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Geranium, or how I started sewing again.

July 5, 2018 by Aimee Sher

About a year ago, I learned to sew again. When I was in high school I dipped into sewing and begged my mom to teach me how to use a machine. She taught me the basics—threading, winding bobbins, and sewing in a straight line. I made a few garments, and a few quilted coasters and things. Mom discouraged me from doing anything else though, because I was supposed to be studying to get into college (spoiler: I didn’t get into any decent state schools, and ended up going to community college for a transfer—I still have a UCLA degree though so who cares how I got there?). I dropped this hobby for a solid 15 years.

The first Geraniums I ever made. One in 9M for K, and one in newborn for a friend.

It’s really hard to talk about the period in my life just before I started sewing. We had moved out of a really terrible environment–mold, constantly broken plumbing, and mosquitos that Roy, my husband, is horrifically allergic to. We were struggling to make rent but I knew we needed to get out.

When we moved into our current 2 bedroom, part of a triplex we are renting, the new space and the clean environment was super inspiring. A friend at church had a young child then with the most adorable dress. I was always looking for simple, natural fiber dresses in classic styles that are comfortable for my then-8 month old baby. I asked my church friend about this perfect dress and she told me, much to my surprise, that she made it! From a pattern. That you can buy on the Internet.

And down the rabbit hole I went. On a borrowed machine I learned again how to sew. Since then I’ve made all sorts of things, but it all goes back to this very first linen Geranium dress by Made by Rae that I made from Jo-Ann linen and seersucker. I fell in love with this pattern early on, and especially loved how with children’s patterns like this, you can get endless variations for a low price and each dress takes about a yard, maybe less. And since then I’ve also made a whole parade of Geraniums, seen below.

These two 12M sized Geraniums made from fabric from Miss Matatabi became some of our favorite Geraniums for different reasons. The sushi one was kind of a plain, stiff cotton but it was so cute and got a million compliments. I’ve made several since for others who have requested it. It remains one of my favorite makes of all time.

The Nani Iro kind of speaks for itself. The beautiful little mustard Pocho on the dreamy, dreamy double gauze cotton was a dream to work with and wear and it instantly lodged itself in my top 3 favorite textile bases of all time and has stayed there since.

Roy picked out this quilting cotton for a size 18M Geranium. I think after I made the sushi dress, he specifically asked for a meat one, and we did a Google search and found this one from I think Dear Stella. I actually made a matching dress and a button down shirt for K’s cousins in another state and they all wore it together in October when we travelled together. This was also the first I made with the Peter Pan collar from the expansion pack.

An upcycled Geranium from a men’s shirt.

Christmas/fall Geranium from Robert Kaufman flannel (affiliate link to Amazon) which is perfect for a winter version.. I have matching PJ’s which are still in my WIP basket (oops), but she outgrew this in a minute, which I’m pretty bummed about. I learned the hard way that it’s better to make things too big than too small!

I’ll write more about this, but since that first Geranium, I realized that working with my hands and with tactile materials in crafting was hugely therapeutic on my way to recovery from PTSD, post partum anxiety, and just.. generalized anxiety. Fiber crafting has become a huge part of my recovery and daily self care, and I can’t wait to share more of the things I made with you.

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Betty Dress, or lessons I’ve learned about fit and seam stability.

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aimeeshermakes

Sewing, knitting, baking mom of two. She/they
🌈 and Taiwanese American
📍Los Angeles
🎹 teacher by trade

Coming soon: Wisteria Bloom socks, my second desig Coming soon: Wisteria Bloom socks, my second design ever featuring some super special yarn I purchased by @biglittleyarnco... test call coming in a few weeks. 🥰 #wisteriabloomsocks

ID: a purple sock with a pink and peach speckled cream lace panel lays over a wood surface. 

#aimeeshermakes #sockdesigner #knittersofinstagram #asianknittersofinstagram #knittingpatterns #knittingdesign #knittingdesigners #handknitsocks #sockknittersofinstagram #operationsockdrawer
My first pattern. #ItsBobaTimeSocks... Currently t My first pattern. #ItsBobaTimeSocks... Currently testing and coming in May... (aka today’s excuse to drink boba). What flavor do you think you’d knit??? 🧋🧋🧋🧋🧋🧡🧡🧡🧡

#626yarns #boba #thaiicedtea #sockdesign #knittingdesigner #knittingdesign #testknitting #operationsockdrawer #knittingpattern #sockknittersofinstagram #asianknittersofinstagram #bobaeveryday #aimeeshermakes #thoughtfullymadefiberpodcast #knittersofinstagram
Welcome all to the 6th week of the #KnitDiverseKAL Welcome all to the 6th week of the #KnitDiverseKAL! Your participation has been such a joy so far and I’ve so enjoyed what you are all coming up with. And, I have discovered new makers along the way! I hope you’re all enjoying the KAL and these prizes as much as I am. 

This week, there will be two winners. 

Prize 1 is an @unlikelyfoxfibers sock skein donated generously by @disewbedient! The colors are super vibrant and beautiful.

Prize 2 is 160 yards/65g of a sports to DK thick and thin yarn spun by me from an art batt created by @sunnysideupcrafts. This would be lovely as a garment accent or in colorwork with a dark contrast or on its own in a small project. 🥰🥰 I spun it over Christmas holidays and I have been hoarding it since. I decided to put it up as a prize since Sunny’s work is so inspiring and fits into the KAL. 

To enter: Use the #KnitDiverseKAL hashtag on a grid post before Sunday, April 18 at 5 pm Pacific Standard Time. Qualifying posts must demonstrate progress made on a project that is featuring a yarn or pattern from a designer of color or an LGBTQIA+ designer. WIPs are welcome, and completion is not required. 

General KAL guidelines:

- do NOT out anyone in an identity they’ve not revealed to the world publicly. safety first!

- KAL runs through April 30th

- anyone who participates in abusive or harmful behavior in comments or in the hashtag (which I will be monitoring) towards the very communities we are trying to celebrate will be disqualified.

ID in alt text.

#diversknitty #asianknittersofinstagram #queerknitters #blackdyersofinstagram #spinnersofinstagram #sunnysideupcrafts
My week in summary. 🥰 There were some projects My week in summary. 🥰 There were some projects made for others’ businesses and a handspun just for my own pleasure and then my very first design. My heart is full with making. 

Sock pattern in testing now and coming soon. #itsbobatimesocks in collaboration with @626yarns 

ID: a pile of hand knit finished objects and WIPs. The colors are green and white and dark brown and the colors of Thai iced tea. All are set on a background of couch cushions. 

#sockdesign #testknit #knittingdesign #aimeeshermakes #spinnersofinstagram #handspunyarn #spin15aday #operationsockdrawer #asianknittersofinstagram #knittersgonnaknit #626yarns #knittingdesigner #morrofleeceworks
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  • Betty Dress, or lessons I’ve learned about fit and seam stability.
  • Geranium, or how I started sewing again.

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