Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Follow-up

The post on "What is an Influencer" produced a lot of conversations, not only on the blog (thank you for your comments), but also in my email and on social media. Obviously it was a topic that many sewists had thoughts about ~ which is probably why there was such a big discussion.

However, I wanted to add a few other thoughts.  Honestly, I do not think of myself as an Influencer.  Which someone pointed out to me was wrong because I'm a Janome Ambassador and it gave me pause. A few of you called me different names in the comments ~ Influential, Mentor, Inspirational.  I like those titles so much better. They more accurately reflect how I see myself.

I want to inspire each one of us, myself included, to learn our craft, sew better and to enjoy the process. I want to inspire you to seek out the thing in you that makes you want to create and explore that - taking it wherever it leads you - but hopefully on many creative journeys. 

Inspiring you to try new techniques, new fabrics, new notions ~ things that will bring depth and joy to our craft.  I want to inspire you to think of yourself as an artisan or a craftsperson...not just someone who sews.  Because we're all talented with special gifts that we're using every day.

I want to share my fabric, notions, stores, etc. with you without you and myself feeling like I'm "selling" to you. This last year has taught me I'm NOT that woman. I'm not saying that others who are stepping into those roles should not be doing so because each sewist has the right to choose their own path.  It's just not mine.

My path is to share my sewing journey with you. Especially now that my health issues have been resolved and it seems as if life is moving on. I refuse to say returning to normal because the pandemic has changed our lives in so many ways and we will never return to pre-pandemic life.  At least to me... So I've made a few decisions about how I'm moving forward.

I will be blogging more. Words are my comfort zone. More so than images, moving or static. I will be posting to Instagram but more like I did prior to reels, IGTV, etc. I will continue to add process, alterations and construction tips to blog posts here. I know this sounds like I'm standing still and not changing with the times and maybe that's true. I just need to be true to me and share in the manner that works for me.  For me authenticity means a lot.

Thank you all so much who've hung in here with me.  Found me and followed me on Instagram.  Continue to comment and hold discussions...it's one of the things I really like about blogging...hearing your thoughts, suggestions and comments.  It may be old fashioned, out of step but sometimes the old things work! *LOL*


...as always more later!



33 comments:

  1. Love to hear this I enjoy reading your blog, seeing what you’ve made and understanding the work that has gone into it. Please keep doing this as it a joy to me

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  2. Yay for "old things"! Looking forward to reading more blogs from you :)

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  3. I think your authenticity is the reason so many people love your blog.

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  4. I must be old-fashioned too. I love blogs - read them every day with my morning coffee. Instagram, not so much. All those pictures just blur together.

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  5. I read your Blog whenever it pops up on Bloglovin. It may seem we have nothing in common - I live in a small northern midwestern town, I'm retired which makes me older, I'm maybe half your size and come in a different color. I mostly quilt but you get me back to my roots of sewing. I have a large stash of 'oh, wouldn't that make a cool top' fabric, right next to all that quilting cotton. I'm very jealous of how close you are to New York. I used to do alterations for extra cash ( I hate alterations!!) but it's a great way to learn clothing constructions and how it's done professionally. But it's amazing how 2 ladies so different can enjoy the same interest, coming at it from different directions. Please keep Blogging so we can get together again over breakfast.

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  6. Agree! Sometimes I feel Instagram 'burnout'. My day starts with my Bloglovin feed and my morning coffee. :-)

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  7. I've been a quilter for a long time both because I love it and because it is SO HARD to fit myself. Reading your blog and a few others like sewmanju has inspired me to start making for me in the shape I am right now! I still love a blog too, glad that will be your focus!

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  8. I don't tend to comment , but I will say that yours is one of the very few I check every morning. I love your social commentary and the fabulous things you make out of some very pretty fabrics. You are so fortunate to live so close to a great source for fabrics. I am in central Mexico and the pickings are slim, but every now and then my local fabric store gets a good shipment in. Your voice is so inspiring and am looking forward to more blogs. Cute granddaughters you have also.

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  9. I always read every word of your blog so it is wonderful that you are going to continue and to maybe even do more! I think no matter what fast paced trend comes along there will always be a welcome place for depth and substance.

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  10. I, too, am happy to hear that you'll be blogging more as I so enjoy your posts. Learning to fit a mature figure can be a challenge so I appreciate you spending time listing alterations and showing how you accomplish a good fit. I sincerely believe that is the biggest stumbling block for many women and why they prefer quilting to garment sewing. Thanks again for your blog. Karen

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  11. Insight once again...Powerful, Caroline. I enjoy your blog very much and look forward to seeing if you are in bloglovin today. I would definitely have you in my circle of Sister-Sewers(esp, since we are of an age, shape and mind sometimes) Glad to know that this year has not stalled you or your creativity. Wish I lived near you as you could show me some of these wonderful places that you shop.
    Up here in middle New England it is Very limited Oh but the weather!! Wish you well today. Pegeth

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  12. I am so happy for your decision because, frankly, it will benefit me, a fellow lover of words and deeper thought than IG, et al, can accommodate. Looking forward to your musings.

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  13. I just read your earlier post because I saw this "Follow Up" first. I am envious of your word skills, writing is hard for me. But I am great at math and accounting, so I get numbers faster than words. I commented on your previous post that you have been an influencer to me, a real genuine influencer as well as inspirer and some times enabler. I am glad you will continue to post on your blog as it is a nice place to visit.

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  14. I read your blog first. I'm glad you're going to keep writing so I can keep reading. While I want to go back to being able to sit in a theater with other people, I don't long to return to the previous world of racist/sexist/other-izing. I appreciate the sewing, and I appreciate what you have to say on all the other matters.

    A question: were you / did you consider yourself a writer when you were young? Because you are one now, and a good one.

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  15. I am really happy about your blogging decision and I totally get it. If you enjoy writing, it's the only place to express with depth and have others partake and enjoy that deep thought. Great decision, Carolyn.

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  16. I Love reading your Blog and you are one of my most favorite “mentor”!

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  17. I am glad you are blogging, like ik every week.

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  18. Thanks for your blog posts I like to read them

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  19. So, Carolyn, you've been thinking again. It is good to know "who I am!" Actually your blog means much more to me than all the pretty pictures on Instagram. Keep doing what you do so very well and what we, your followers, find so very helpful.--anne

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  20. Really enjoy your blogs. May they continue for many years to come.

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  21. I love your blog and read it all the time. You inspire me and I've learned so much from you about pattern and fabric choices and alterations. I also have found new fabric stores which has created a nice way for my youngest daughter and me to create lovely clothes together even though I live far away. She can go pick out whatever fabric she wants, send it to me, and she gets something beautiful to wear in return that we both created. You don't comment often but I enjoy reading your social commentary and family stories as well. No doubt, it's a lot of work keeping this blog going on top of everything else you do but know that there's a world of people you touch and inspire all the time.

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  22. I have enjoyed your blog for years and you ARE a writer and have certainly influenced me to move from quilting to garment sewing. I just covered buttons because you did it on your lemon dress.I am sure I have tried some of the other skills you demonstrated. Please keep sharing your thoughts, observations, and positive energy. I am glad you are healthy again too,

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  23. I too enjoy being able to read a blog and not just look at pretty pictures. I love that you share your process as well as you finishes and yes you do inspire me to make instead of just dreaming about it.

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  24. I personally don't like the word either, it's trendy though...Glad you're staying where you are. I do IG, often thought of blogging but just not that committed. I look upon all ladies and gentlemen that sew as fellow cohorts. Love looking at what others are doing / making.

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  25. Yay for blogs. As a follower of your blog since it’s first inception, I am heartened to read this post. I have learnt from you to be more fearless in cutting into pattern tissue, to make a muslin when not sure of a fit. I am inspired and enlightened about fabric colour and design. My growth as a sewist has been due to you and all the other wonderful sewists who generously share with the wider world. As they say in New Zealand Ka pai, Arohanui!

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  26. I get bored with the pretty pictures on Instagram pretty quickly - there is no depth to them, which comes from words. You know, like on a blog! Have enjoyed reading your blog for many years, may there be many more.

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  27. Yours was one of the first sewing blogs I started reading--don't remember when that was. Like so many other commenters, I click your blog first. I enjoy seeing your pattern and fabric combos. Before I started following your blog, I tried a different pattern every time I sewed a garment. You've taught me that there's no harm (or shame) in repeatedly using a pattern I love or in having a large and inspiring stash of fabric.

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  28. Carolyn I enjoy your posts and make it a point to check it out nearly Everyday! You are such an Inspiration to me and I love seeing your Beautiful grand children also. Keep up the GOOD WORK!

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  29. I'm delighted to hear this, as I love reading your blog.

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  30. Thank you! I can't add anything to what's been said by others. I've long followed your writing/blog, and now see your Instagram. Once on a Pattern Review trip I met you in person. So glad you are there sharing sewing thoughts and those that are even more important (and appreciated).

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  31. Carolyn, your blog is one of my happiest places. It feels like a friend is talking to me and I think you write as well as you sew.
    Lorrie

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  32. This is wat i like about you. No pressure this is what I am and that is what you get. ( translation of a dutch saying😂)

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