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October 15, 2021
Creating through Adversity
This is the title of a wonderful podcast on the Thread's site here. Diane has been to hell and back and her newsletter is full of optimism, joy, discovery, and looking deeper into sewing. She's always been an innovator and I've longed to take her Taos class, as I've always enjoyed that part of the country.
There's a simplicity and basic-ness to the High Mountain Desert ecosystem that is beautiful in it's simplicity but very dangerous if you aren't careful. There's a little bit of bravura when I take my canvases out in the mountains and paint in that part of the world.
We all have adversity in our lives (or else we're lying to ourselves) and I remember one of the worst times was when I had been taking care of my parents for a year, then they died within six months of each other. Shortly after that my husband walked out and started a two-year, intensive and difficult battle to wear me down so that I would walk away from a 30/yr marriage with nothing. It was a frightening daily experience with new lies being thrown in my direction, to see
what would stick, but left for me to answer. It was entirely a mental game, but how does a person endure that?
For me, I used the energy in the fear to channel it into something I love doing -- sewing. That made such a difference for me. Listening to Diane talk about her year with Covid, and then on top of that being given 10 minutes to collect what she needed and get out to run away from a fire heading toward her home and studio, and how that helped her set her priorities really straight. Today she creates not simply for the sake of creating but now mostly what she needs.
That happens to us as we get older and it's a natural response.
Crises and catastrophes are a duel-edge sword that can serve or sever our perspective of life. They can turn us into bitter, angry persons or give us enlightened focus on what is really important for your life. Getting there takes a lot of strength and wherewithal. And using our creativity and creative activities to keep us balanced and focused while in the middle of the turmoil can be the very thing that tips us to a more levelheaded and wise view of the world and your
life.
When we are engaged in problem-solving, whether that's fitting issues, assembly questions or style dilemmas, our brain is completely engaged in that process. This engagement takes up most of our brain and attention from the hour-to-hour/minute-to-minute worrying of the crisis to the point that we can actually look at the crisis from a completely different point of view. It's almost as if you were reading a book and thinking, "Gee this is what this character
should be doing," or "Wow, wonder if this character sees it from this point of view.?" This simple perspective suddenly makes the fear, dread and horror of the crisis seem more negotiable and manageable.
Additionally, once you are out of the crisis, it makes you look sage, wise beyond your years and grounded in such a way that projects the best side and part of you. I can tell you from personal experience that my street creds were elevated to a place that I didn't think possible after I survived my toughest time. I came across fair, balanced, strength of an unparalleled degree and most of all respected and admired. My businesses have profited and flourished as
well. This is so natural in the creative process and what makes it so addictive. That addiction is a good one because it can lead us to being productive, but also more aware of who we are, and what makes us "tick".
One caveat, like any addiction, when it consumes us, it no longer becomes beneficial. Using our creativity as a means of not dealing with the world around us is never good. This becomes like an addiction to alcohol, drugs or other forms addictive behavior.
However, using it to escape in a healthy way, enough away from our troubles or crisis, so that we can look at it clearly and figure out not only what's going on, but retain some logical and clear thinking that is often the first thing we humans forget. This is called the fog of war. In the first
onslaught of a crisis, the first thing that we humans seem to forget are logical thoughts like:
1. Things change, this will pass
2. Pain, hurt, crisis are not permanent
3. How do you want to see yourself after this crisis? ...balanced? ...caring toward yourself and others? ...logical? ...dependable?
4. After all is said and done do you want to live a life of love or bitterness? ...joy or hate? ...warmth or icy? ...aware or ignorant?
How many times have you seen a friend or acquaintance go through a tough time and come out not only worse, but filled with so much negative, that they can't make room for the joy, satisfaction, fulfillment and happiness that life can offer? Leaning on your creativity while in that crisis, can not only be a huge avenue into navigating through a crisis, but can put you on the other end in a much better state of mind than before the crisis.
It's wonderful to listen to Diane talk about what she has taken away after her horrible year of crisis. Although what she's learned for herself may not be what will work for you, it's remarkable to hear her voice again in pursuit of her happiness, joy and satisfaction in such a positive way that it can't help but inspire us.
Makes you feel sorry for those folks who don't have a wonderful creative endeavor like sewing to lean on!
This is the quintessential toolbox for the wannabe designer, and you don't even have to draw to use them. All you have to do is trace. That may sound just a little too far-fetched, but believe me, not all designers can draw, and most of them do not sew. So you are one up on most designers.
This package includes a lot:
Elements & Principles of Design w/Color
Proportion (Divine and Rule of Thirds) and Apex Point Fitting
and something new:
 Sketching - taking the idea to sketch, to pattern to garment and yes, you can do that. It's not that hard. There are a lot of steps, but this is the final part of the whole package of creating something especially for yourself.
You know all those pictures on Pinterest or pinned in your studio or on your bathroom mirror?...those ones you know you would look smashing in if...1.) you could find the right pattern, 2.) you might be able to find it in RTW, but to fit you would be a problem or 3.) you've always wanted to create a look or certain collar or fabulous sleeve or some other detail and never knew how. Here's how to do that.
This does require that you have your core pattern up and running. That's what the whole pattern will be based on and it is what makes all this work so well. Whereas commercial pattern makers and designers have to go through 5 to 8 iterations to get it right, with your core pattern, we already know it works, and what we're doing is copying that to make the style you want.
If you already have only one of the above, then you have the opportunity here to bring your toolbox up to date by acquiring the only what you need at a discounted price. The Sketching Resource is the only one that's new that no one has before this month.
At the same time if you want the whole kit and caboodle, it's at an even greater discount than normal. Here's everything with the whole kit and caboodle at the bottom!
Enjoy!
Elements & Principles of Design with Color Primer - This is what art and design students learn in art school. The only difference between them and you is that they have the time to play around with them. But we can do the same, albeit a little less time.
Fitting with Proportion and Figure-Flattering Tools
(This one comes in two parts)
Sketching - From Idea to Garment
The Design Toolbox - All Three Resources above in one download at a terrific price.
Once this special is over, the Sketching will go into both the Proportion and Elements & Principles (it's already in the Toolbox), at regular pricing.
On the Blog
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