Friday, January 04, 2019

My Sewjo has Fled

I was eagerly anticipating my Holiday Break. I was going to spend quality time in the Sewing Cave, working on garments that I'd added to my 2019 Sewing List. I had the fabric on hand and was going to challenge myself to only use the notions that are stocked in the cave.

...and nothing.  Absolutely nothing. I tried to make a new top that while it looks amazing on my new dressform doesn't look as amazing on me.


Then I thought maybe I should lay off the easy projects. They never work out well for me anyway and turned to a jacket pattern that I've used successfully 3x before. I added a new element and bound the heck out of it. It's pretty inside...it is...but the sleeves don't work. ALL I need to do is make new sleeves...and it stopped me dead. I didn't have the wherewithall to make new sleeves.


There was no desire to make new sleeves or to make anything else, absolutely positively nothing else. So I bingewatched some TV/Netflix/Amazon Prime and no I didn't watch Bird Box. I read a few more chapters of Michelle Obama's book. I started crocheting the first of the blankets I promised the grandchildren and I slept...ALOT!

I made plans to go to the movies and then caught the cold my grandchildren had been sharing with everyone...so having the luxury...I slept for another two days. Got up yesterday to do some things for my job prior to going back to work on Monday.

So it's the weekend and I go back to work on Monday. I don't believe I'm going to sew anything this weekend either. I don't even feel like taking pictures of the four garments that are done and waiting to be added to the blog. I have NO desire to buy fabric so you KNOW it's bad! *LOL*  Oh and while all the other Christmas decorations have been removed and put away, I still have to denude the tree.

I'm sure I will go back to work and my sewing mojo will show up! *LOL* Because why wouldn't it when I can't use it! *sigh* Anyway, that's my update of my Holiday Break...a lot of rest, a lot of TV watching, some crocheting and reading but no sewing.

There are four things waiting to be photographed so there will be more garment posts sooner or later. 

ps - I read this great blog post on how to get your sewing mojo back and thought I would share. Mine hasn't come back yet but it was encouraging reading the post.

...as always more later!


39 comments:

  1. Oh dear. That is such a shame and I remember planning exciting things to make and do over the holiday period and just not feeling like it. Perhaps your body and mind was telling you that you needed to rest. I'm sure your mojo will return when you're back at work as you say. Greetings and blessings from Yorkshire. ❤

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  2. Sounds like you really, really needed rest. The mojo will return, and hopefully all that r and r will build your immune system up to fight off anything for the rest of the season..

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    1. Barbara - I knew I was tired but it seems like I was more tired than I realized!

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  3. Both the top and the jacket look potentially fantastic. I hope with a rest and time away from it, they can be finished some day. It does seem you needed a rest, post-Christmas, and I have been the same, with little sewing done despite perceived opportunity, and can't even work up a blog atm. And I am reading Michelle Obama's book too - can't put it down late at night :) She is a great lady and a very enjoyable writer too.

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    1. Patricia - the jkt will be awesome when it’s done. The top is a disappointment. It’s wearable but it doesn’t look like the pattern on me.

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  4. What a shame. But perhaps you needed the rest more than you needed the clothes! The top looks great, hopefully after spending some time away from it you will be happier with it.

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  5. If it's any consolation....I read your blog to get myself stitching again

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  6. It sounds like you needed the rest. I'm sure your mojo will return soon!

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  7. I blame the holidays -- I never want to see much in December/early January. The mojo will return, not to worry!

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  8. Understand completely. Like Peter says, it will return.
    Theresa in Tucson

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  9. I love that top!! It's hard, as a creative person, when we don't have the energy or that *spark* of creativity to fuel us and it's totally ok to take a break, get some rest, and recharge. The holidays are always a stressful time under the best of circumstances and I'm glad you were able to get some rest. Your sewjo will be back and I look forward to seeing what you create!

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  10. I've been enjoyably following you for many years and I've read about previous 'lost my sewjo/burnout' moments. It seems you always come back with a force, better and brighter. You've brought us some 'wow' moments in 2018. Now it's time to relax, reflect, revive, refuel, and retool -- not only your sewjo, but maybe other pieces of your life journey. I read that blog article you posted here and it inspired me to move forward in my quest to become more proficient in my sewing. I'm going to be enrolling in intermediate skills private instruction this month. Enjoy your grandbabies, finish those blankets, catch up with the other things you enjoy. "A true sewist never stops sewing--sometimes it's done with the hands, most times it's done in the head".

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    1. Robin - you always add something inciteful to a conversation, so thank you for that! It’s the weekend and I’ve resigned myself to the fact that this was a sleep, read, crochet vacation!

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  11. Sometimes I think it's good to step away from sewing completely - whether because you are traveling or just not feeling well or other obligations in life take up your time. I think it actually recharges the sewing idea to stop for a while. Hope you are feeling better and I always think at this time of year "spring is on the way !!!!" so that makes me want to plan and sew :)

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  12. I hate when I lose my mojo! And I know *just* how devastating it can feel to lose it when you have ALL THE TIME to sew! Wah.

    Well the good thing is, you KNOW it'll return...And you may come up with some "fixes" for your so-so pieces.

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    1. K - that was the devastating thing at the beginning - ALL THE TIME AND NO DESIRE. I’m not sure that I’m going to get this much time again this year. There are so many family events and things to do this year so I’m sad it didn’t work out.

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  13. It's like a battery; you're storing energy for the next expectation-buster. When the kids were little and all I'd get was an hour now and then, I got more done in that hour than any other hour of my entire life. Recently I had an entire week to myself, and I slept when I wasn't cleaning the house or... cleaning the house (it was gonna stay clean!). It did not stay clean.

    But the sleeves. Maaaaaan, this lady arm sleeve thing has broken me. My shoulders moved down to about five inches down my arm. I work out, I lift weights. Was that a mistake? I've been lifting for twenty years. Two piece sleeve? Fake two piece sleeve with a dart? A shaped dart?
    I got nothing. So I'm rearranging the cave. And the deck chair analogy seems apt.

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    1. SJ - sleeves are a never ending battle. Sometimes they challenge me to get them finished and sometimes they set me back. I have enough fabric to remake them and I’m sure I will...I just have to get the creative desire back. But sleeves....

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  14. Whoa! I know you were really looking forward to spending lots of time in the sewing cave. I know how it is when you have all the time in the world to sew and the mojo does not follow. I like the top on your new dress form as well as the start of the new jacket. Reading, binge watching and sleep are important as well and with a cold it can be just miserable. I know when your sewing mojo returns we will be seeing lots of new makes.

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  15. It happens to all of us. I think when we have been working hard at our jobs some extra down time forces us into a brain rest mode, sucking away creativity and making us "just not want to". Maybe that virus you caught was brewing too. I find a day or two before a bug arrives I just feel really out of sorts and can't explain it. All in all, I know you'l get your mojo back and great things will come. Besides, binge watching is fun. I just started up in Cuckoo and can't stop laughing.

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  16. I hate it when that happens! But I think you will recover as you said. I am glad you got the opportunity to enjoy your holiday break in a different way--it was probably what you needed most. I do like the things you have worked on so far.

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  17. It will return....and with more creativity than ever.
    Looking forward to seeing what happens when it does.

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  18. Someone as creative and productive as you are will not be sitting idle for very long. As others have noted, you may have needed down time more than you realize and the recharging that is taking place will serve you very well in the weeks ahead. Thank you for the link to the blog post on what to do when your sewjo disappears -- it was inspirational. As are you. Am looking forward to all that you will be sharing in 2019!

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  19. I agree with all the others, you will come back as creative and interesting as ever. A Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your Lovely family.

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  20. Sounds like you needed some serious rest--from everything. Even our passions can tire out leaving us in need of a break. Your mojo will come back Your creativity will spring up once again. The top is amazing--too bad it doesn't work for you. And who says the jacket needs sleeves? It still makes a stunning statement as a vest with white or black top underneath.

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  21. I say take a break from the sewing and you will miss it soon enough. Sometimes we need to do something else. After the 1st I always get an urge to clean the house and rearrange things. Then I go back to sewing in March or so.

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  22. I'm with you! I wanted to finish a top before the new year and I never once touched it. The holidays do that to a sewist. I hope yours comes back soon.

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  23. You know, it's possible that your body was diverting the energy from your mind to fight this illness that it knew was coming on. You clearly needed the rest, and I have no doubt the mojo will return soon. It's a shame you had to use all that lovely time off to be unwell, though. Glad you're feeling better now!

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  24. Oh what a shame. I remember so well how precious extra sewing time was when I was still working. Happy New Year Carolyn.

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  25. I love that red and black fabric. Relax, reframe and the magic will be back.

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  26. Loss of mojo is absolutely ok. I've been through it many times, and find that it is far more helpful than harmful to the process, actually. I use mojo loss time to read and get get inspired by creative books, watch creative movies, and visit museums. Cooking helps, too! Also, with years of clogging under your belt, refresh some old posts and add comments. Then, just wait for the desire to hit. If you're like me (kinda obsessed... and I think we both are...), it will be a nice break to do other things. There are amazing movies out there that have truly inspired me, visually, and made me wanna sew specific things. i know everyone has different taste, but I'd be glad to share titles if you want any suggestions!

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    1. Darn it, "blogging", not clogging. - Darn typos!

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  27. Easy. It's January, and here in Scotland, we just hibernate for a month. No point in worrying about it! My Christmas tunic is still not made!

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  28. I can't imagine that your sewing mojo will be gone for long. You have too many ideas. Maybe sleeping is what your body really needed.

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  29. I must admit the 'no desire to buy fabric'-part got me worried, but you probably just need time to recharge. I'm sure it won't be long before you wake up with more plans than you'll ever be able to sew!

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    1. Marianne - don’t worry that no desire to buy fabric didn’t last long!!! 😄 I bought some fabric last weekend!!!

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  30. After sewing like there's no tomorrow in the last couple of months, I feel I need a break too. Sewing our clothes should be a pleasure, not an obligation, so sometimes taking some time off is actually therapeutic. Don't worry, your mojo will be back when you're ready!

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