![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Why does "I do not like the way these store bought clothes fit on my body" get responded to with "Learn to sew"???
As though "learning to sew" is available for everyone. As though everyone has the funds available to buy the materials to get started. As though everyone has the funds and time to take a class. As though everyone has the time to learn via youtube. As though basic sewing classes are available in all areas. As though basic sewing classes are available at convenient times. As though folks who do not conform to the gender binary are welcome in all sewing classes.
Pretending that barrier to entry doesn't exist turns people away more firmly than simply acknowledging that it is there. Maybe, with careful planning, or coordinating with others, new skills can be acquired. But being told at the first sign of interest that 'anyone' can do it when that is patently false leaves a lot of folks unwilling to come back when/if their circumstances change.
Fuck, m'dudes, I got the hairy eyeball walking into a sewing machine repair shop just last Saturday. Because I was wearing my binder under a button down, which was tucked into my jeans. Basically, I looked 'like a dyke' and while I was not, precisely, chastised for it, I certainly got the impression that I was not welcomed by that person. (The person I actually spoke to was helpful and informative, if a touch out of my budget until after rent is safely paid.)
I am fortunate enough to have been handed down a sewing machine, so I do not have to look for a new one. I do need to see what sort of love it needs before it will be up for actual work, but I can make that work with my budget. I am not married, I have no children, so my time is my own. I can teach myself to knit, and I did. I can teach myself to quilt, and I am. I am fortunate enough to have a bit of flex in my budget for fun things like fabric and thread and yarn and rpg books.
I don't have a pithy conclusion here. Sorry, folks. I'm sure I'll have project pics soon.
As though "learning to sew" is available for everyone. As though everyone has the funds available to buy the materials to get started. As though everyone has the funds and time to take a class. As though everyone has the time to learn via youtube. As though basic sewing classes are available in all areas. As though basic sewing classes are available at convenient times. As though folks who do not conform to the gender binary are welcome in all sewing classes.
Pretending that barrier to entry doesn't exist turns people away more firmly than simply acknowledging that it is there. Maybe, with careful planning, or coordinating with others, new skills can be acquired. But being told at the first sign of interest that 'anyone' can do it when that is patently false leaves a lot of folks unwilling to come back when/if their circumstances change.
Fuck, m'dudes, I got the hairy eyeball walking into a sewing machine repair shop just last Saturday. Because I was wearing my binder under a button down, which was tucked into my jeans. Basically, I looked 'like a dyke' and while I was not, precisely, chastised for it, I certainly got the impression that I was not welcomed by that person. (The person I actually spoke to was helpful and informative, if a touch out of my budget until after rent is safely paid.)
I am fortunate enough to have been handed down a sewing machine, so I do not have to look for a new one. I do need to see what sort of love it needs before it will be up for actual work, but I can make that work with my budget. I am not married, I have no children, so my time is my own. I can teach myself to knit, and I did. I can teach myself to quilt, and I am. I am fortunate enough to have a bit of flex in my budget for fun things like fabric and thread and yarn and rpg books.
I don't have a pithy conclusion here. Sorry, folks. I'm sure I'll have project pics soon.
