Hi, I’m Sabra. I pronounce is “SAY-bra”, but answer to, and rarely correct anything close. Sew a Straight Line, though am much more active on Instagram.
I started my blog more than eight years ago as a way to document my New Year’s goal to learn to sew. Over the years, I have developed my sewing from an interest and hobby to a talent and skillset that I find invaluable. Even more important to me are the friendships I have forged through this online sewing community. I count many of the people I have met through blogging and social media as some of my greatest friends. My 2010 New Year’s resolution has grown and evolved into a defining part of my life, and I can’t imagine where I would be, or what I would be doing (or spending my money on) without the sewing world I have become a part of. I have four kids: three boys ages 15, 12, and 9, and one six year old daughter. One of my main motivations in wanting to learn to sew back in 2010 was my children. I wanted to make my three boys (all I had at the time) unique, cool things to wear. In eight years, I have sewn literally hundreds of items for kids and myself (and a little bit for my husband). For almost two years at one point, the kids and I went with purchasing only shoes, socks, and underwear new. Everything else was made by me. As my kids have gotten older, I haven’t sewn for them as much as I used to, focusing more on sewing for myself. But I still find my creativity at its peak when I am working with a more masculine style. I’m very excited for this opportunity of Project Run and Play to jump back into designing and sewing for my boys, with a bit for my daughter thrown in, too.
When I’m not sewing, I love to be outside. My husband of nearly 18 years and myself try to get out and hike and explore as often as we can. We sometimes drag the kids along, but it’s been fun, as the kids have gotten older, to go out with just the two of us and remember why we liked each back when we were young, kid-free, and well-rested. I also teach art part-time at the local elementary school. I told the students on my first day that I sew most of my clothing, and all year at least a couple ask each day if I made my outfit. I almost always have at least one thing on I’ve sewn. And knowing they will ask has motivated me to sew even more for myself, because it’s just fun to be able to say “Yep, I made this!” I hope it helps to motivate them to explore their own creative pursuits a bit more.
There is a special magic in making something and putting out into the world. I once wrote this regarding how I feel about sewing: “Sewing, and other creative arts, has such permanence. There are so many things that I do for my family every day that just don’t last. Dishes get put back in the sink dirty, laundry gets soiled and thrown back in the hamper, toys get dragged from their bins, and bums have to be wiped over and over and over. When I make something for my family and friends, it lasts. It’s a tangible piece of my love and appreciation for them in my life. It’s cheesy, but I love that about sewing for others.” I no longer have any little bums to wipe, but the sentiment holds true. Maybe even more so with older kids. It means so much more when your child chooses to wear something you made, when they come home and tell you that their friends want to put in an order for a shirt just like theirs, and when they don’t think twice about placing their own requests for a custom made cosplay costume.
I feel like Project Run and Play celebrates that magic of sewing for kids and I am so excited to be a part of it this season. I’m excited to compete with people I’ve admired and been inspired by for years, and to meet and forge friendships with those new to me. And I’m incredibly excited to focus more on my sewing roots, sewing for the kids I love.
