By Donna Hruska

So you read the sewing series in the Tribune and you think you’ll try your hand with needle and thread. Well, before you trot off to the fabric shop, I’d like to add a few practical suggestions that the series didn’t include.

First, do you have a private room where you can sew? This is essential, unless you have that rare husband who can maintain his equanimity in the face of a room littered with snips of fabric, odd pattern pieces, tailor’s chalk and pins, pins, everywhere—particularly if you are the absent-minded type who leaves needles stuck in the chair arms.

If you have children, I would suggest a strong lock on the door, preferably a padlock. (My own children are quite adept at opening the regular push button type locks with a screw driver.) There is something about the equipment in mother’s sewing box that draws pre-schoolers like a magnet. They will pick locks, scale walls and batter down closet doors to get at it. Of course, the attraction

But suppose you don’t have any children, or your husband reads PLAYBOY instead of watching TV. Suppose you make your garment and it fits and you’re the envy of all your friends. Your troubles are over, right? Wrong! Nine chances out of ten, if you make more than one garment successfully, you’ve fallen into the home sewer’s trap.

You can’t buy clothes any more. Now you know how they are supposed to fit, with the seams straight and the darts angled just so. No longer will you believe the saleslady when she says, “Just letting it out a little here and taking it up a little there will make it perfect.” Now you realize that you may be a perfect size 12 on the top, but on the bottom you’re at least a 14 and no amount of letting out will make it fit the way it should.

You’ll find yourself turning the dress inside out to see how much seam allowance there is, if the seams are finished properly, how many stitches per inch, what kind of button holes are used. With your new knowledge of proper construction methods, the only ready made clothes that will satisfy you are in the $75 and up class.

But, in spite of all this, if you do find a dress that fits the way it should, is properly constructed and sells for what you used to consider to be a fair price, unless you are a completely impractical (or filthy rich) woman, you’ll find yourself hesitating before you buy it. “You could make two dresses for the price of this one,” a little voice whispers in your ear, and before you know what hit you, there you are back in the fabric department thumbing through those pattern books. You’re caught. Never again can you go on a light-hearted shopping spree for a new dress. In fact, every special occasion that calls for a new dress will probably find you putting in your hem half an hour before it’s time to leave.

You’re still determined to try it? Well then, put your hat back on and get on to that fabric shop. Pick out the prettiest fabric and the pattern that suits you best and go to it. You’ve picked a challenging, satisfying (if somewhat frustrating) hobby.

#

---

Donna Hruska
2711 2nd Private Road
Flossmoor, Illinois

Approximately 850 Words

#