Why Do I Write these Weekly Messages?

October 4, 2024

So this probably should have come when I first started writing these back in 2012, and certainly I probably should have this on my blog and one might appear there later.  But I had a good friend ask me why I devote so much time to writing these messages once a week, and what do I get out of it?

This time of year I always become a little introspective, so pardon my gently turning inward.  This little video describes this time of year beautifully.  

There's obviously the connection with "like kind" that I love.  Those who sew are my kind of people - period.  And those who sew clothes, we have a special kinship before we even say "Hello!"  Why is this?  What is there about sewing that connects so quickly.  When I see someone and I find out that they sew clothes, it's like - "You're my best friend and we've just been looking for each other so we can share all our knowledge and travails and successes with each other!"  

I'm not sure what that answer is, other than I find that most people who sew - even quilters - are lovely people.  They have a down-to-Earth nature and are open and friendly.  Maybe it's because we all have so many sewing stories to share with each other.  Maybe it's because we all share a common skill and have all had the same problems and similar solutions.  

Part of what makes we write these notes every week is that we all have this in common, and I feel a kinship toward all of you because of that common-ness.  And the level of our skill or expertise, doesn't even seem to enter into it.  Whether you're tackling a knit top or a tailored jacket, there's a similarity in our point of view, that makes it easy for me to write these weekly emails.  

There's something else going on here too.  When Joseph Campbell talks about the hero's journey, he talks about it with the idea that each person on this planet will determine his own journey.  It can be a variety of journeys, but the hero (the individual) can pick their own path.  

I can literally plot out each step here from the Call to the Return.  Looking back, each step was scary as hell, but because I loved what I was doing, I got lost in the joy of the work.  I had no idea that I was accomplishing anything except that I loved what I was doing, and bringing joy to the client who was right in front of me at the moment.  The major "REVELATION" came when a sewing pal of mine and I went to Chicago to take a course from Kenneth King.  I sat in class thinking, yes, this is the way I would solve this problem, or yes, this is exactly how I would make this look.  I would look at his book and think, how creative, and how much fun to make the time to be this creative.  I learned one big thing from the class - that I knew a lot more than I thought I did.  I did not consider myself the caliber of teacher that he was at that time.  But I knew a lot, and I left Chicago feeling a lot better about my business and what I could offer.  

Don't get me wrong,  Kenneth is a fantastic teacher and if you ever have the chance to learn from him, it's a sheer joy.  He loves his craft as much as I love mine, and the big thing I learned is that when you are sewing you are constantly learning and when you realize you can learn, the world opens up for you!  Today I feel confident teaching because of what I learned in that class - never - ever stop learning or wanting to learn.  Challenge yourself and you can make a huge impact on your own life as well as those around you.  

The other message I learned is that the joy of doing something you love as well as something noble, can make your life more meaningful that you can possibly imagine.

We humans are the only species on this planet that knows we're going to die.  That's a pretty heavy load to carry, especially since there's no one here to tell us how that's going to happen.  It's so scary that some people can't handle it and check out - with drugs, alcohol, society and a myriad of other ways.  But how do those folks deal with it who are happy and even worse, seem to find every day a good day - well, maybe not everyday, but most of them.  Jordan Peterson describes this in his book "Twelve Rules for Life."  He says that the more nobler the aim, the better you feel about life.

I'm here to tell you that is totally true cause some of my most favorite garments are the real challenges.  From the mom who had a double mastectomy before her son's wedding, to the deb who had scoliosis so badly that one breast stuck out and the other had twisted in.  I made both of these people feel not only special but that the evening was made for them alone and there was nothing that could take their good mood away.  The mother of the son getting married sent me too many photos of her huge smile (fortunately I photos of her in the dress before the wedding so I actually have good photos of the dress) and the deb's mother was running around all night saying that she had never been like this and that it was a miracle.  

The darling deb on the left was all smiles and looked fabulous in her dress, while the mom on the right had her glorious dress, WITH hidden zipper in the back (where is the zipper  - it's a secret!)

I didn't take on either dress for accolades but really more for the challenge.  How could I make this darling girl feel special even though her body was far from perfect?  How could I make this mom feel like a million bucks, but not be focused on her mastectomy which everyone knew she had?  

There were other great stories, like the mother of the bride at the wedding where her hubby had just remarried a young gal who had more plastic than a kid's toy, and she wasn't feeling all that sexy or pretty.  I did a backless dress that flattered her figure, which was very cute, and she felt like she was the bell of the ball.  Gorgeously modest for the service, and then took off her shawl and here was this drop-dead practically backless dress.  The other was a mom typical of running carpool, getting meals on the table, working another job and no time for exercise, so she was a little on the plump side, but wanted to look good for her daughter's wedding.  I did a gorgeous 4-ply silk crepe tunic top that went over matching slim pants that had an elastic waist, so that every time she sat it was like an "Aaaaah," moment.  When she stook the tunic was long and flowing enough that it skimmed her body to make her look very trim.  

But by far, teaching has given me the most rewards.  When you enter your seventh decade on this planet, I began to be possessed with passing on the knowledge I have. This becomes paramount so that even if students don't ask, I feel I need to somehow get it down what I know and what's key to know and what isn't.  Students may not be ready for that always, but when they are, it needs to be there.  

The instruction I teach the most is that clothes can fit, be flattering and comfortable all at the same time.  The RTW industry is excellent for a quick garment here and there, but the truth is that nothing really fits, it's inherently uncomfortable and moderately flattering.  The biggest  comment I get is that at the finishing of the garment, the clients are shocked that it fits and feels so good.  It's shocking to me that they are shocked - when you have a custom-made garment, we should expect that.  

The whole idea of passing on my knowledge and experience and passion, does fill my ambition for a noble cause.  Although it might not be as noble as some other causes, it suits me.  Making the average-shaped person feel good about themselves, is very rewarding.  

And like the rest of us, someday I will die, but today I don't think about that, because I'm busy trying to figure out how to shape a tee shirt, or work on a new ponte tailored jacket, or think about what I need for fall and what fabulous garment can I make up with the stack of googies staring me in the face.  

All I need is my idea book and narrow it down to just a few selections.

Maybe this is the joy and fun and pleasure that we all enjoy and what bonds us together.  We all know the huge satisfaction and enjoyment from seeing something was nothing other than a couple of electrical synapses in our brain turn into something functional, fun, fitted and flattering.

I never tire of working on a new look or variation for my core patterns.  I never tire of passing on  my knowledge and inspiration.  I never tire of working toward a simple or complex goal, achieving it and then enjoying that achievement every time I wear the garment.  

I feel blessed and cherish each day I get to have fun in my studio dreaming up new ideas and teaching new students to have fun with their sewing and accomplish something way beyond their goals or dreams!  Now, really --who wouldn't love this?

So with that said, look for the first of the year to have more things show up in the library.  I've taken a bit of a sabbatical as other things were/are happening in my life.  Nothing bad, just things I needed to deal with.  They aren't totally finished, but enough that I can come back to this sewing family and have fun inspiring and passing on my passion.  

The SewingArtistry Resource Library is designed to contain information to not only make your sewing better, but to aid in you fitting and flattering your shape, size and style.  Check it out. 

Look for future classes coming in 2024
The Core Pattern Shirt, (one of my favorites for woven core pattern that you can make into a myriad of different garments), 
Basic Knit Top (core pattern class for knit basic tops, shells, tees, dresses, and tunics)
 

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