Moments Of Outdoors posted: " It's not very often, once becoming an adult, that you will set out to learn a new skill. We feel that once we reach adulthood we have done all of our skill based learning. We become very set in our ways and comfortable with living our lives our own way. " Moments Of Outdoors
It's not very often, once becoming an adult, that you will set out to learn a new skill. We feel that once we reach adulthood we have done all of our skill based learning. We become very set in our ways and comfortable with living our lives our own way. We feel as if we have reached our limit on learning. I don't think this is true. As adults we find it very difficult to get out of our comfort zones and even to try a new coffee or go down a different road we will struggle with.
I'm always wanting to learn something new. I want to understand how something works. I want to be able to expand my own knowledge and not stay stagnant. There's so much out there in the world that we can advance ourselves with. I feel like our learning has never finished. As I'm a firm believer in this I have challenged myself to learn a new skill. This time I wanted to learn something that wasn't based on physical capability. I wanted to learn a skill. I wanted to learn something that would mean I get better with practice. I also wanted to learn something that was practical. I don't see the point in learning something like origami if it holds no advantage in life for me. After much deliberation on what this skill should be, I decided.
After some mindless scrolling through social media, I kept on seeing things for my van that I thought would be amazing. The only downside of these things was the cost of them was nearly £100. After some scoffing at the potential cost of a few storage items ( That did look bad ass) I thought that I could make something like this myself. It was decided. I needed to learn how to sew. That way I could make these storage accessories. Then I thought I could also make myself a fleecy jumper, instead of paying through the nose for a high brand basic design. Suddenly my world started to open up at the possibility of what a new skill could afford me.
The downside to my plan, which I overlooked, was my lack of sewing machine and also any knowledge of how to use the sewing machine I didn't have. A few texts and a trip to my mum's and I was the owner of a sewing machine. Granted it was as old as me but I had somewhere to start. I was given a quick show on how to thread it and I was off. I had no idea what to make! My partner made a few cushions on it and I watched as she talked me through the process - This is the best way for me to learn. With my enthusiasm, I bought a new computerised machine that was able to perform a variety of stitches. I also bought some material from a charity to begin with. Now I just needed to make something.
The first thing I did was to get a piece of material and sew every stitch available so that I knew how it looked and also how it functioned. I had a sample stitch piece. I then made a little tote bag with a liner. I followed an online manual on how to make it and was surprised at the outcome. I had a little tote bag with rounded corners and a liner. I was so impressed I showed some of the ladies at work who I had been discussing my idea with. They all made the right noises and my appetite to make more items grew. I kept watching little videos and reading up on how to make things. I also started to buy more material from charity shops. I did sew a mosquito curtain for the van out of an old voile prior to going away to the Lake district. I incorporated some magnets into the material so it could be attached to the van. It was only when I bought some material with cartoon dinosaurs on did I get inspired to make something new. I decided to make some drawstring bags for a few of my friends' children.
I set to work and followed another online guide. This time I had to take into account the pattern on the material and make sure that I didn't lose a dinosaur head when I'd folded the material for a seam. During this making process I also decided to make the drawstring bag into a rucksack. I had enough material to sew them into straps and attach them to the bag. I thoroughly enjoyed the process of seeing the bag develop and I also got enjoyment from thinking of how the bag will be used. 3 hours later and I was finished and chuffed with what I made from a piece of material and some thread.
3 Things I have made recently. 2 x Dino bags and 1 x Garden bench
The next day I made another dino bag, but this time it was going to be bigger as the child I had in mind was older. I went through the same process and having learnt from the first bag I was able to improve on my first build. It took me about 2 hours to make the second bag and I didn't have to refer to any instructions. I did have to nip to a local haberdashery to get some string to finish it off. When I showed them the bag for size reference they were very complimentary of the bag. I was thrilled. Proof that what I had made looked acceptable.
I'm still yet to make some major items for the van but I'm enjoying learning a new skill and being creative with what I can make. I'm not afraid that my items don't look perfect. To me they look personalised. I'm not mass producing items for sale, I'm making them with affection.
I'd love to hear if anyone has any recommendations on what to make next or even if they have recommendations on where to search for ideas or who to follow on social media.
If you do want to see what else I have been getting up to then follow me on social media.
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