People used to say their knitting, quilting and other crafts were dying arts.
But Wendy Toye at Haus of Stitches in Humboldt says people are doing it more than ever, and it is good for you.
“Everybodys’ jobs involve technology, so to sit and do something tactile with fabric and yarn, we see a big increase.”
Back in a time where everything was handmade, it was a big shock when buying things became the norm. Now that people are starting to pick up the knitting needles and yarn all over again, what better time than Christmas to think about all the stuff to make a loved one.
Toye says that gift giving takes thought, and the more time it takes someone to make a gift, the more they think about that person.
“If they just go out and buy something, they think about them for the few minutes while they’re shopping. A lot more thought goes into it when you’re making a handmade gift for somebody.”
There is a greater appreciation for handmade gifts now, as well, says Toye. Not everyone is willing to or has the time to put into a handmade gift.
And making a gift like this does take time.
Toye says she was seeing people purchase their supplies back in September. Handmade quilts can take a couple of months to make, while hats and scarfs, which Toye says she sees a lot of this time of year, can take a couple of weeks.
“They don’t always do it until the last minute but they do put more thought into it so they need a big time frame.”
There can be a lot of work, Toye says, especially for things like quilts and all the fabrics to choose from. Even a sweater can take up to 50-60 hours to knit.
Toye says that she sees supplies given as a gift.
Then they can enjoy what they do, says Toye
It also takes skill to make something and Toye sees an increase in people learning or relearning those skills as well.
Despite popular belief, as well as the trends a few years ago, crafting skills have started to make a comeback, says Toye.
“Quilting, knitting, a lot people young and old, learning or relearning. Some of them have knit when they were kids, they just want to renew skills and get back at it.”
Knitting is very good for you, says Toye, with the repetitive nature being very meditative.
“They call it the new yoga, you sit and do it and you just go to your happy place.”
DIY gifts: my sewing machine doesn’t hate me
It is a strange thing.
I told myself all my life that I could not sew.
I tried it when I was growing up since mom was and still is quite the crafter and she always was willing to share that with me.
Unfortunately, I was not a patient child and that was a horrible combination for trying to learn to make things with the needed amount of patience.
Before now, I always found the hours mom and my sister would spend in craft stores to be so boring. That is until I walked into one with a project in mind.
Then the whole world of opportunity opened up for me.
I still did not have a lot of faith in the face of getting my project done, but looking at everything in the store as fabrics and zippers and thread I could take and build something out of, changed my whole attitude towards the store.
Growing up, I never really finished anything I started.
This definitely played a role in how I saw my little project now.
Looking at what I made now in all its finished glory, this fear of failure did keep me going as the clock clicked on and I was pushing four hours of cutting, pinning, and sewing. I did not want to stop because I knew if I did, there was a big chance it would never get finished.
I also had knowledge behind me. Mom’s friend being my instructor helped me out in a big way by being my guide on my first complete sewing experience. She helped me change the pattern, taught me the best way to start the project, helpful tips and hints for pinning and sewing.
She kept me going and this took away the likelihood of my getting frustrated and quitting.
Maybe I have grown more patient at my age. Even being really tired by the time I was done did not change my attitude towards my project.
I stayed calm when something came up.
I took a breathe when I started to get fatigued by it all.
I did not panic when something went wrong, I just calmly grabbed the seam ripper and went from there.
Nothing could take away the satisfaction I got when the project was finished. It is a hard feeling to explain. I got a genuine feeling of accomplishment when I took those strips of fabric and a spool of thread and made something out of it.
I do not look at it as just a bag, I look at it as a bag I made.
And I hope the recipient gets a good feeling from that, too.
