Please put your hands together, and push your reading glasses a little higher! It’s time to welcome our newest Seam Ripper Champion – Jolene Noyes! Jolene’s a unique fabric artist who’s already shared some of her amazing ideas with Princess YellowBelly Designs. Now she’s kindly shared a horror story that many of us can empathize with – a story of how we were all almost terrified away from the sewing machine, forever…
In fact, Jolene’s story is so significant in the creation of our Seam Ripper Championships, that I (Karyl Fitzgerald) have added my own similar story to the end of this tale of woeful seam ripping. But now, without any further ado, let’s hear from Jolene!
The Dangers of Sewing in a Home Economics Class
“My story goes back to junior high, another time, another country, and a home economics class which I never have and never will forget.
Home economics was a combination of cooking, sewing, and homemade-type crafts. I did just fine and still do with the cooking, but it was the sewing that got to me. We were required to make a skirt and vest combo. Vest, very simple. Skirt, elastic waist, very simple.
NOT.
I don’t remember the actual sewing of the pieces, but I do remember the day we tried them on.
My vest was lopsided. One side was up by my breasts (although I didn’t have any at the time), while the other side was down by my waist. My skirt was ok except for the huge, huge elastic waistline. I was devastated, I cried, I was embarrassed and thought for sure that all the other girls in my class were laughing at me. I am sure that I went home in tears. But, at least I had got it done!
Well, I am sorry to say that was pretty much my last sewing adventure.
Although I did have a couple of other chances to sew, I did not enjoy it and was again, no good at it. Perhaps, that is the curse of having something go, so wrong, when you are so young. If I were to do it now, or had my grandkids doing something like this, I would make sure to sew again, right away and rid myself of any bad feelings about sewing.
Jolene Noyes is a terrific artist & fun storyteller. Whether she’s sharing tips on how to turn plastic trash into hip purses, or waxing eloquent on the trials of home ec classes – she’s got something to tell you.
A resident of the beautiful state of Colorado, a traveler, and a fun person – she’s definitely earned the title of “Seam Ripper Champion!”
The Big Lesson – Get Back on the Sewing Machine Horse
And, that is my lesson in all of this…if you make a mistake, go back and correct it and don’t be afraid of your lack of skills. Sew anyways. I look at this now, and laugh, but I am still sorry that I did not become a better seamstress but I do have other things now that I am talented with so it is alright!”
By the way, Jolene really did become quite the artist on her own. This is one example of her vibrant, creative personality bursting out – but you can find out all about that over here, in another story.
But, for now, I’d like to jump in and say that Jolene’s experience is, by no means extraordinary. In fact, something very similar happened to me:
Which is Why Princess YellowBelly Almost Wasn’t
Reading Jolene’s experience with her Home Economics sewing experience, took me straight back to 7th grade. In my home ec class I had a sewing teacher who was so incredibly picky that she gave me a D-, all because the checks on the backside of the hem on my gingham apron didn’t match the checks on the apron itself.
She made me rip it out 4 times before I finally gave up.
Next came the potholder assignment. Which I also was failing at horribly.
What was even worse, was that my Mom, who was a vastly experienced seamstress, took pity on me and helped me put the binding around my potholder, and for the job she did on that I received an F.
Even after all these decades I can see that teacher clear as day in my mind and hear that nasally-whiny lecturing voice.
I was so mad at that teacher and loathed her so much, that the loathing transferred straight into the idea of sewing, at all, ever.
So, I was quite amazed at myself when, at 17, I decided to take another home ec class.
Karyl Fitzgerald is the head seamstress for Princess YellowBelly Designs. She also comes up with most of our original designs and quilts, and writes a great deal of the helpful content we feature here.
She also has been a Seam Ripper Champion herself. First in 2018, and then again as the second quarter Master of Disaster in 2019. Like Jolene, she’s a late-term survivor of an early home ec disaster class…
Different school, different teacher. This time, I made a skirt for my little sister. And not until I had it all put together with no extra fabric left over, did I realize that 2 of the panels were upside down – little angels scampering across the landscape on their heads.
This teacher didn’t ding me for that, but she did laugh at me.
I later became a school teacher, by the way, and I know that the worst way to deal with a bad learning experience is by laughing at your struggling student.
Why You Should Try the Horse Again
Those 2 experiences soured me so much on sewing that I didn’t try it again for another 17 years till Suzanna was born and my creative gene started kicking at my brain. Lo and behold, I could follow a pattern and put together nice things for my kids!
With these successes under my belt, I gradually got bolder and made them each a baby quilt and then toddler quilts and the more creative I was, the better we all like it.
So step by step I moved into fabric art.
It took quite a few years, but now I am practically fearless when it comes to letting my imagination run wild, making up my own patterns, and experimenting with different and new techniques.
I’m still deeply anti-matching-corners, however.
So I would encourage you, dear reader, if you like sewing but don’t like all the rules and picky stuff that comes with sewing clothes or “accepted” quilting patterns, pursue the road less taken. Try different things, explore, imagine. Try getting into fabric art, or doll making, or even crocheting and knitting – which is something Jolene turned to – or anything else that strikes your fancy – just don’t stop sewing!
Princess YellowBelly Designs has enjoyed sharing these stories with you – but, as always, in another three months we’ll have another story up to demonstrate how real artists have struggles with fabric art of every breed and variety. If you have a great story for us, you can check out the guidelines and then send us an email at karyl@pybdesigns.com.
Thanks! We’ll see you next week with a new how-to article, and other great content. To the greater good of your quiltivity,
Princess YellowBelly Designs