Recently, I was invited to a really great event called Common Threads at the Baby Lock Sewing Headquarters! I met some amazingly talented people and felt completely comfortable with everyone from day one! You guys, being with other makers, bloggers, and sewists made a huge impression on me that really had me pondering for a good week after I got home. I came to a couple of realizations I want to share with you called “All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Common Threads.”
#1. Find a Tribe.
Do you have a group of sewing, quilting, crafting friends? If you do, I bet I can describe them perfectly. You get together as often as you can and in their presence your creative juices start flowing. You bounce ideas off one another, they give you their honest opinion, and you aren’t afraid to be yourself. They are so supremely talented that you feel blessed just to breathe the same air as them; however, no one makes you feel like you don’t belong. You love being with them. They are your tribe!
#2. Try new things…even if it scares you.
What is something you have always wanted to try, but seriously doubt it will ever happen? For me, in the world of sewing, it’s embroidery! I have been to fabric stores where they sell the big embroidery machines and watched those thing work magic, but never thought of taking the plunge into that part of the sewing world. Then I found my Destiny…well, she was mine while I used her at Common Threads. Destiny is an amazing Baby Lock Machine, but that was not my first impression of her. You guys, this machine looked so intimidating as I sat in front of it wondering if I had to memorize a manual in order to operate it. I was sure I would fail miserably at embroidering and make a nice sized fool of myself in the process. Then Destiny worked her magic and together we made a pretty awesome purse with a lovely lady (who would totally fit into my tribe) embroidered on it. 
#3. Expect the Unexpected
Do you see that scientific fabric we used with our embroidered lady? That’s the fabric I designed for Riley Blake Designs. I had absolutely know idea it was going to be used for this project. Imagine my complete and under surprise when I walked in the classroom in the morning and saw it on every table. My heart was so happy! I think we get these little serendipitous unexpected moments in life to help us know we are not alone. We all have moments of joy like this, right?
#4. Give back!
Have you ever wondered how you can use your creative talents to give back to the world? I discovered one very simple way sewists can be of help to little girls in Africa: make pillowcase dresses. They don’t have to be difficult or crazy decorative. These little girls literally have nothing and a simple pillowcase dress send a message of love and hope. You can find all the information at Little Dresses for Africa.
Do you know of other ways creative makers can give back to the community? I would love to hear about them! Please leave a comment and spread the word!
#5. Don’t take yourself so serious. LAUGH often!
I think with all the gloom and doom that sometimes surrounds us in the world, we forget that we don’t have to be so serious all the time…even though we are adults. Remember to laugh and be a little crazy. Why let children have all the fun.
Find your tribe, try new things, expect the unexpected, find a way to win, and don’t forget to laugh. I am pretty sure these little tidbits are all I really need to know about life…and I learned them (or was reminded of them) at Common Threads with a great company and fabulous tribe!
For more information about Baby Lock Common Threads 2016, join the after party for a chance to win this amazing swag!
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I am so glad to have read this page. I have 10 dresses I made for the girls and never sent them out because I couldn’t find an address. As you can tell I’m not too good using the computer. Now knowing where to send them i’ll be making more.
I also make cage warmers for cats and dogs for an animal shelter. I like to sew, doesn’t take too much time to make and I have to say one time I saw a picture of a cat on one of my cage warmers and I felt so good.