<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[Janome Life]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[https://janomelife.wordpress.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[trinagallop]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://janomelife.wordpress.com/author/trinagallop/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[Why do you&nbsp;sew?]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="20592" data-permalink="https://janomelife.wordpress.com/2018/11/30/why-do-you-sew-2/d1969a4c-3ff1-42a6-a0e8-c46ad6613965/" data-orig-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/d1969a4c-3ff1-42a6-a0e8-c46ad6613965-e1562280088328.jpeg" data-orig-size="300,186" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 8&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1543437608&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;3.99&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;40&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.05&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="D1969A4C-3FF1-42A6-A0E8-C46AD6613965" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/d1969a4c-3ff1-42a6-a0e8-c46ad6613965-e1562280088328.jpeg?w=300" data-large-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/d1969a4c-3ff1-42a6-a0e8-c46ad6613965-e1562280088328.jpeg?w=300" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20592" src="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/d1969a4c-3ff1-42a6-a0e8-c46ad6613965.jpeg?w=3789&#038;h=2354" alt="D1969A4C-3FF1-42A6-A0E8-C46AD6613965" width="3789" height="2354" /><br />
Why do you sew? What motivates you to spend hours in your sewing room, perched over your cherished sewing machine?</p>
<p>I&#8217;ve written about this before (both <a href="https://janomelife.wordpress.com/2017/03/10/why-do-you-sew/">here</a> and <a href="https://janomelife.wordpress.com/2015/09/30/why-we-quilt/">here</a>) but I was thinking about this again as I was working on my latest project.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="20588" data-permalink="https://janomelife.wordpress.com/2018/11/30/why-do-you-sew-2/img_5140/" data-orig-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/img_5140-e1562280022114.jpg" data-orig-size="300,225" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 8&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1543265487&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;3.99&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;40&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.066666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="IMG_5140" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/img_5140-e1562280022114.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/img_5140-e1562280022114.jpg?w=300" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20588" src="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/img_5140.jpg?w=4032&#038;h=3024" alt="IMG_5140" width="4032" height="3024" /></p>
<p>In addition to sewing because I like to be creative, and because I literally like to make things for other people, I also sew because it&#8217;s a way to get exactly the outcome that I want.</p>
<p>I&#8217;ve been looking for a particular style of tunic top for my daughter for a while. I looked at all the usual retail stores, and even searched through Etsy. But just recently I found a <a href="https://shopwiksten.com/collections/baby-child-sewing-patterns/products/baby-child-smock-top-dress-sewing-pattern">pattern that was exactly what I wanted</a> and I had my ah-ha moment &#8211; I can make this in ALL the colours, and even play with different fabrics!</p>
<div class="tiled-gallery type-rectangular tiled-gallery-unresized" data-original-width="500" data-carousel-extra='{&quot;blog_id&quot;:13933533,&quot;permalink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/janomelife.wordpress.com\/2018\/11\/30\/why-do-you-sew-2\/&quot;,&quot;likes_blog_id&quot;:13933533}' itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageGallery" > <div class="gallery-row" style="width: 500px; height: 189px;" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="189" > <div class="gallery-group images-1" style="width: 250px; height: 189px;" data-original-width="250" data-original-height="189" > <div class="tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-small" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject"> <a href="https://janomelife.wordpress.com/2018/11/30/why-do-you-sew-2/img_5136/" border="0" itemprop="url"> <meta itemprop="width" content="246"> <meta itemprop="height" content="185"> <img data-attachment-id="20595" data-orig-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/img_5136-e1562280142847.jpg" data-orig-size="300,225" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 8&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1543257434&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;3.99&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;40&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.05&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="IMG_5136" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/img_5136-e1562280142847.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/img_5136-e1562280142847.jpg?w=300" src="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/img_5136-e1562280142847.jpg?w=246&#038;h=185" width="246" height="185" data-original-width="246" data-original-height="185" itemprop="http://schema.org/image" title="IMG_5136" alt="IMG_5136" style="width: 246px; height: 185px;" /> </a> </div> </div> <!-- close group --> <div class="gallery-group images-1" style="width: 250px; height: 189px;" data-original-width="250" data-original-height="189" > <div class="tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-small" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject"> <a href="https://janomelife.wordpress.com/2018/11/30/why-do-you-sew-2/img_5137-2/" border="0" itemprop="url"> <meta itemprop="width" content="246"> <meta itemprop="height" content="185"> <img data-attachment-id="20596" data-orig-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/img_5137-e1562280164978.jpg" data-orig-size="300,225" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 8&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1543258033&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;3.99&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;64&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.066666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="IMG_5137" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/img_5137-e1562280164978.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/img_5137-e1562280164978.jpg?w=300" src="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/img_5137-e1562280164978.jpg?w=246&#038;h=185" width="246" height="185" data-original-width="246" data-original-height="185" itemprop="http://schema.org/image" title="IMG_5137" alt="IMG_5137" style="width: 246px; height: 185px;" /> </a> </div> </div> <!-- close group --> </div> <!-- close row --> </div>
<p>AN ASIDE: What is your favourite part of a sewing project? I confess&#8230; cutting out fabric patterns and pieces is NOT my favourite part of any project. In fact, if I&#8217;m stalling to get something done, it&#8217;s probably because I&#8217;m on that step of the process! But I digress&#8230;</p>
<p>I love the simple look of this tunic dress. Pair it with tights, a sweater in the winter, it&#8217;s the perfect outfit for play, brunch meet-ups, and more.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="20584" data-permalink="https://janomelife.wordpress.com/2018/11/30/why-do-you-sew-2/img_5141/" data-orig-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/img_5141-e1562279955565.jpg" data-orig-size="300,225" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 8&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1543266587&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;3.99&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;50&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.066666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="IMG_5141" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/img_5141-e1562279955565.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/img_5141-e1562279955565.jpg?w=300" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20584" src="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/img_5141.jpg?w=4032&#038;h=3024" alt="IMG_5141" width="4032" height="3024" /></p>
<p>I had this linen fabric on hand and it was great to work with for my first time through this pattern. I can see a lot more of these dresses in my sewing future.</p>
<p>And, I love a dress with pockets. I was joking around with my friend because you know &#8220;kids these days&#8221; and technology &#8211; we noticed that the pockets would fit a smart phone perfectly &#8211; LOL! Don&#8217;t worry&#8230; I don&#8217;t let her walk around with my phone (unless it really is one of THOSE days). But my girl sure loves to FaceTime with Grandma and Grandpa.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="20587" data-permalink="https://janomelife.wordpress.com/2018/11/30/why-do-you-sew-2/img_5144/" data-orig-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/img_5144-e1562421507231.jpg" data-orig-size="225,300" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 8&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1543295874&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;3.99&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;80&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.066666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="IMG_5144" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/img_5144-e1562421507231.jpg?w=225" data-large-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/img_5144-e1562421507231.jpg?w=225" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20587" src="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/img_5144.jpg?w=3024&#038;h=4032" alt="IMG_5144" width="3024" height="4032" /></p>
<p>One of my favourite details about this is all the gorgeous edge and top stitching.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="20591" data-permalink="https://janomelife.wordpress.com/2018/11/30/why-do-you-sew-2/31f71f87-eea6-441c-9a3f-05c647c719b5/" data-orig-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/31f71f87-eea6-441c-9a3f-05c647c719b5-e1562421484611.jpeg" data-orig-size="225,300" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 8&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1543437638&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;3.99&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;64&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.066666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="31F71F87-EEA6-441C-9A3F-05C647C719B5" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/31f71f87-eea6-441c-9a3f-05c647c719b5-e1562421484611.jpeg?w=225" data-large-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/31f71f87-eea6-441c-9a3f-05c647c719b5-e1562421484611.jpeg?w=225" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20591" src="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/31f71f87-eea6-441c-9a3f-05c647c719b5.jpeg?w=3024&#038;h=4032" alt="31F71F87-EEA6-441C-9A3F-05C647C719B5" width="3024" height="4032" />To keep all my seams and edging precise, I used the <a href="https://www.janome.com/accessories/sewing-machine-feet/dual-feed-foot/">AcuFeed Flex Dual Feed Holder with AD Foot.</a> It&#8217;s quickly becoming my go-to sewing machine foot. It keeps all my fabric from bunching and pulling.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="20594" data-permalink="https://janomelife.wordpress.com/2018/11/30/why-do-you-sew-2/90087a98-e61b-49e0-b3a4-e15856c6b82f/" data-orig-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/90087a98-e61b-49e0-b3a4-e15856c6b82f-e1562421463783.jpeg" data-orig-size="225,300" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 8&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1543258834&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;3.99&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.033333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="90087A98-E61B-49E0-B3A4-E15856C6B82F" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/90087a98-e61b-49e0-b3a4-e15856c6b82f-e1562421463783.jpeg?w=225" data-large-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/90087a98-e61b-49e0-b3a4-e15856c6b82f-e1562421463783.jpeg?w=225" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20594" src="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/90087a98-e61b-49e0-b3a4-e15856c6b82f.jpeg?w=3024&#038;h=4032" alt="90087A98-E61B-49E0-B3A4-E15856C6B82F" width="3024" height="4032" /></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="20593" data-permalink="https://janomelife.wordpress.com/2018/11/30/why-do-you-sew-2/674046b3-f18d-4af4-9d0f-c09669bf71d0/" data-orig-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/674046b3-f18d-4af4-9d0f-c09669bf71d0-e1562421473921.jpeg" data-orig-size="225,300" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 8&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1543258881&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;3.99&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;40&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.05&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="674046B3-F18D-4AF4-9D0F-C09669BF71D0" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/674046b3-f18d-4af4-9d0f-c09669bf71d0-e1562421473921.jpeg?w=225" data-large-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/674046b3-f18d-4af4-9d0f-c09669bf71d0-e1562421473921.jpeg?w=225" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20593" src="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/674046b3-f18d-4af4-9d0f-c09669bf71d0.jpeg?w=3024&#038;h=4032" alt="674046B3-F18D-4AF4-9D0F-C09669BF71D0" width="3024" height="4032" /></p>
<p>It even  has gorgeous gathering fabric at the neckline.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="20590" data-permalink="https://janomelife.wordpress.com/2018/11/30/why-do-you-sew-2/e6d1619f-b2ff-4e40-bb83-0bfb415f6a41/" data-orig-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/e6d1619f-b2ff-4e40-bb83-0bfb415f6a41-e1562421494150.jpeg" data-orig-size="225,300" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 8&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1543437655&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;3.99&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;64&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.066666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="E6D1619F-B2FF-4E40-BB83-0BFB415F6A41" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/e6d1619f-b2ff-4e40-bb83-0bfb415f6a41-e1562421494150.jpeg?w=225" data-large-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/e6d1619f-b2ff-4e40-bb83-0bfb415f6a41-e1562421494150.jpeg?w=225" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20590" src="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/e6d1619f-b2ff-4e40-bb83-0bfb415f6a41.jpeg?w=3024&#038;h=4032" alt="E6D1619F-B2FF-4E40-BB83-0BFB415F6A41" width="3024" height="4032" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align:center;">Why do you sew?</h3>
<h3 style="text-align:center;">Do you have a favourite pattern?</h3>
<h3 style="text-align:center;">And what about your favourite go-to sewing machine foot?</h3>
<h3 style="text-align:center;">And finally, who&#8217;s started their Christmas sewing?</h3>
<p><a href="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/janome-artisan.jpg"><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="18411" data-permalink="https://janomelife.wordpress.com/2018/03/09/top-5-favourite-features-of-the-janome-horizon-memory-craft-9400-qcp/janome-artisan/" data-orig-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/janome-artisan.jpg" data-orig-size="1276,976" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Janome artisan" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/janome-artisan.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/janome-artisan.jpg?w=1024" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-18411" src="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/janome-artisan.jpg?w=640&#038;h=490" alt="" width="640" height="490" srcset="https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/janome-artisan.jpg?w=640&amp;h=490 640w, https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/janome-artisan.jpg?w=150&amp;h=115 150w, https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/janome-artisan.jpg?w=300&amp;h=229 300w, https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/janome-artisan.jpg?w=768&amp;h=587 768w, https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/janome-artisan.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=783 1024w, https://janomelife.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/janome-artisan.jpg 1276w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a></p>
<p><em>Editor:</em> Trina is one of our regular artisan bloggers on janomelife. I&#8217;m sure you enjoyed this post as much as all her others &#8211; over the years &#8211; on janomelife? Perhaps you&#8217;d like to do a search for these if you missed them&#8230;&#8230;you will have a reading and sewing treat in store for you if you do!</p>
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