would be more useful (plus he was already self-taught on alot of mechanical stuff)l. He really got into sewing, and in fact created a small business where he would sew customized snow pants and snow suits for kids in HS. My sister also enjoyed sewing. She typically wouldn't sew from scratch but would take thrifted items and then "hack" them, make them either fit better or make them into something different. she also sewed to make little purses and fun pillows.
We also learned how to knit/crochet from our grandmother but neither of us kept it up. Pretty much everyone in my family are artists and/or good with their hands.

 

[stracci2000]

When I was a kid, grandma gave us her old black Singer (like the one in Cozystitches photo above) and I pretty much taught myself.
When in Jr. high school, I took a sewing class. Now I watch Youtube videos. So much to learn!
DH bought me a Brother machine several years ago, and I love it.
I don't know how people survive without a sewing machine. It is so incredibly useful for so many things around the house, not just making garments. I also like to alter my own clothes.

 

[daneshpastry]

I have no clue how to sew (and I used to work at a tailor shop!)

I guess I could sew a button back on, but even that would lack confidence.

 

[Gussie]

Sew? Are you kidding me? My husband doesn't even notice when something needs to be sewn! Lol.

My daughters take a sewing class after school. They love it!

And @Karl_K, I have read several of your posts about your mother. I am sorry for your loss yet happy for you that you have such fond memories.

 

[Karl_K]

Sew? Are you kidding me? My husband doesn't even notice when something needs to be sewn! Lol.

My daughters take a sewing class after school. They love it!

And @Karl_K, I have read several of your posts about your mother. I am sorry for your loss yet happy for you that you have such fond memories.

Thank you.
It is really hard to believe it will be 20 years this year since she passed.

 

[Dee*Jay]

Both my mother and grandmother were professional seamstresses and could sew up an absolute storm! Me though... I'm not sure could do a straight seam, even after taking two years of home ec! (I also can't so much as make a grilled cheese... hmmm... apparently I'm not a very good student!)

That being said, my best friend from law school's partner is an AMAZING sewer! He make a quilt for every baby that comes into the family and they are truly future heirlooms. He also sews other thing, but those quilts... !

I dated a man once who owned a sail loft (although I don't think it was your husband, ksinger!), but that's the only other guy I know that I'm sure can sew.

 

[mrs-b]

My husband can hem a pair of trousers (badly), but that's about it.

My best friend (also a guy) can't sew - but BOY, can he KNIT! I have a gorgeous shawl he knitted for me and it's just beautiful. I've dragged this thing around the world on multiple occasions, used it in front of the tv, taken it to the movies to put over my knees, used it as a pillow, taken it to hospital with me, and sometimes just used it as a comforting piece of home. Here's a photo; it's over 7 foot in length, but this is just the end of it.

ETA I just realized the detail really doesn't come up in the photo - but it's the best I can do. You get the general idea.

 

[House Cat]

My husband learned to sew in home ec. He also does all of the ironing in the house.

My mom and aunt are amazing seamstresses. They can sew anything. They even made me a boatload of Barbie clothes with I was little. They tried. Oh how they tried to teach me to sew. Because I am an obsessive perfectionist, I couldn’t live with sewing a crooked line, which is what beginners do. This made me cry with frustration and give up on the process.

I admire anyone who can sew. It’s a real skill and talent.