I’m back!
I’ve been struggling this year to motivate myself to sew. I think I had a touch of the winter blues after new year and there were lots of occasions that required my time, money and attention, such as birthdays and parties etc, as well as a few unexpected bouts of illness for both me and the children, which completely threw out my normal routines. I stopped sewing around mid-February and haven’t made anything blog-worthy since.
Another thing that reduced my desire to sew was that I felt like I had undergone a complete change in personal style since my daughter started school in September. I used to wear dresses EVERY SINGLE DAY. If you saw me in trousers, it was bound to be a sign that I was having a really bad day. But since September I have bought five pairs of skinny jeans. I think because they are practical to tuck into boots and walk to and from school twice a day. I never even liked skinny jeans. In fact I hated them. But suddenly I’m buying them. And I like them. But I’m not going to sew them. So what’s the point of sewing?
Then the ‘I haven’t been sewing’ thing grew in my mind, to the point where I’d find myself with the opportunity to sew, with absolutely no impediment whatsoever, except the fact that I hadn’t been sewing recently made me feel somehow worried about starting again. It sounds strange, and I haven’t adequately put into words how I felt, but I guess you’ll get the idea. There were times I’d sit on the sofa thinking about how I could be sewing, even how I should be sewing, but instead wasting time faffing about on my phone, achieving nothing.
After Easter, once my eldest child had gone back to school, I decided to try and get back on track. I returned to eating more healthily and running, and I planned on getting back into sewing, too, because the weather is getting warmer and I don’t need to rely on my ‘Mum Uniform’ of skinny jeans tucked into boots with a parka. I still have a Francoise dress to make for White Tree Fabrics, but I wanted to alter it a bit after being unhappy with my first two attempts. I tried out some adjustments and made a toile, and it wasn’t right, so I made further adjustments and made another toile, and that one was even worse!!! Not a great way to motivate oneself! I felt like I’d put the effort in and completely wasted my time. Normally, I could take this in my stride, but at the moment it just resulted in demotivating me further.
Hey ho. A week ago, I had the pleasure of attending a sewing meet up in Leeds, with a small bunch of ladies who I’m getting to know a bit better, and although I wasn’t planning on spending any money, I returned with a few exciting purchases and some goodies which I totally just grabbed in the swap! I donated a skirt length of 100% Welsh wool, with matching lining and zipper – Simona was the one who ended up taking that home. I got some thick stripy jersey from Ruth and the Sewaholic Thurlow pattern from Not Sew Simple. The trip made me feel enthusiastic and excited about sewing again, it was just what I needed! Many thanks to Craft Alchemy for organising the trip – it did me a power of good.
This week, I had my Minerva deadline looming, so I had to buck my ideas up. I temporarily put aside the Francoise and concentrated on making my Minerva project (which I’ll be blogging on Tuesday). I got that done quickly and easily, and made a Coco top with the fabric from Ruth as well. Two completed projects in one day?! I must be getting back on track!
So…hopefully you’ll be seeing a bit more of me from now on. I’ve got lots of ideas about things I want to make, it’s just a case of getting down to it. And getting that darn Francoise dress done and dusted!
Coco!
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Oh come on keep going with the sewing now you’ve started – you’re so good at it!! Your Coco looks pretty damn perfect!
Thanks Beth! I do have some good projects lined up 🙂
Totally feeling this post lovely! I’ve just picked up again this week and i’m trying to tell myself its ok to do that. Sewing enhances your life. It isn’t all your life! I’m so happy that you’ve come back online and its nice to see you enjoying it again x
Thank you Stevie. I did try to keep in mind that sewing is a hobby rather than an obligation, and I knew that I’d come back to it when the time was right. It totally is fine to take a break!
I think we all go through this at some time or other. A few really quick and easy projects usually shifts my sewing inertia. You’ll be back 😉
I will. I probably just got sewing fatigue after five years of intensive sewing. And sewing in the winter is definitely a lot less fun. But now it’s spring and I can make impractical but pretty dresses again, hurray!
I know what you mean – I have been a bit slowed down recently – I want to use some new patterns and I need to work out fit issues on all of them and it is hard to be enthusiastic about that stage where nothing is produced (maybe I will just make soem more t-shirts..). Hope you get on better with the Thurlows than I did – hoping I will have some finished Ultimate Trousers soon!
Louise
It’s also as if the more you sew, the harder it gets because you’re always trying to work out fitting issues! Looking forward to seeing your Ultimate trousers when they’re done.
I find sewing in the winter harder too, partly because I wear trousers nearly all winter and I don’t enjoy making them. And sometimes I find if I’ve worked hard on lots of projects in quick succession I get a bit burned out and need a break. Nothing wrong with that, as others have said, sewing is a hobby not an obligation. Glad to see you back!
Glad to hear I’m not the only one! Thanks Sam.
Welcome back! I’ve found myself slowing down a lot this year too – I even went the whole of the Easter Bank Holiday without making anything. I used to feel a bit guilty about not having anything to blog about each week then realised, it’s my blog! I can do what I like! It’s just as exciting to see your projects whether it’s once a week or once a month 🙂
Thank you Louise! You’re right, it’s silly putting pressure on ourselves!
Lovely to ‘see’ you! Take it in your stride, life happens, priorities change and so does style! I’ve cut all my hair off, as in most of my head is now trimmed using clippers and a grade 3 comb!! And the sewing machine is still waiting to be organised as I’m trying to work out what it is I want to wear (lets not go into the post baby body morph…). Anyhow, lovely to catch up, and no pressure from here!