Do both to survive the Sewing slump!!
I remember sewing classes in year 10 at school..talk about a slow sew. 10 weeks to make a skirt. Ugggg! I was over that skirt before I finished it!!
Technique is so important when you are learning to sew. How to buy a pattern, fabric, zip and cotton. There is a need to know these techniques..That's true.
Some people are faster learners than others. Some people can't wait to get that garment off the machine and onto their body. There is nothing worse than finishing a summer skirt just in time for Winter. It's just plain cruel. I think I did one year of sewing at school. In some ways I'm sure the activity was made to last the whole term. Busy work. I can smell "busy work" a mile off. I don't want to fill in my time. I want to make and create and wear what I make, while I am still in love with it. I am a microwave person who was born at a time when slow was the go!
How to balance my impatience with the more complicated patterns I want to make...Make a few quick patterns inbetween. This gives you a well needed boost of energy. It's called "sewing mojo."
Wearing a memade garment that you just whipped up is a real rush....And it's legal! When the Fabric is Fabulous and the outfit design is simple, a Fast Sew is on the table. The Fabric does all the work. You get to wear it after a short time at the Sewing machine. You are "A Sewing Magician!" You have pulled the rabbit out of the hat. People are wondering how you did it. This kind of sewing is addictive. I know all about it... because I am addicted to this kind of Sewing. I can't live without this rush. I am passionate about Fabric and can see it's potential. This is what makes my heart sing. I can do many other things but this is my calling.
If you are in a Sewing Slump maybe what you are making is way too time consuming for the amount of time you have! Why not go to your Fabric collection and find some Fabric you still love and make something that will boost your "sewing mojo" KPI's (Key Performance Indicators)?!
Work out what your KPI's are first!
KPI Suggestions:
- You want to feel great and look great in what you make
- You want to look interesting
- You want clothes that express who you are
- You want to feel younger..But not like a teenager
- You want to look classy
- You want your clothes to bring focus on your good features and away from anything else
- You want to feel confident and be visibile
- You want people to take you seriously
- Etc
A few Extraordinary patterns that surpassed my expectations: Burda 6773, Vogue 8780, Vogue 9022, Vogue 1228, Burda 7313
Merits of slow sewing:
- Exquisite attention to detail
- A Classic that endure for years
- A project that grows your skills
- Work of art
Minus:
- You might not love your new piece, even though you did everything right it ended up wrong
- Slow to build your wardrobe
- Might slow your discovery of your Style Recipe
Fast :
- Time invested - not too much
- You have more fresh garments to choose from
- You wear it while you still love it
- The rush of wearing something you've just made is Fabulous
- Your using your Fabric collection
- You feel confident and connected to who you are
- If it doesn't work out (and the Fabric cost didn't break the bank), you get back on that horse faster...another sewing project - Experiencing a failure is part of the Sewing journey. That's how you learn!
Discermment Let's not go beserk about fast or slow sewing..make what you love and wear it. The reason behind the slow or fast sewing is an important consideration. If you have a working wardrobe that you wear on a regular basis, and want a creative outlet, then slow sewing might suit you. However if you need a new wardrobe fast and have a large Fabric collection, then there is no judgement on you...Make it and wear it. You need to feel great in what you wear. It just makes life a lot easier. If you want to keep your wardrobe up to date or seasonal or if you are addicted to Fabric and you just love Sewing...the only way to manage your Fabric stash is to make it into clothes F.A.S.T!
However continually purchasing fabric that never gets made fast or slow is like buying food for the pantry and not cooking . Money, time and storage wastage. Now that is something we can do something about!
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