My sewing machines have been cranking as of late, to the point where I haven’t had a chance to photograph a good chunk of the garments I made – this was pretty evident towards the end of Me Made May this year, when I posted a recap and couldn’t link to any of the finished garment posts. The above photo is the damage I did over the last few weeks to fill up my fabric stash since all of that sewing depleted a lot of what I owned – which is a good thing! I feel guilty sometimes when I buy fabric with the intent of a project and it ends up sitting in my stash for a looooong time. I stocked up for summer/early fall sewing in NYC a few weeks ago: lace, silk, cottons, stretch cottons, pontes, linens; all fabrics that fit in my color palette and will be purposed into pants, blazers, tops, and dresses. Garments that fit my style and wardrobe.
But with all of the sewing I’ve been doing, to the point where I quantify how many garments I want to make in a week or weekend, I came to a realization: this isn’t how sewing is supposed to be. Sewing is supposed to be fun, relaxing, and enjoyable. It’s about the process. And I’m not the only one who feels that way, Madalynne wrote some posts on what she’s dubbed “fast sewing.” I couldn’t agree more – I think a lot of us are caught up in fast sewing.
And then I started to understand why I’ve been turned off by blogging and sewing lately.
I’ve been seeing the same patterns, same blog tours, same sew-a-longs across a majority of the blogs I read – nothing really new, or original. As much as I want to “ride the wave” and participate with every new pattern that comes out or organized sew-a-long, it’s not the right thing for me to do. I realized I need to stay true to myself and pick projects that work for my personal style and lifestyle – that’s what The Wardrobe Architect was all about, right? I think there’s sometimes a pressure we sewing bloggers put on ourselves to be current with the latest and greatest pattern launch, to keep up with what the popular sewing blogs are doing, but at the pace that sewing patterns are coming out from great indie designers, it just isn’t possible, for me at least, to do it in a way that’s enjoyable.
So with all of this, I’m distancing myself from the “go go go” pace I’ve been feeling lately when I’m reading my favorite blogs, seeing everyone participating in the same thing, and thinking to myself that I’m behind and need to “get going” on making “xyz”. As much as I tried to crank out several new garments a month to show you guys, or jump on the bandwagon to make the latest and greatest pattern, I burned myself out and haven’t sat down at my machine for three weeks now. Heck, I even cut out a skirt that’s ready to sew, and I have no desire right now to start sewing.
Instead, I’m taking the time to work on some other things that have fallen a bit by the wayside – I started a new sweater, been running outside and lifting weights on a regular basis, and relaxing more on the weekend instead of pressuring myself to make and finish an entire garment in two days. I’ll come back to sewing soon, and it’s going to take me a while to get through my new collection of fabric, but I’m ok with that. I’ll enjoy the process.
I usually feel like a party-pooper when it comes to joining sew-a-longs. I can't say I've ever actually been a part of one as it was going on. (I'm about to join the #SewSundress one that is starting up, but that's only because the only rule is "make a sleeveless dress for summer" – something I already had plans to do.)
Don't feel bad about doing your own thing and at your own pace! I find myself sewing fast for work all the time (because that's what my job usually requires), so I enjoy the slower pace when I sew for myself.
Do I spy some lovely peach pique fabric at the top of that stash picture? I love pique! Can't wait to see what you make!
Yeah, I'm with you on this!
I reached exactly the same conclusion during me-made-may! I don't want a huge closet full of clothes I don't get the time to wear so I want to be much more selective about the projects I work on and take the time to develop more techniques.
I find the whole notion of "fast sewing" really hard to handle – but for the opposite reasons that you! I LOVE the process of whipping up fast simple projects, and they all get worn… so I'm a fast-sewing fan! I really struggled with Maddie's post about being anti-fast sewing, because either I don't understand what she's attacking, or she's inadvertently attacking sewists like me. (Which clearly was not her goal, nor yours!) I didn't comment on her post because I couldn't figure out how not to sound defensive and hurt. Reading your post helped me understand it all little better as a step away from sewing pressures to sew in the way that feels right for you. I absolutely support that! We've all got different sources of joy from this hobby of ours, and it's a whole lot more fulfulling when you are working in the way that's right for you! I hope your new process makes you happy and inspired! : )
Totally agree with ya on this. I don't think there's anything wrong with fast sewing as long as you're *enjoying* it and making use of what's being made. I'm not sewing quickly because I'm trying to keep up with anything or anyone; it's just how I work! I'm just fast! Even then, I still rarely crank out a garment in two days – more like the entire week, a little time each day. I definitely wear the stuff I make, and I don't even blog every piece.
I completely understand being burnt out with trying to keep up and wanting to take a break! I've been dealing with that myself, at least in the sense of realizing I don't have to say yes to every single person who asks me to participate in something 🙂 Any hobby you do for pleasure should be that – enjoyable. If you're not enjoying it, something needs to change.
I think you need to figure out what works for you and sew at your pace. Blog tours, book tours, sew-alongs are great but you should do what works for you as a sewist. So if you're a fast sewist and that makes your creative wheels turn, then sew fast. If you like involved projects and want to take your time, then please do so! The thing about our community is that it's diverse and our diversity should be celebrated! So ladies do your thing and don't feel pressured to be or do anything else!
I don't think I've ever followed the pack in sewing since I started blogging. I mean I'm still working with fabric and projects I planned three or four years ago. I just work at my own pace, which resembles that of a snail! The few patterns i've made that are popular i buy only because they fit my aesthetic and work with my overall plans too. My thought is only buy and make patterns that you love and can't NOT buy.
I can relate to what you are saying, there has been so much out there to join or do or see. It is overload but a good overload in a way, more people sewing, creating patterns, fabric sites, etc. On the sewalongs, I don't tend to join and the ones I do I have learned somethings.. Mainly it has to be a garment that is my style and something I will wear. In the summer I sew in little bursts, according to the weather. Rainy and cool means lots of sewing, warm and beautiful means not much sewing. Thanks for the post and enjoy sewing up that beautiful stack of fabric.
I don't buy a lot of indies so I'm rarely motivated to crank out a bunch of "what's hot/trending now" garments.
I'm a FAST sewer in the sense that I still want to make a ton of stuff to fill wardrobe holes and I have a TON of fabric.
So my current motivation is to make pants, tops and jackets/cardigans for work. Make some summer clothes (which we aren't having much of a summer!). Make a few dresses that will work for date night and try to fit in some sewing for my teen daughter in between.
But it's what makes me happy!!! So if the fast life 🙂 isn't making you happy then you're right, it's time to take a breath and then reassess.
it's funny, although i'm involved in some blog tours/etc, which of course are intended to get the word out and generate love for the tour subject…. the ones that i'm not involved in don't usually influence me to make the pattern/buy the book, unless i really like it for myself. but it definitely wasn't always that way, if something looked great on the general sewing population i thought that meant a definite win on my bod! it's all learning and tasting and trying, i guess.
but i will say this: your fabric stash makes me want to buy fabric. that's the kind of peer pressure i ALWAYS fall prey to! fabric on blogs, must haz all the fabric!!
I feel the same way as Oona. I'll occasionally participate in a sewalong if it fits what I already want to do (like Brooke's example above!) but the ones I don't join don't really influence my plans. Wardrobe Architect? Totally not for me. I enjoyed some of the posts I read about it the internet over, but it never would have influenced me to take part because that type of wardrobe planning and deep thinking about a hobby isn't fun for me.
As Lauren and Gillian said above, I enjoy fast sewing sometimes. I like to go back and forth between the easy and the difficult. It's all about what works for you personally!
Also, are those polka dots I spy? Looking forward to seeing what you make after you've taken a break and refreshed yourself. 🙂
Hmmmm…here is my take. Do what works for you. There ought not be any rules,shoulds,should nots,judging, or guilt tripping in how people pursue hobbies. They are meant to enrich your life. I firmly believe that people need outlets in life that keep them present, fulfilled, inspired, fill in the blank.
I couldn't agree more. I never participate in anything and sew whatever I want at whatever pace I want. I don't establish any sewing rules or obligations for myself – it's my hobby, after all! Of course this means that I'm never on the same sewing track as everyone else, but does it really matter? Who cares! Just do what makes you happy, and remind yourself that your real life (and the people in it) are more important than whatever's going on on the internet. 🙂
holy shiitake, this it totally where I'm at. too funny. that and I'm at that place where I'm skilled enough that I'm not learning from many blogs that I read…they're stuck on the teaching beginners loop, which is great, but does nothing for me. hence, getting to your blog from lladybird/lauren…that's more my pace. I pump out clothes at whatever pace and for whatever purpose I'm in the mood for now, and take photos for me, post even more rarely. I also haven't quit my day job… lol 🙂
It's so nice to know that other bloggers feel the same way, and you're not alone 🙂 Even looking at sewing books on Amazon – so many are for newbs.