Welcome to Fukuoka JET Spotlight! In this new series of posts, we will be sharing some of the achievements of our fellow JETs here in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Now nearly two years into this pandemic, many of us have found ourselves with plenty more free time than usual, leading to a range of brand new hobbies cropping up in our lives. This mini-series, Hobby Highlights, aims to share some of the great hobbies that our colleagues have nurtured during the pandemic.
Rosie, former Kitakyushu ALT
Q: What is your hobby, when did you start, and why?
My new hobby is sewing.
I had absolutely no experience in sewing apart from at age 12 when my home economics teacher told me, “You have absolutely no talent in this whatsoever!” At that time, I found bits of materials and hand sewed them. Even elastic was hard to come by, though! I enjoyed the process; it was relaxing and rewarding to make something from scratch.
Well, if not just to prove her wrong, I thought I’d give it a go.
In 2020, at the height of the pandemic panic in Japan, National AJET hosted a sew-a-thon. Masks were few and far between (I was secretly handed a bag of masks at school one day!) so everyone was encouraged to make their own – or wear the stunningly useless Abe-no-mask! Fukuoka AJET organised for masks to be sent to local charities in the area. We made the most masks out of all prefectures!
Q: What has encouraged you to keep up this hobby?
I started making small things from leftover material, learnt some basics, and spent a long time on Pinterest!
When I moved back to Scotland in August of 2020, I bought myself a ‘wee’ sewing machine and all the accessories. I made some slightly more adventurous things and gifts for family. Two of my great grannies were dressmakers in Glasgow, so I thought that it might run in the family? My granny is also an excellent seamstress and on hand for helpful tips!
Fast forward to November 2021, and now I have my very own proper sewing machine, thanks to my lovely boyfriend and his granny! (Grandmothers are obviously the people in the know about such things!)
During the lockdowns in the UK it was good to have little projects to work on. Finding time is a bit more difficult now but I’m still making a few bits here and there.
I’m also a teacher, so being able to make small things for my classroom has been great!
Q: Please tell us about some of your best achievements or proudest moments with your hobby so far.
I think the mask-a-thon is a pretty good achievement although it is shared with a number of others. There have been quite a few wonky pieces along the way – including pyjama trousers with one leg shorter than the other – but that’s been part of the fun!
I think just sticking with it and seeing progress has been the best thing.
I recently made fabric numbers with buttons to count for my students and it was lovely to see them being used for learning!
Q: What is your goal for this hobby?
My goal is to learn how to use my new sewing machine properly! And maybe to try to make some clothes. We have a baby niece on the way so I’ll hopefully be able to sew some little items for her.
You never know, with a bit more practice, I may have a little Etsy shop one day.
