I didn’t ever keep a journal or diary when I was growing up. I tried a couple of times, but was always so embarrassed when I re-read what I’d written that I quickly ripped it up into tiny pieces. So it often surprises me that I have kept on blogging – now for 10 whole years! I discovered craft blogs when I was searching for a pattern for a fabric headband. I found one by Heather Bailey, and that rapidly sent me down the rabbit hole. The blogroll led me to one blog, then another, then another. I bought chenille online from Jodie, and she encouraged me to start my own blog.
My first blog entries were about bags and clothes I’d sewn for Clare. I was quite pregnant with Stella when I started blogging. Back then I was sewing simple chenille and fabric square cot quilts for the babies that were entering my family and friends’ lives. I learned to crochet, and started off with scarves and hats.
I was sewing pillowcase dresses, yet more fabric bags, and various craft items. My sewing room was still being set up and organised. I took headless photos so that I wouldn’t be identified – that seems hilarious to me now! I took part in online quilting bees, posted vintage crochet photos, sewed for the girls and for myself. I did pattern testing, was part of “blog hops”, and improved my ICT skills.
The blog started in February, and Stella was born at the beginning of June. So I’ve been blogging for all of her life! Many of you have watched my kids grow up. Clare from a pre-schooler to a teenager, now in year 9. Stella from birth to almost ten years old! All those cliches about time flying – they’re true.
Right from the start, I began to meet people online. Fellow crafters and crocheters and talented quilters. I gradually began to meet online friends in person. Weekend sewing weekends away started. Other crafty gatherings. I found more blogs about garment sewing, and shifted back from general craft and quilting to what I had been doing all my life – sewing clothes for myself. And I met more and more people. Many of these people are now among my closest friends and I love them dearly.
I have learned a great deal about sewing while I’ve been blogging. The blog scene has changed over the years, with much less commenting and even much less posting on blogs as many have moved over to instagram. Some of my favourite sewing blogs have now been inactive for a long, long time, but others have sprung up in their place. I have gone through a number of hair colour and style changes and have clearly gained, lost, and regained a lot of weight!
As much as I love instagram, to me there is nothing that quite beats the detail you can find in a blog, and the friendships that you can form. It’s that community – the great parts and even the snark. Sure, we won’t like everyone who sews just because they sew. But it’s a great starting point. And it’s allowed my textile interests to blossom. No longer am I that kid sitting in my Nanna’s lounge room reading back copies of Golden Hands Monthly. I am sewing, crocheting, quilting, crafting, and sharing what I’m doing with people who are interested, encouraging and enthusiastic. My skills have definitely gone up a notch or two or three, and I feel part of something.
And that’s due to all of you. Thanks go to those of you who blog yourselves, and share so much. Thanks to everyone who reads my blog, whether you are able to take the opportunity to comment or not. My life has been enriched by the sewing blog community. Ten years ago I never would have dreamed that this would be such a wonderful part of my life. Thank you.
