Monday, October 27, 2014

Blog Hopping

Well I guess it's my turn since I've been nominated not once but twice...first by Leisa from A Challenging Sew and then by Debbie Cook from Stitches & Seams.

First the four questions ~

Why do I write?

I've been blogging for 9 years. In January it will be 10 years and some days I can't believe that I'm still doing it. Especially since quite a few bloggers that I started out with no longer blog which saddens me. I'm not sure if they lost interest or if they just moved on...however, I am hoping that they are still sewing.  So why am I still writing? Probably because I haven't run out of things to say or sewing adventures to share. When I started out I was one of the few plus size sewists sewing and that was my thing.  The plus size chick who wasn't afraid or ashamed to show her fat arms, her large abdomen and her bodacious booty in my own creations. Now there is a group of plus size women sewing and blogging and I'm thrilled to be in their company!

What am I working on now?
On another site, they called my dresses & posts, "Another Boring Sheath Dress" so what am I working on ~ another boring sheath dress! *LOL* Well actually I've decided to embrace my boringness and I'm doing a series of boring sheath dresses.  The series will include three new patterns, a designer knock off or two and a TNT dress project.  I love dresses and I'm quickly running out of time to wear them cause winter is coming...so I'm gonna sew them until it gets too cold again to wear them out and about!

How does my writing process work?
From the inception of a new project, I'm writing blog posts. Personally I like writing about a garment in three separate posts ~ the inspiration post, the pattern alterations post and then the reveal post where I incorporate everything and show pictures of me wearing the garment. I keep my camera handy to take pictures of each step of the process and when I write the posts, I pick and choose from the photos to add to it.

I have to admit that if I had to write just one post I would inevitably forget something. Also by using this three step process, when I go back later to review a garment or a pattern, I know exactly why I did what I did. I understand that this is unusual and seems like blog filler but it is part of my process and what helps me stay excited about a project.

There are also the Question of the Day posts that usually come to me when I'm deep into the process of making something. They really are written free form and then refined before I schedule them. BTW, I schedule most of my posts. If I didn't schedule them, I don't think I would post as often because of my day job. During a good sewing weekend, I could write 2 or 3 posts which are then scheduled over the course of a week. If something new comes up that makes me want to write, then I just reschedule the posts in the queue. So that's why there always seems to be something new on the blog.

Now when there are days when there's nothing new, I'm probably either in a creative funk or too busy with my day job to sew & write. This will probably be the last post for this week since I haven't sewn in two weeks and have nothing to say. Hopefully I will be sewing next weekend and will have more to share then.

Who Shall I Nominate?
The first person I'd like to nominate is Sheila of SheilaCTK. We both work in corporate environments and I love what she makes to wear to work, as well as, how she refashions an already sewn garment. Also she loves fabric as much as I do and I love seeing what's come home with her lately!

My second person would be Diana of SewPassionista by DIANA.  Diana is retired but she sews such interesting pieces. I love the details that she puts into her garments and she always inspires me.

And I'm going to totally break the rules and also nominate Claudine from Rolling In Cloth. I want to be Claudine when I grow up. She sews the most amazing things from the most interesting fabrics.  She dyes fabric, hand embroiders pieces and just makes jaw dropping garments.  Yeah, I want to sew like her when I grow up.

Hope you learned something new about me and if not, hope I didn't bore you! However, I really hope that you hop on over to the blogs mentioned above. There are some amazing sewing bloggers out there that are still sewing up some awesome garments, even though they are no longer shiny and new!

Finally thanks Debbie and Leisa for nominating me...

...as always more later!

36 comments:

  1. Your dresses are never boring and neither are your posts.

    I have a few fav bloggers (you included) and I didn't nominate them as I thought that you all had been blogging for so long you would think .... not another lot of blog questions!! Glad to see I was wrong as it was interesting to read your post.

    Your TNT dresses have been an inspiration to many sewists - plus sized or not.

    Hope you never run out of things to say.

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  2. Frankly, I will not tire of reading you. You address issues of fit, work/play balance, long range planning, wardrobe revision in a conversational manner that doesn't feel like a diary to me. You aren't boastful or mean and you never stoop to snarky. Thanks for the insight into your writing process. And just thanks!

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  3. Never boring. Not the sheath dresses or anything else. Certainly not the writing!
    I didn't nominate you either because I thought you would be inundated with requests.

    Please don't stop blogging. You are one of my greatest inspirations.

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  4. I love sheath dresses....and shift dresses....pretty much anything without a waist. I do think body shape plays into what kind of dresses we like, so those who favor more retro or fit-and-flare probably won't like the same dresses. I have learned a lot about sewing from your blog, but the number one thing I have learned is Class:) Thanks so much!

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  5. Agree with the others. I've seen many boring (to me) blogs but yours is not one of them. Thanks for showing your fat arms and your large (shrinking) abdomen cos there's lots of us out here that also have them. :)

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  6. People are turds. Your dresses are lovely, not boring.

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  7. "Boring" is not an adjective I would ever associate with your blog. There is always plenty of grist for the mill for any person who sews in your blog posts.
    As my mum says.."Only boring people get bored!"

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  8. Some people are so rude!! I adore your so-called boring posts and boring sheath dresses. You are an inspiration to us all and I hope you keep sewing and posting for a long, long time.

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  9. You are never boring! I always go to your blog first. Please continue to blog, it motivates me and many others.

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  10. You are anything but boring! I look forward to every new blog post you write. Some people are rude. You are my inspiration and have given me courage to get back into sewing clothing!

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  11. Wow! People are so rude to talk about your blog. Well I for one, look forward to your posts. Haven't worn dresses in a long time, so I love to see your next dress creations. Ignore those haters and keep on blogging.

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  12. Your sewing process and creations are never boring, I can't believe someone would say that. I love that you explain the process of a creation, from inspiration and pattern tweaks. I especially like it when they grandkids are in the background of your photoshoots and tales of sewing projects you and your daughter create together. Those are awww moments that I also enjoy reading. I hope you keep blogging for many more years to come.

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  13. Thanks Carolyn!! Your posts are a constant inspiration, so keep doing what you do.
    What that insensitive individual fail to realize is, our sewing and dressing is a lifestyle, not a road show.

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  14. Thanks for sharing. You sew what you want to wear instead of putting on a show and ending up with a closet full of stuff you haven't worn since the blog photos. If that is boring to some, oh well. I take encouragement from it and try to plan my sewing so that it ends up being something I will wear and love.

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  15. I've been reading your blog for a long time, Carolyn, but I still learned new things about your writing process. Thanks for sharing!

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  16. You have really inspired me to sew and blog so I am thankful for that. It just amazes me what you can do with some fabric and thread. Trust me never boring!

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  17. Our very own FLOTUS has made dresses and sheaths very popular--so you are in excellent company. I love how you can reinterpret a trend or style for the plus sized woman and your ability to create 'un-boring' corporate wear.

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  18. Boring sheath dresses? Please! I really like that you find ways to inject both your own style and runway inspiration into a corporate wardrobe. I would find it so difficult to have fun and stay inspired if I had a strict dress code to follow, but you always find creative ways to try different things while still looking work-appropriate.

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  19. Thanks for sharing! I'm constantly curating my blog feed and I find that you consistently have something interesting to say whether you're making "another boring sheath dress" (in ponte) or not. I'm actually excited to see posts by you! :)

    I've named my blog "another floral dress" because that's all I seem to make too. Thank for the inspiration!

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  20. I often find that when people are critical of someone else, they are really showing what their own problem is. I turn off when people are critical, whether it is a blog or a political ad so the real loser is the one who finds fault with others. As for you.... Carolyn, you have definitely inspired me to learn and grow as a sewer. I had given it up when I had to start adjusting all my patterns to fit my plus sized body. But you showed me it was "normal" and inspired me to start again. Thanks to you, I look at all clothing (plus size or not) with a closer eye to detail and how I can incorporate those details in my own sewing. And, yes, your blog is the first one I read every time I see it on my feed!!!

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  21. Carolyn, It's always nice to read about why someone blogs and shares the details of their creative process. I like the three posts methodology. It's a good way to track notes and progress. I am also a fan of the three creative ladies you nominated. Congrats to all! Thanks again!

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  22. Only boring people get bored. LOL I like that. So true. Pretty ego-centric to think you're put on the earth to entertain THEM.

    I love your blog. I like the process and I always seem to learn something. :)

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  23. i think you are TERRIFIC, "boring sheath dresses" and all! (pfffft! the nerve! i'm so glad i found your blog!

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  24. Your blog is one of my favorites Carolyn, you inspire many!

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  25. I was just thinking about a sheath dress that you made last fall. I gathered my fabrics of choice and I plan to CLONE me one too :) I NEVER tire of seeing your CREATIONS. I love the way you take a project from start to finish!!! They keep me inspired and positive!!!

    CONGRATS to the three ladies and especially Sheila :)

    FIESTA ANYHOW!!!

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  26. Never bored here! Your blog is always enjoyable to read. Thanks so much for sharing all you do!

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  27. You are my favorite sewing blogger and you are never boring! Your creativity, skill and fearlessness inspires and encourages me. I'm plus-size also and you have helped me see myself as okay just as I am instead of being ashamed for not being skinny young girl I used to be. Thank you for everything!

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  28. Keep doing the boring sheath dresses - love seeing them. Wish I had more in my wardrobe. Your scheduling of posts is very organised!

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  29. Isn't it funny the way people view things, it always amazes me the things you do with a sheath dress so it ISN'T boring. I always look forward to reading your posts as I usually learn something new.

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  30. Keep boring us Carolyn! Hee hee. Haterz gotta hate, right? Thanks for hopping on ... I did learn some new things, esp. the scheduled posts. Now I know why I think you're always up at midnight blogging away. lol

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  31. Greetings! I enjoy your blog. I also liked the pictures you inserted into this post. Do you know the patterns by chance?

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  32. "Another boring sheath dress"?!?!?! *snort* Seriously, what is boring about sheath dresses? The ignorant (fools?) never know when to shut their mouths. A well-fitted sheath dress is one of the holy grails of sewing, and I have yet to perfect the fit of a sheath dress that I'm comfortable in and proud to wear. And I'm so glad you broke the rule of nominating only 2, because being Claudine is an awesome at her craft. I'd like to be her when I'm grown up, too.

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  33. Love all your sheath dresses and your TNT changes are so inspiring for me. Very interesting to read about your blog process, thank you for sharing.

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  34. I love your sheath and other dresses. I'm always amazed at how you can achieve your very own "designer" copies of dresses you've seen at one source or other. The impeccable finish that each dress gets on the inside is a source of inspiration for me when I'm sewing . Thank you Carolyn for chosing me for the blog hop! I'll hop on over to my blog later today and write my response. Have a great day !

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  35. You are inspirational! Thanks for posting a little more about you. New to the seeing community but you are one of my faves!! Thanks!!!

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  36. Another boring sheath dress? How about 'another flattering tasteful adult outfit that you can actually wear to an adult job' that's what I thought I was seeing here and enjoying!

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