Voice of Reason

I have been evaluating my reasons for doggedly returning to sewing time and time again and have come to a few conclusions which I would like to share.

1. I love clothing. It's no secret and there would be nothing more empowering than to be able to create the images that I see every night when I close my eyes. Some people fantasize about money, power, prestige; I fantasize about the perfect outfit for any & every occasion.
2. It is a skill. To be able to to put an outfit together is not. Not everyone who has an eye for fashion can sew and those who can sew beautifully do not always have an eye. I want both. I have never questioned my own taste in fabric, silhouette, style and color because they have never failed me. It is time to take my eye for fashion to another level; a level achieved by few.
3. Business. Fashion is my business and how can I truly understand the product without first understanding the construction. It is a simple concept but a difficult journey to understanding.


For this blog.
I spend a great deal of time perusing other sewing blogs; ogling over their amazing images all neatly arranged in the most artistic way. What I realize now is that without the skill, the artistic photographs mean nothing. I hope to one day have artsy little images accompanying all of my posts, and a large number of followers encouraging and complimenting my work. Until then, this is simply a log of my journey to single-handedly reteach myself the basics. One day I will look back from beginning to end and marvel at how far I've come. Today I look back at where I was when I created this blog - Self satisfied, Inspired, Ambitious and Naive. Forcing something that had not yet had the time (or the effort taken) to come into fruition. I wanted the artsy pictures, and the followers - assuming that it was all within reach. Yet somewhere in the back of my mind I knew that it was not to be. I am confident in a lot of things but not my actual ability to sew...how odd.
But what better way to begin a journey than with literally nothing but the intent - no the promise - to learn everything.
There will be mistakes, frustrations, set-backs and failures. This is for no one but myself and the lone seamstress who dreams in vibrant fabrics and wishes for the skill or the time or the money or the patience to make her vision a reality.

ReIntroduction

This blog is undergoing a much needed makeover as are my sewing habits.

It seems that no matter how frustrated I get with my sewing projects, after weeks/months/years of neglect I always return to the sewing machine with renewed determination. So, right on schedule, here I am with a new promise that I will not bite off more than I can chew with the first project and that I WILL make a muslin.
Admittedly I am a reckless and impatient seamstress who is frequently overly ambitious with fabric-choice and pattern difficulty. I do not follow the instructions, I cut corners and usually end up with a garment ill-fitted and unwearable. It has taken me years to admit this.
The fact that I always return to it gives me hope that I can relearn everything I thought I knew about sewing and truly teach myself to be the seamstress that I want to (and know I can) be.

So here are my self-imposed rules to sewing. I will follow these rules to the letter because I know that they will serve me well if I stick with them (this time).

1. Begin as a Beginner. I will use beginner patterns & beginner fabrics. No exceptions.
2. Read the Instructions. I will open the pattern instructions and follow them. I will not be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help in deciphering them.
3. Make a Muslin. There is no time-limit and I will make a muslin and fit it. Yes. I will. Practice makes Perfect.
4. Iron, Clip, Baste, Interface. I will not sacrifice the ironing, clipping, basting or interfacing process in the interest of time or impatience.
5. Sew with Precision. If it's not right, take it out and re-do it. No, it won't be fine if I just trudge along.


This post has been an honest assessment of my sewing skills. It has taken me a long time to admit that I am both out of practice and really, was never very good to begin with. I will not be overwhelmed by the sewing machine and it's seemingly endless number of little issues that inevitably do me in. I will not be afraid of the pattern instructions and I will take my time.

Starting one week from today, I begin my re-introduction to sewing. For once I have all the time in the world to become a member of the sewing-class and I think I am ready.

My first endeavor is a pair of tie-waisted pajama pants (Simplicity Learn To Sew #2290). In the past I would skip straight to silk (which of course is the goal via Cavalli's Palm Silk Pants) but the new, more humble me, will begin with a simple easy to sew cotton as a muslin and go from there.