Taking the Time…

Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Sewing Small


While I was in Paris shopping up a fabric storm, I had a lot time to think about what I was sewing, what I was blogging and what motivated me to keep posting on here years after I began.
I’ve always been someone who sewed for the end result, not the learning process in between.  I think that this has something to do with the fact that I picked sewing back up when I started the blog as something to post about other than outfit posts  - I found after a few years that they just really weren’t all that interesting to me anymore, my tastes in blogging and what I was reading in the blogosphere had changed (though I do still like to do them from time to time, it’s always nice to show off a pretty vintage dress!).
Sewing for the end result gave me something to post about and so I zoomed through my projects quickly, not necessarily taking the time to make sure they were well constructed, fit well and were comfortable, so that I could take photos and blog about them as quickly as possible.
While I was away in Paris, I joined the Craftsy course on Couture sewing (David was away for a week at a conference and I needed some English speaking entertainment to fill in my night times!) and I got all inspired by the slow process of couture sewing. Learning to make a proper muslin, fitting it, making changes as you went, hand sewing zips, basting the fabric together, making under linings etc. It was all so new and exciting and slow - something I really hadn’t been doing at all!   

I hadn’t been enjoying the process of sewing like I should have been, I hadn’t been taking the time to acquire new sewing skills because I was so bent up on having a finished garment to post about that I actually stopped enjoying sewing all together! And speaking of not enjoying it, I hadn’t actually been finishing any of my planned projects either because I just felt so much pressure from myself to get them finished solely to put them up on the blog.
I’ve come to realise that I can actually post about the process of making a garment, it doesn’t have to be just about the end result, it can also be about the learning bits in between too.
And so I’ve come back to this blog with fresh eyes and a new focus. I’m taking my time with the construction of my garments, and while that may mean I won’t have much in the way of finished garments to post about for some time in between, it does mean that I’ll hopefully learn new skills that I can pass onto you here and hopefully inspire you to slow down a little too and take the time to enjoy the journey…

xx
Jen
8 comments on "Taking the Time…"
  1. That's fab Jen - I'd love to see the process that goes into making garments. I always find sewing scary, and by that, I see people 'just whip something up' and it seems kind of like a magic trick. So I'd love to see some of the techniques you're learning and using.

    And yes, catch up must happen. Did you see my dessert dinner invite on FB?

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  2. It's only natural that our blog change along with our tastes and priorities. Like you, I'm often all about the end project as it gives me something to blog about. But I'm also trying to think about construction and techniques more, in order to produce quality items and focus less on quantity. Thanks for posting this, I really look forward to your upcoming posts!

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  3. I'm in the same boat, Jen! Not being able to sew hardly at all for the last year made me really appreciate it! Now I'm taking the Craftsy class so hone my skills and get ready for making my wedding dress... good excuse, huh!

    Caro xx

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  4. Welcome back, I look forward to seeing where you new direction takes you.

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  5. Sounds great - looking forward to reading! :)

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  6. I just stumbled onto your blog via We Sew Retro. I'm one of the those rare guys who sews for himself. I totally hear where you're coming from on this blog post. There is a huge amount of satisfaction that comes from slowing down and focusing on the quality of the things we make. Your pink skirt is a good example. The belt loops are spot on! I look forward to following your blog.

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  7. I think i have been experiencing the same feelings and your post is very well written. I always enjoy seeing photos of the process as there is always something new to learn.

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