Library of Things: Sewing Machine

I learned how to sew when I was younger and this has fostered a life-long love of creating and crafting. A sewing machine offers a range of possibilities for people of any age and they can benefit from using this machine. The Aurora Public Library offers a Singer Heavy Duty Sewing Machine as one of their pieces of equipment you can borrow from the Library of Things. With the sewing machine you can learn a new hobby (with the large collection of sewing books we loan out), learn how to fix clothes and toys, and let your creativity grow by learning how to use a new medium.

Sewing as a Hobby

Having a hobby is important and people can reap rewards from sewing as a hobby. Sewing as a hobby presents benefits as found by Naomi Clarke (2019), people who sew often experienced enjoyment from being about to create, learning a new skill and the challenges that come with it, making new social connections through the sewing community, and learning more about themselves (p. 133).  The participants also claimed to find a sense of calmness while sewing due to the low demand, repetitive movement, and the ability to have downtime was also an important part of sewing as a hobby (Clarke, 2019, p. 128). Patrons will be able to experience these benefits by borrowing the sewing machine and trying it out themselves.             

The hardest part of having a hobby is the initial first step but luckily for library users, we do offer books for patrons new to sewing. From beginners’ books to advanced sewing patterns we make sure this collection is accessible and can help you kick start a hobby. Along with knowledgeable stuff there is little risk to trying this out.

Fixing Clothes and Toys  

We all had it happen. The dreaded hole in your favorite tee-shirt or your kids favorite teddy bear needs to be fixed. Well, a sewing machine can also help with this. Along with the benefits of not having to spend money on new clothes or toys, this is a sustainable way to ensure that these items do not end up in a landfill when you are not done using them. Now you are able continue wearing these clothes and be the hero to your child’s stuffed animals.  This is also a life skill that you will be able to pass onto your family, even if it's as simple as repairing a hole or more complex as hemming some jeans.

Once you start a creative hobby, the ideas will just keep coming to you. You will be able to expand your creative side by borrowing this machine. Try out new patterns, make adjustments to the existing ones, and even try out some methods that you think will work. So why not take out the sewing machine and see where this creativity can lead you.

References

Clarke, N. (2019). Exploring the Role of Sewing as a Leisure Activity for Those Aged 40 Years and Under. Textile Cloth and Culture, 18(2), 118-144. https://doi.org/10.1080/14759756.2019.1613948