Two Million Stitches

What My Sewing Machine Taught Me This Year

Because I am naïve. Because I don’t concern myself with such things. Because, because, because.

I took my sewing machine in for servicing over the holiday. It seemed like the perfect time for its yearly tune-up. A week later, I received a message: my machine was ready to be picked up. And then came the surprise — “You’ve stitched just under two million stitches this year.” WHAT?

Two. Million. Stitches.

First of all, I had no idea my machine tracked stitch count. How many stitches does a stitcher stitch if a stitcher could stitch stitches? It makes sense. The machine is electronic, computerized, and smarter than I give it credit for. But what does a stitch count even mean? Is that average? Above average? A sign of enthusiasm or perhaps dedication? 

I had several days before I could pick up the machine, so I turned to Google. The answers were vague but offered a bit of insight. I use my machine mostly for quilting and have recently begun experimenting with free-motion embroidery — both of which rack up stitch counts far faster than sewing garments or hemming pants.

Fascinating? Absolutely. Dangerous knowledge? Maybe. Because now the thing that brings me joy — quilting, experimenting, designing with color and pattern, learning — might become a competition with myself.
Can I sew more this year than last?
Which projects produce the most stitches?
Am I a “heavy user”?
And if so… do I need a more heavy-duty machine?

My mind is spinning. I love numbers, and I love playing with them. The gauntlet has been thrown — by a sewing machine, no less.

Next step: pick up my machine, ask questions, and learn what this means. Maybe it needs servicing more than once a year. Maybe I need a different model down the road. Or maybe I just need to put the stitch count out of my mind and simply continue creating focusing on creativity and fun.

Do you know how many stitches you stitch each year (if you sew at all)?
What do you count? Miles driven? Books read? Trips taken? Money saved (or spent)?

Numbers, numbers, everywhere.