In a world obsessed with speed and productivity, sewing invites us to slow down. Every cut, every seam, every careful press of the iron becomes a deliberate action. It's not just about finishing a project — it's about being present while making it.

For me, it's a grounding ritual: putting on music, listening to a podcast, or catching up on my favorite YouTube content creators, and focusing solely on fabric and form. That focus becomes a kind of stillness — a way to reconnect with myself. 

In my previous career as an Escrow Officer, my role was very demanding and required a lot of multitasking. Sometimes, I would be on the phone speaking with clients, problem solving while reading a contract and creating a Closing Statement. Sewing has slowed down the pace for me. The only multitasking that I do these days are listening to sound while focusing on getting my cuts right. 

🧵 How Sewing Helped Me Find Peace After Loss — and Gave Me a New Purpose

In 2023, I experienced an unexpected and deeply painful loss: the passing of my stepfather, who had been in my life for nearly 30 years. His death was a wake-up call — the kind that makes you pause and reevaluate everything.

In the months that followed, with the help of therapy and a lot of soul-searching, I began to ask myself some tough questions:

• Why am I not doing the things I love?

• What brings me peace and joy?

• Why am I waking up every day to go to a toxic work environment that drains me and makes me physically ill?

• What would it look like to pursue my passions?

• How can I build a life that gives me more time with my children?

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🌿 Rediscovering an Old Love

One of the answers came from a memory — something I had once loved but had tucked away: sewing.

I first taught myself to sew back in high school. My mom had purchased a sewing machine for herself, but it ended up sitting unused. I was curious, so I dove in. I read the manual, watched hours of YouTube tutorials, and spent countless evenings figuring out the basics — especially how to get the tension just right on the bobbin (which, let me tell you, felt like a never-ending battle).

I still remember the day I discovered that some machines come with automatic tension control — what a joyful revelation that was!

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🧘 Finding Calm in the Chaos

What I love most about sewing is how peaceful and forgiving it is. If you make a mistake, you can undo it and start again. Nothing is permanent — unless you cut your fabric too small (in which case, congratulations… now you have a mini version of whatever you were trying to make!).

That mindset — that mistakes are part of the process — was something I rarely experienced in my previous career. As an Escrow Officer, the pressure was constant. A single mistake could cost thousands of dollars or expose clients to serious risk. Every day was high-stakes.

With sewing, the stakes are different. Yes, I run a small handmade business now, and yes, mistakes still cost me time and money. But they don’t carry the same weight. I can fix them. Learn from them. Grow because of them.

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✨ Turning Passion Into Purpose

Sewing brings me a peace that I’ve never found anywhere else. It allows me to be creative, to express myself, and to build something beautiful and tangible with my hands. When I complete a piece — whether it's a tote bag, a zipper pouch, or something custom — I feel a deep sense of pride and accomplishment.

And more than anything, I hope that the people who purchase my handmade items feel that same peace. That same comfort. That same intention.

That’s why I started Sew at Peace — to turn my healing into handmade goods that bring joy to others.

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🏡 Creating a Life with Meaning

This blog, and this business, are both part of a larger journey: one that’s about choosing joy, creating space for peace, and building a life that aligns with my values. A life where I get to be more present with my children. A life where creativity and calm coexist.

If you're on your own journey to find purpose, peace, or simply a creative outlet — I hope you’ll follow along. Maybe even pick up a needle and thread. You never know where it might lead you.

With love and gratitude,
Lori
Founder, Sew at Peace