sewing skills for the christian homemaker

Sewing skills for the Christian homemaker can be a fun pastime and a joyful art when attempting to create modest clothing for the family.

Although it seems as though this skill has become outdated or of less interest to the average mother, wife, and homemaker these days, it is still a useful tool and talent to have in one's arsenal when it comes to providing proper and modest attire for your family.

Many years ago this skill was highly important for women, young and old, to learn and apply to their households. Of course, fashions were different back then, the notions and yardage of material was vast as well, but remained a useful skill and talent nevertheless.

My own mother taught me, my sisters (and my brother) how to sew and it has been so helpful in making skirts, dresses, shirts, blouses, pants, bedding, and so on, that I continue to use this skill today. When I was a young mother I made many of my daughter's clothing. She also learned the skill and has created a few things for herself along the way. She realized she could create a beautiful wardrobe for herself all by herself! You can do the same.

In addition to learning how to make your own clothes, it can be a joy to learn other homemaking skills as well, whether it be that of cooking, cleaning, organizing your home, decorating, entertaining, gardening, storing and preparing food, hospitality, frugality, being a good steward with your resources, budgeting and finance, etc. These skills are highly valuable when building and managing your Christian home. 


reasons for learning valuable sewing skills

Consider just how valuable it can be for you to learn these skills as you prepare and manage a proper wardrobe for you and your family.

Some regard it as just a fun hobby or a good thing to know if you pop off a button from a shirt, or need to hem a dress, or any other kind of small alteration that needs to be done on an outfit. Yes, these indeed are all good things to know, but let's take a look at how much more valuable and useful it is to learn how to make your own clothes:

  • You can create your own look, your own fashion, and what works for you. I have always found this to be a fantastic reason in which to learn this skill. I personally never wanted to wear the same types of clothes and fashions as every other girl/woman walking down the street. You too can be unique in your own look and style in what you wear by learning how to make and create your own line of fashion!
  • You can create an inexpensive wardrobe for yourself and your family. As you shop diligently for fabric, patterns, notions, etc., you can find many cheap items that will give you a nicely-made, but inexpensive outfit. You may have to search for good bargains, but they are out there. Many times I have gone from shop to shop in search of discounted items as I gather up various unique patterns, fabric, or notions to create the perfect outfit. Depending on your area and prices, you may be able to get some great finds.
  • You can teach your children how to make and create their own clothing. For instance, if your daughter wants a new dress; instead of going out to buy an expensive one, she can either use whatever is at home or go out and gather inexpensive fabric, patterns, or notions to create her own without much fuss and worry. I did this with my own daughter as well, and she quickly realized that she could put this great skill she was taught by me and her grandmother to good use by designing her own unique wardrobe. She was quite pleased with herself by her own creative accomplishments.
  • You can turn your sewing skill and hobby into a workable job or career. Many women have created fun and wonderful jobs/careers with their skills as a professional seamstress. For example, when my daughter was in college and moved to New York, she realized there was a great need for this kind of service there. Many working mothers do not have the time nor the energy to sew or do alterations on their families' clothing. Also there is a huge market there for doing bridal alterations, prom dresses, etc. So she created work for herself by offering this service as a way of earning money for college as well. There are many fashion companies and agencies in the world who are looking for well-talented and skilled individuals to join their team in creating unique and sought-after attire. In addition, there are other kinds of sewing and hand-making of various arts and crafts, such as in quilting, basket weaving, creating and designing shoes, handbags, embroidery, needlepoint, knitting, crocheting, and other artisan fashion and dressmaking. You can practically create your own job and career from many of these sewing gems! Furthermore,
  • You can add to, subtract, or otherwise alter any pattern or outfit to suit your own modest lifestyle. I feel this is an important skill to know when it comes to creating a modest look for yourself or your family. Many fashions today are not at all suitable to a Christian's way of life. You will find the styles of dress are quite sensual and provocative these days and should not be worn by Christians. You will find this is true in children's, women's, and men's fashions across the board.

women of the bible who were into sewing

Of course, in Bible times there were no clothing stores or fashion shows to introduce to the people there, so all the women had to learn to make and create their own apparel, for themselves and for all the rest of the members of their family. However, there are a few individuals in the Bible who made a mark and name for themselves from their skills, talents, and offerings of their handmade creations. Some did well, others did not fair well at all. Here are just a few of them:

  • Right from the beginning, after Adam and Eve sinned against God, they both apparently used their meager sewing skills to provide some sort of covering for their naked bodies. Genesis 3:7 tells us, "And they eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons." Then later on, as reported in Genesis 3:21, "Unto Adam, also unto his wife did the Lord God make coats of skin, and clothed them."
  • From the writings of Kathryn Capoccia, "Women of the Bible" Dorcas, A woman of a giving heart", we see that this humble woman, named Tabitha (translated from Hebrew as Dorcas), a kind-hearted woman and disciple of Jesus, who lived in Joppa; was one who was always doing good and kind things for others."  Jesus used this lady to bring others to Him and to the gospel through her deeds and good works, including her sewing skills. Here is the account taken from Acts 9:36-42. "Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in the upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, 'Tabitha, arise'. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord." What an account! Dorcas used her sewing skills and talent as a way of blessing others while obeying God, and ultimately to help bring others to Christ!  
  • There was a strong rebuke proclaimed in the land to certain of the women through Ezekiel 13:17-18, saying, "Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them, and say, 'thus saith the Lord God; 'Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of My people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?" These were thought to be that of magic wrist bands and head veils, which were evil before God.
  • Peter acknowledged the fact that there were certain women of his day who perhaps sewed/ wore clothing or outfitted themselves in fine apparel and beautiful accessories purely to show their beauty and loveliness to the world, which is idolatry in God's eyes. He addresses this issue in 1 Peter 3:3-4, where he warns them in saying, "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." And finally, there is the...
  • Proverbs 31 woman. She is that woman we all aspire to be like, and to emulate; the virtuous woman whose price is far above rubies! (Prov. 31:10) From these famous verses, we see how this humble woman's sewing and crafty skills/talents are written down as instructions for us in demonstrating how we as Christian women and daughters of the King are to clothe and provide these gifts to our own families and households. Consider each of these verses as you contemplate how to apply sewing and dressmaking skills to your life. The following are taken from Proverbs 31: 13,19,21,22,24,25,27, and 31: "She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles into the merchant. Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Give her the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."

Finally, perhaps you now see how valuable of a skill and talent sewing can be for you and your family. Learning this skill can help your family so much and it is always a good one to know whenever you are in a pinch and need to quickly come up with a particular piece of clothing for a special event, or if an outfit is ruined or in need of repair. 

If you or your kids do not already know how to sew, find someone who is willing to teach you or them. This does not have to be a lost art, but one that is regained and used to create a great wardrobe, and to possibly apply as a way of earning money as well. You will never know where this beautiful skill may take you unless you apply it. Get sewing!


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Modesty In Dress Speaks Volumes For The Christian Believer

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