Blog

Jun 15, 2023

Sewing Saturdays in St. Clair Shores celebrate classic hand stitching

During the mid 1800s, women were busy in the summer months tending to the garden, then harvesting and canning. The winter was the time for sewing and mending. The idea of cozy, winter sewing sessions

During the mid 1800s, women were busy in the summer months tending to the garden, then harvesting and canning. The winter was the time for sewing and mending.

The idea of cozy, winter sewing sessions inspired Selinsky-Green Farmhouse Museum Curator Kim Parr to host “sewing Saturdays” on certain winter weekends. Needle crafters of all levels, ages and experience gather in the front room of the St. Clair Shores museum, which is an historic saltbox house built in 1868, to hone their whip stitches or learn to attach buttons using a second “backer” button.

“Some people are beginners who want to learn and some come even though they have a lot of experience with sewing and embroidery,” said Parr.

During the Feb. 24 session, members of the informal sewing circle worked on making a needle holder from colored pieces of felt. The project requires four different types of hand stitching – running stitch, back stitch, whip stitch and applique stitch – as well as attaching a button.

Instructor Sue Assenmacher is showing beginning sewer Lucia Buff how to secure the three layers of felt together for the needle holder when the thread knots and she has to remove what she has done and begin again.

“It’s not a project unless you have to start over at least once,” said Assenmacher with a smile.

Sue Ellison sits next to a beginning sewer carefully assembling a needle holder, answering questions and helping when needed. Ellison is working on an intricate, Victorian crazy quilt style jacket back that features french knots, lazy daisy stitching, feather stitches, and multiple pieces of patterned fabric.

“The hardest thing was working with this ribbon,” said Ellison, rubbing her finger across the ribbon that has been attached to the jacket with french knots to make a garden fence.

Beverly Wainio is an avid crafter who enjoys embroidery and sewing. She attends sewing Saturdays because she finds something special in sewing with others.

“I just like the social aspect of it,” said Wainio. “I like getting together with other women to sew; you get more done and it is fun!”

The Selinsky-Green Farmhouse Museum is open Wed. and Sat. 1-4 p.m. Upcoming events include wood stove waffle making March 11 and Pysanki egg decorating March 25 and April 1. For more information, contact the St. Clair Shores Public Library at 586-771-9020.

Sign up for email newsletters