I have to admit… even though I am a very happy and upbeat person, just like everyone else I struggle sometimes with too much on my plate and the stress that comes from it.
TOTAL over-load gets me down!
In those situations,
I turn to my sewing machine!
Sewing soft toys works like magic to snap me out of it!
I get totally focussed choosing and cutting up gorgeous fabrics, carefully pinning the pieces together with a gazillion pins so the pieces don’t slip as I sew, then making sure the seams meet up perfectly. Then I turn the toy right-sides-out and it looks so cute it makes me smile!!! 😀 I can’t wait to stuff it…
Then reality hits and I HAVE to stop because it’s got dark outside
and I need to eat dinner!
It sounds a bit dramatic but there have been times in my life when sewing has been a lifesaver for me.
Like when I moved to Australia.
Not only was I dealing with the challenges of living in a new country, I also had to go back and re-sit my qualifying exams all over again if I wanted to work as an Optometrist (even though I had 4 years of training and 10 years experience!) The thought of sitting exams all over again totally freaked me out. It was so long since I’d studied and every time I picked up a textbook my brain just ‘went to sleep.’ After a few months of trying really hard to study, lots of tears and some serious soul-searching, I eventually decided NOT to do the exams, which meant I would NEVER work as an optometrist again.
Leaving the career I worked for my whole life was a major decision for me and I had to work out a new career path!
I decided if I couldn’t work AS an optometrist, I would work IN an optometry shop instead and try and do something “crafty” that I really enjoyed on the side. That job wasn’t stressful… but I was bored out of my mind – which for me is actually also stressful!
It would drive me crazy, sitting there waiting till closing time, because no one came in most afternoons. S0 I kept my mind active (and myself awake!) by taking my patterns to work so that I could pass time in the afternoons. Once I’d finished my work for the day, I could cut out fabric pieces to sew together when I got home.
I had so much fun sewing soft toys for my friends, family members and co-workers!
But most importantly, sewing was a wonderful escape for me!
Sewing helped me through a very stressful time. Focusing on something creative that I really loved helped me to relax and stop worry that I was ‘wasting my life away’ in a mind-numbing job!
I could actually enjoy going my boring job knowing I’d be able to keep my sanity doing something really meaningful to ME.
What a difference it made! I was in a good place (mentally, if not physically!) which made everything WAY more tolerable and I was definitely more patient and compassionate towards others. I even made it my mission to make getting spectacles a stress-free, even exciting experience for every customer!!!
I felt energised instead of
totally drained!
I realized sewing soft-toys made me HAPPY and I could create that same feeling and experience for other people!
And that’s what I have been focusing on for almost 2 decades with the Funky Friends Factory, which has grown into something way bigger than I could ever have imagined and has touched so many lives besides mine…
It’s still quite mind-boggling for me! 🙂
This year I challenged myself to think about what I can do to make sewing soft toys even more FUN which has led me to my biggest project to date – The Sew Many Funky Friends Club – an online Club specifically for people who want to have FUN sewing soft toys!
The feedback I have had so far has convinced me that people are finding this is a wonderful group to hangout in and escape from the daily stress of our lives and bond over our shared passion for sewing plush toys! 😀
The Club will be opening again soon, for a short period of time, for the next intake of new Club Members. I will be having LOTS of fun sew-along activities to celebrate so you can come and check out the fun and be a part of our group of fun-loving softie-sewers!!!
Stay tuned by subscribing to the newsletter! If you are on my email newsletter list, you will receive all the announcements coming soon as well as ALL the fun sew-along activities!
Meanwhile, as we wait for the reopening, I want to hear from you! What have YOU been doing lately to de-stress that’s ‘JUST for YOU’ to keep you sane when things get crazy?
How long has it been since you focussed on doing something fun that you really enjoy – TOO LONG?
. .
Till next time…
Happy Sewing,
Pauline
xxx 
Thank you Pauline for sharing this. I have enjoyed sewing since I was a young girl in Arkansas. My grandmother was my inspiration! With her hand embroidered quilt square to crocheted dollies she played a big role in my love if sewing today. I have made my girls’ dresses , and even sewed an outfit for my son when he was a baby!!! I now keep myself busy with things for my grandchildren and students I work with in my work as a parapro in a multi needs classroom. I love teaching the older kids how to sew by hand and using a sewing machine!! Your patterns are wonderful and so cute!!! Thank you for all you do when you’re “de-stressing” and for sharing your talents with us!!! Dianna D
I’m very similar to you! Sewing destesses me! I could sew all day every day. I started off sewing when we moved as well. I was sewing scrub tops, kitchen items, pillow cases, etc. Then I discovered the teddy bear/memory bears. I was hooked and then branched out to other critters. As I was looking for different critters, I discovered your site and it opened up a whole new level for me! I have a business and do a lot of craft shows and have a lot of great response to my Funky Friends creations. Thank you so much for literally opening up a passion that I never knew was there!
Hi Pauline. I am a midwife in South Africa. I have always made toys since I can remember. I have huge inner child. I crochet and sew toys as a hobby. My motto being wool and material are much cheaper than a psychiatrist. Making beautiful toys and the joy they bring has been one of the happiest things in my life. Being part of FFF has helped me so much over the last few years of my life. Every time one of the animals are complete it is like birthing a little child. Putting something of myself into every one of them and then seeing the joy the bring to young and old alike. Thank you for creating the most beautiful babies for us to make. You touch lives every where. My sincere gratitude, please never stop designing them for us who dont have that particular talent. Lots of love from sunny SA
Hi Pauline, I was looking for a pattern (yet to be found ) and came across your FB page which led me here. I am so pleased to read your blog and why you started Funky Friends Factory. I have made Mitch but have no photos handy well I made two for our Grandsons. I must come back and keep up with your blog :). now to get back to pattern searching 🙂
Thanks, Janet!!! It’s lovely to hear that you enjoy what I’m doing! 🙂
Hi Pauline,
I read your blog and I instantly knew exactly what you were going through. I am also from SA and I am now in Canada looking after my granddaughter, Sarah. She is still only 18 months old, so I have to be hands on with her and can’t do much else just yet. I am a teacher in SA, and would love to continue working in the classroom here, but there are many regulations here, and I may also have to study further if I wish to go down that path later. Right now just enjoying sewing when I can. You have certainly touched many lives with FFF. You are an inspiration to many others. Lotsa luv Trudine
Thanks, Trudine! I’ve worked so hard over so many years – it’s lovely to know that others appreciate this funny thing I do! All the best with your new endeavours! 😀
Thank-you so much for your interesting story. I’ve been ADDICTED to sewing dolls and stuffed animals for decades. I’m told it’s a strange addiction, but I’m so glad to hear I’m not the only one. I admire your ability to design the animals; That’s the really hard part. Making them up is the really FUN part.
Hey Nancy! Thanks for your fun comments – I’m glad to see I’m not the only one with a weird addiction to sew soft toys! 😀
xxx
Love your patterns! Will definitely joining the sew along.
Hi, I can really relate to your stress, I too love sewing and can easily spend the whole day just sewing and creating. When I’m stressed I sew !!!!
To me , I am my happiest when I’m sewing, to a non sewer this might sound weird, but I love it. I
actually have been accused a becoming a hermit and a slave to my sewing machine. 😄I now work in a fabric shop and teach adults and kids to sew. (My dream job) and I get to work with amazing bosses.
Ps I bought a new sewing machine this year after 35 years using the old one.
Good luck to you and may you just follow your dreams xxx
Thanks for your lovely comment Carmel… you do have a dream job! 😀
xxx
Hi Pauline, So glad you find inspiration from these lovely soft toys you make. It is so relaxing and especially helps me to become more calm.
So (sew?) nice to hear you find sewing calming! 😀