Ok I just made that word up – Sewtivation. Normally, in the sewing world, the terms is sewjo, as in mojo but I think this one is more apt.
Now I am normally not the most prolific sewer nor the fastest but the last 3 years have seen me sew up 2 things, three if you count my costume for my work’s Christmas party this year and that was just adjusting a skirt waistband and sewing up an extremely simple mesh top (4 seams).
I am not sure why I have lost my motivation; could be that I work from home so noone sees what I wear except my husband, I live in a town where there are no real options to dress up or maybe that fitting things is hard that the joy is sucked out of my projects.
I am guessing that it is all of the above, but fitting is probably the main reason. Fitting clothes is really, really hard. Especially when you are on your own. You can’t see behind you very well, you twist things out of alignment when you try and look at things yourself. Oh I have ways of seeing things such as taking photos but it still isn’t the same as having someone with you.
The other thing that gets me unstuck and not just with my sewing, is perfectionism. Now I am not a perfectionist by any means, but I don’t like not being able to do something right or not having something looking right. I think it stems from not being really good at anything and this fear I have; fear of what I don’t know – it is hard to explain.
But it is a fear I need to get over because it stops me from doing a lot of things and can be quite crippling.
I know that I am the only one who will know that something isn’t “perfect” or “done right” so why do I care so much and why do I let it get to me?
I am hoping to break out of this fear in 2025 and really, really focus on my sewing and finally get some clothes in my wardrobe. I keep saying that I will make a capsule wardrobe and do nothing about it. But I am going to try and make a conscientious and earnest effort this time round. I don’t need a lot of clothes, just a few that will go with each other so it really shouldn’t be too hard.
Have the courage to be imperfect
Alfred Fidler
I am looking at a couple of dresses and skirts, some tops and jackets. I might even have a go at making my own jeans. I also want to pull out my coverstitch that cost me a bomb and use it! Sew my own Tshirts and maybe some for hubbie. I want to get into sewing with knit fabric – another fear!
So today I printed out a pattern for a dress, bought some fabric – which I didn’t need to as I discovered afterwards that I was looking at the wrong view and that I actually did have enough with a couple of different pieces in my stash. Oh well.
I will make it first out of some of the fabric I already have – stuff I am not really mad on so it can be a house dress.
I also want to sit down and put some ideas down and try and put a “wardrobe” together; I do have some ideas and will share them soon.
‘Till then.
Stephanie xx