Those Were Feel-good Moments!

My earliest childhood memories include the sounds of sewing: the pedals pedaling as my mother sat at the machine and the fabrics sliding through her hands. I was there when she was working in the sewing room and was allowed to help out according to my interests.

We were seven children and grew up with sewing — both as a professional craft and as a means of creative expression, learning, and experimentation.

My mother was a home economics teacher and also taught textiles, among other subjects. We had a large store of different materials at home and were allowed to try out almost everything. Our mother let us have our way, was there to answer our questions, and fortunately had a great sense of humour.

Sewing soon gave me a sense of security in life and confidence in my ability to act.

It wasn't until much later that I realised how valuable these early experiences were.

My first larger project was a patchwork beanbag. Sewing clothes didn’t appeal as much to me. I felt more free to create something that didn't have to fit a body. Textiles became my material, which I used to make blankets, wall hangings, and a variety of products.

When it rained, I could choose a fabric from our large selection and get started.

Those were feel-good moments! Developing an idea, being inspired by the wide range of materials, immersing myself in the creative process of realizing the project step by step — I am still fascinated and always inspired anew.

Doing crafts alongside other aspects of life is good for you.

You experience immediate satisfaction, can be proud time and again, and it helps build self-confidence.

That’s why the Social Fabric programme is so wonderful. It’s not just about sewing and creating something meaningful and useful; people also come together to sew and do things collaboratively. It also brings back memories of my childhood home, which was an open house that gave us children many opportunities for textile crafts and creativity.

Community member Susanna in conversation with Barbara Imobersteg; part of the "Conversations about Sewing" series.