I've written a number of these posts over the years on this subject.
I love these words from a December 2015 post:
I love the space I occupy when I'm knee deep into a sewing vacay. I love how my mind starts to clear out the driftwood of life - those concerns that overburden us - and makes way for the soul cleansing that spending time being creative brings me.
Lately I've had similar thoughts now that I've started sewing again.
- I'm making way more mistakes now than I have in a long time. One is definitely fitting challenges. My body has changed on me yet again. My mind is working to keep up and not doing a very good job. I still see myself as heavier than I actually am.
- Recently pulled a pattern and almost rejected it because the finished hip width was 53 inches. I thought too much work to add 12 inches. Measured myself and almost passed out. I only needed to add 3 inches and that was for ease. So yes, I'm using the pattern.
- I hate cutting out interfacing. I don't know why but it's right up there with cutting out fabric. Not a favorite.
- My coworker showed me a cartoon from Reddit about a man using his wife sewing shears. She innocently asked me if I had two pairs of scissors, too? I laughed so hard and told her basically yes. But in actuality I probably own 10 pairs of scissors that I use for various functions. She was shocked. I had to use my painter & paintbrushes/paints analogy for her to get it.
- I'm sewing so I've been buying more fabric. Why is that? It's not like I don't have PLENTY of raw materials to use already! But fabric's siren song has been calling to me and I've been answering.
- I'm finally taking my time. Yes, I need some new pieces BUT I really want to enjoy this sewing journey. I'm making samples. I'm not forcing myself to sew. If I want to, good. If I'm not feeling it, that's fine too. I don't want to scare my sewjo away.. I like having that part of myself back.
- I'm concerned about how the tariffs are going to affect sewists abilities to purchase items we need to sew. So much is made overseas or in Mexico. Shop after shop were issuing tariff updates and it worries me because how will new sewists get the materials they need. Or even someone who is sewing because it's cheaper than purchasing new. Not all sewists shop at Walmart & Target.
- Even after a trip to Lancaster, PA where everything is cheaper than in the metropolitan area where I live, the prices have gone up. Buttons that I purchased in bags of a dozen use to be 98 cents are now $1.39 or higher.
- Which brings me to my sewing spaces. Because I turned my loft into sewing storage, I realized after I visited it the other day, that I own a lot of everything. Trim, zippers, bias bindings, elastics, thread, zippers, patterns...I've collected them all. Yes, they are nicely stored away but there is a lot of it.
- I want to make a couple vests for fall. I've gathered a variety of patterns and comprised a list of fabrics I want to use. This should be fun. I've made several vests over the years, and a couple are still in my wardrobe.
- I also want to make lounge wear for this fall/winter. I get cold very easily, and even though I dislike wearing pants at home, I want to make some lounge wear with oversized tops and wide leg pants. I have plenty of patterns and just added some cozy wear fabric to the collection after a recent trip to Lancaster, PA.
We're coming into that time of the year where we can just stay inside and chill. I'm looking forward to the upcoming months because I'm sewing again and I have time off from work that I can use to create. While I don't need much, I do want some new things, and to spread my creative wings so I'm going to sew.
I am taking it back to a lot of what I've previously made, reusing patterns that have already been fitted with some fabric from the collection and some new pieces. Not many new patterns interest me these days. Either I already own something like it or it doesn't fit my lifestyle now. All that to say, I'm not sewing a lot of trends. I want this to be a season of using what I have especially since I've spent decades accumulating it!
As we approach Thanksgiving week, I'm off for most of the week and will be creating, so hopefully more to share with you soon! To everyone who celebrates this holiday, I hope you have a wonderful time with friends & family, eat a lot of good food, and enjoy this time.
...as always more later!
I hear you on the body image challenges. I was put on medication for diabetes that had the side effect of losing a considerable amount of weight but even after 18 months I still don't fully trust the weight isn't coming back. Recently I finally cleaned out my closet of things that were too large and made note of my new size in patterns but it still feels "not right".
ReplyDeleteSame. That's how I lost weight also. It's been a little over a year for me and even though the weight has stayed off and I've change my eating habits, I stored all of my larger sizes rather than give them away. Cause who knows right? And every new piece I cut out, I double check the sizing because it just feels too small!
DeleteI laughed and laughed about the scissors; and the paintbrush analogy. I have cheap paper cutting scissors stashed all over the house. The family KNOWS not to touch my Kai scissors. And I used to fuss at the spouse for using MY paintbrushes until he started to take detail painting seriously himself. Now he's protective about HIS paintbrushes. Still haven't stopped him from borrowing the Stanley tape measure out of my tool bag but I have them stashed all over the house as well so I simply go get another one. Enjoy your sew-cation. I'm looking forward to see what you make and congratulations on the weight loss.
ReplyDeleteMany of us have endured body and/or lifestyle changes in the past few years. It's very hard indeed to essentially be a beginner again. Good for you getting back in the saddle and tackling all that!
ReplyDeleteThat's it exactly I'm a beginner again with some advanced sewing techniques instilled in me.
DeleteWhen it comes to scissors, if DH or DS says anything, all I have to do is ask how many screwdrivers and wrenches are in their tool boxes. I'm betting almost every hobby (or job) has it's own set of specialty tools that make no sense to those not in those hobbies or jobs.
ReplyDeleteTariffs - ugh. It's not only the price increases, it's the fact that some things are no longer on the shelf at any price. Often we can't order from businesses in other countries because they don't have the resources to deal with the current shipping and customs mess.
Stashes - it's sad when it's easier and faster to buy new (if you can) than root through it all to find what you know is in there...somewhere.
Couple thoughts back atcha: Fons and Porter used to finish their show sitting at a table, sharing tips. One bent over to pick something up, and the other started laughing—it was a pair of scissors with a padlock through the handles! Also, in reply to the tape measure comment: I got one in a beautiful purple case. 😙
ReplyDeleteLounge wear: I just brought forth a favorite dress I mostly wear at home. It is a fairly hefty plain knit, fairly long, and a “mock turtleneck”. It is surprisingly warm, and the only accommodation I need to make is to cover my ankles/lower calfs (calves?), which can be accomplished with wooly socks.
It's lovely to read this post and that you have rediscovered your sewjo. I can't imagine that you make any mistakes, your sewing has always been stunning. I love it when you sew piping into your work. I wish I had your attention to detail. I relate to so many insights you express. Sigh, tariffs. And inflation, I don't think I would take up sewing now-a-days if I didn't have a similar stash situation. I'm really grateful for the stash I have, both fabric and notions. One would think that I should have enough clothes to wear but bodies are always changing and now-a-days, I'm need clothes that can accommodate a brace or two. I also would like to sew a vest. I am kicking myself for letting OOP Butterick 6067 go, I wish I kept the pattern after I made it. Another one would be nice. Most of all, I'm looking forward to seeing what you're sewing. Enjoy the journey and Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteI need some vests, so I will check out your previous posts on how you made them
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving, Carolyn!
ReplyDelete