So I was talking to a friend the other day about making a jacket. And she was asking all of these involved and detailed questions about making a jacket. She started to laugh at me because I kept saying, "I sew, I don't tailor."Then she pointed out that I've made several jackets...one of which she had seen the interior construction of...again I repeated that, "I sew, I don't tailor."
Because to me a tailored jacket has a specific set of "ingredients" that take time and knowledge to accomplish. My jackets have some elements of tailoring in them but I wouldn't consider them a tailored jacket by any means! I think I said something like, "I do alot of 'soft' tailoring because I predominantly use fusibles and a lot of shortcuts!"
I am NOT patient enough to do all the steps required to make a true tailored jacket. I've also found that I like a softer, more drapier garment with less structure. My exact words went something like, "structured, rigid jackets make me look fatter!" Which of course just made her laugh louder at me.
But really people, I just like to sew. I am not an advanced sewist by any means. There are quite a few things that I can't and don't sew, some because I don't know how, some because I don't wanna know how! So this means that all of my garments won't be perfect. This means that sometimes I settle for 'good enough' and I share both my successes and my failures to encourage others to "just keep sewing!"
There are quite a few bloggers out here, who are advanced and make amazing garments. For example, Barbara, who authors the blog, "Cat Fur Studio" just made an awesome cashmere jacket. She used techniques in her jacket and explained why...some things that I've never even thought of! *LOL* So if you are looking for perfect, please look to them!
But if you are looking for enthusiasm, some experience, a lot of talk, a deep love and abiding passion, then keep on stopping by! Because I like to sew...but I don't tailor!
I can just see your friend's, um, reaction to your comment - "I sew, I don't tailor!"
ReplyDeleteI had to chuckle when I read this as it sounds like something I'd say! We seem to always down play our own talents. From your posts, Carolyn, I believe you truly have the talent to sew and tailor if you sew choose - ha ha!!
:)
Blame it all on Marji and her coat sewalong, but tailoring is my friend now. Making that damn coat showed me tailoring is not so bad, but I don't think I'd ever want to make more than two or three tailored garments a year. Cuz it's a pain.
ReplyDeleteYes, categorize yourself however you want, you are an inspiration, and I nominated you for a Kreativ Blogger award for everything you do!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn,
ReplyDeleteYou do you and you do a fabulous job of it! Call it what you like, I call it fantastic!
Carolyn, I agree with the others, call it sewing or tailoring, you do a fantastic job. I enjoy all your posts, pictures and sewing. Keep up the good work. Thank you
ReplyDeleteCall it whatever you like. I'll read your stuff.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Good for you! You can sew how you want, when you want and using the techniques you want. (and call it what ever you want.) That is why it is so fun.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll end up being more of a sewist than a tailor, so I'm with you there!
ReplyDeleteBingo. You said what I feel. Again. Sometime ago I realized that a lot of tailoring comes from the structure of men's clothes and the result is, you're right, structured. Not comfortable to me, not flattering on me. I do better with things that skim and let me move. First though I had to get over the sewing as a performance/competitive art as in "good sewers padstitch". I love your blog and your garments, to me great sewing is about loving what you make, wearing it with enjoyment and letting your creativity flow when you sew. All of which you do better than anyone else.
ReplyDeleteI am with you 100%, but you do sew beautifully. I love your blog and look forward to what you sew. Elizabeth H
ReplyDeleteI'm with you - I sew, not tailor! Ii do think you create beautiful garments irregardless!
ReplyDeleteOh, sh*t up. :-) Maybe you "just" sew, if you like to say that, but you are absolutely advanced. :-)
ReplyDeleteAs long as you continue to enjoy sewing, it doesn't make a difference what techniques are used. Your sewing and finished garments are such a inspiration to me and others. Enjoy sewing your way.
ReplyDeleteYour garments and your attitude toward sewing them is a delight to read. I really think, though, there will come a time when you will say to yourself, I am ready to make that coat, or whatever other challenging garment comes down the pike. You DO have the talent.
ReplyDeleteYou may not claim to be a tailor, but that tailoring spirit is in you, for sure! I say that because it shows in your garments. So whatever you'd like to call it, it's still inspirational. Keep up the excellent work!
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your blog for close to a year now and you have inspired me to create my own. I'm not as productive as you are but you are definitely an advanced seamstress with a little tailoring on the side. A book you should check out is "Easy, Easier, Easiest Tailoring". It's from the Palmer-Pletsch group. One can use fusibles in tailoring garments. From what I have read, you are using tailoring techniques in your garments whether you know it or not. While in college, I took a tailoring course as one of my electives. Adele Margolis book "Tailoring" was our textbook. I learned a lot from that book and still refer to it. I consider my sewing skills to be intermediate as I don't sew as often as I read about it or talk about it. Keep up the great work. The world needs more people like you in it.
ReplyDeleteInteresting - I like your take on the whole thing. You are making sewing work for you - for your body, your sense of style and your own personal sewing happiness. If that doesn't include traditional tailoring, then that's fine.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn,
ReplyDeleteSewing, tailoring, be it what ever, you give us so much more through your blogs. You keep me happy when I am down, you inspire me to enjoy my sewing/tailoring and you left us all know there is someone out there who meets the bumos in the road and keeps on going. Your warmth, love and kindness are always given so freely and wholeheartedly.
Susan W
Carolyn, two things matter to me - (1) the quality of your end product, and of course, (2) did you enjoy creating it. You've got that and more. Your garments are impeccably gorgeous. And of course, your enthusiasm and generosity in telling us about your process is inspirational.
ReplyDelete