I HATE IT! - Sewing Projects Don't Always Work Out and Accepting That Is Part of the Process
My current stash (this is about 2/3 of my fabric, and most of my notions are in the boxes up top)
We moved to Scotland nine months ago, and it took me over a month to even unpack my sewing machine from its special suitcase. Then I just moved it around the apartment for several weeks without using it. I didn’t like my sewing room, the living room seemed like a weird place for it…. maybe the kitchen would work? But then I had to move it off the table for every meal. It took me time to settle in.
We moved to Scotland in January; I sewed these PJs in March.
The first thing I sewed here was pajamas (and come to think of it, I wrote up a blog post about them, but never hit publish - I’ll do that soon). They are sweet jams, I wear them regularly. As I began to feel more comfortable in my new surroundings, I continued to move the sewing machine around, and finally settled on the living room after all. I do all other sewing related activities in my sewing room, but actual sewing occurs in the big bay window of our living room, where the light is really good.
One of the many cotton lawn dresses I’ve sewn since our move (there’s a blog post for this one!)
At first, almost by magic, I was on a roll! I was creating dresses and blouses, and they materialised just as I had imagined! As is the case for many sewers, dresses are an easy hit for me - I know how to get them to fit, I find the process soothing, and the results wearable. I was gaining confidence, so I made overalls, a quilted jacket, more pajamas! But then, as time passed….something began to go wrong.
I sewed (or knit!) all the clothes in these images, except the black jeans and striped sweater, while living in Glasgow this year. Click any image to expand it.
Moving to another city, another country, another CLIMATE, (I’m not even going to bother with the impact of the pandemic, or my mental health struggles) has forced my style to change, almost against my will. Is it sunny in Glasgow? Maybe it is right now, but don’t be fooled, you’re probably going to get rained on. Maybe not a downpour, but there will be water in the air. And for that reason, you’re gonna need practical shoes (Doc Martens are a popular choice for a reason) not to mention the cobblestones and muddy lanes, or maybe you want to cut through one of the many gorgeous, grassy parks. In New York, you can wear anything. An evening gown? Stilettos? Monday morning? Whatever. It gets cold in the winter, but for much of the year, you can get away with an array of impractical sartorial choices.
And so, as my block heeled suede slides have grown dusty, so too have my sewing plans turned on me. I have made 2 pairs of pants that are very well made (one pair blue jeans, one corduroy), that I will literally never wear because the styles don’t suit me. I’ve produced several dresses that I find to be hideous (no fault of the patterns, either. It’s all me). I have begun to do this thing where I start an intricate project, and half way through, begin picking it apart and re-making it, to the point of total sabotage. I am currently making a coat out of this fabric and I HATE it. WHAT IS GOING ON?!
A selection of my blouses, which I love to make and wear! These were all sewn in New York.
I still want to sew. I love planning projects. But it is not working out for me. Sewing is a life long skill - you can learn as a child and never, for your entire life, run out of techniques to explore and improve. There is a steep learning curve, because when you are a beginner, your skill level prevents you from making what you actually dream of wearing. But then it begins to come together as your skill level and imagination meet up. I have the skills, but this is another bump in the lifetime ride - redefining style. I am trying to push through, and to accept my own disappointments along the way, without getting discouraged or giving up.
Here are some possible solutions for myself:
• Sew non-apparel items, or items not for myself (a quilt, bags, Christmas gifts)
• Sew a TNT dress that I know will be successful (lol jk I’ve tried that and it has not worked)
• Sew some knits because I usually don’t and they are often an easy win (and I have a few nice ones in my stash)
• Stop sewing for a while (unlikely, I enjoy it too much)
And then additionally, I need to go shopping more. I go window shopping a couple times a month, but I need to start trying things on (most shops in Scotland do not currently have fitting rooms due to Covid restrictions, which is an annoyance. I won’t buy anything without trying it on first.). Trying on RTW is a faster way to figure out my new wardrobe needs than the trial and error, but I I might have to wait longer for it to be possible again.
Ultimately, I know this phase will pass. I am hereby giving myself permission to put the current project (swirly printed coat) out of sight and out of mind. I can go through my stack of wadders and repurpose the fabric or pass them on to someone else, but they have to leave the sewing room now. I’m going to more closely examine my wardrobe - what I love to wear, what colors and patterns work together - and base my next projects around those preferences. Time to get to work! XO, Martha