A practical hobby can be a very good thing

Hello everyone!  As you've probably already noticed, I'm enjoying my new-found hobby of sewing quite a lot.  One of the things I'm particularly pleased with is the fact that even though I am spending money on this hobby I am also achieving something very practical and usable in my everyday life and also helping to keep a bit of traditional knowledge alive at the same time. I have new-found respect for those stalwart women of yesteryear who after a hard day's work still sat down to many hours of hand-stitching their family's clothing by dim light. Even with a very minimal wardrobe per person, that must have been quite a job.   As for myself, I am very thankful that modern sewing machines are affordable and easy-enough to come by.

I work in a corporate office environment and so need a particular type of wardrobe which in our neck of the woods can mean forking over a bit of cash if you aren't fortunate enough to find what you need at a discount store like Marshall's or TJMaxx.  And sometimes even those prices can be a bit more than I like to spend.  Looking polished and professional through creating my own wardrobe pieces (by way of something I find enjoyable in my downtime) gives me a great sense of satisfaction.

Here's a look at my 3rd, 4th, and 5th dress projects that I've completed and which along with the previous two have already been put to good use in my office wardrobe.

This is Vogue Pattern's Misses Dress #8146.  I've sewn it in three different fabrics, all of which I bought on sale or with a coupon from Joann Fabrics.  Each of these dresses was completed for well under $40.

Dress #3: Sewn in a burgundy red (Biking Red) Stretch Cotton Sateen fabric from Joann Fabrics - finished cost = $18.47






Dress #4: Sewn in a floral peachskin fabric (Simply Silky Prints Cosmos Poppy Spray Peachskin) from Joann Fabrics - finished cost = $22.47
















Dress #5: Sewn in red & white polka dot satin fabric from Joann Fabrics - finished cost = $37.14 This dress I experimented with the pattern by changing the neckline shape and by adding a full lining of the same fabric as the dress.








How about you? Have you found interesting and practical ways to incorporate your hobbies into your everyday life?  I'd love to hear about them.




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