I never imagined myself getting into sewing, and definitely falling into as deep as I have.
It all started when I was browsing Blue Ridge Overland Gear's website years ago and saw their limited run “Map Folio.” I really wanted one but with it being a limited run they were not available at that time.
I have this weird genetic condition that makes me convinced I can figure anything out, so that's what I started doing. I spent way to long analyzing the pictures on their website, comparing what I was seeing to measurements of actual road maps trying to duplicate the Map Folio's dimensions.
Once I was confident that I had worked out the design, I went and bought an entry level sewing machine that claimed to be “Heavy Duty” and started ordering the supplies I would need.
Once everything showed up, I was immediately overwhelmed. Why is it so hard to get the pattern straight? Why isn't anything lining up? How do I thread this thing? What's the difference between top thread tension and bottom thread tension? Turns out, I really didn't know what I didn't know.
I struggled, but I figured it out. I spent hours of time, and enough money to buy at least 10 of the Map Folio's, just to end up with a barely passable imitation of the original... and a new addiction.
I would have never expected it, but I loved sewing. When I'm sewing, I have to give it all of my attention and focus, similar to the feeling I used to get when shooting competitively or riding motorcycles. All of my focus is on the task at hand, and all of the things I'm worried or concerned about just get pushed into the background for a little while. I also learned to really enjoy thinking of how to construct the items I was sewing (you usually end up building everything inside out and backwards).
And now I'm here, starting a webpage and selling the things I'm sewing. And yes, I still have my knock off Map Folio (please don't come after me Blue Ridge Overland Gear) and it still lives in my glove box with some maps.