stripy suit
August 6th, 2014
I started sewing clothes for my kids 6 years ago. These pants are actually the first thing I ever made! Part of me is very proud at how far I’ve come. That up there is a by god homemade swimsuit! But then another part of me is disappointed with my sloth-like pace.
If I had know it would take 6 years to become a confident sewer, would I have started? And really I’m only a confident sewer when it comes to making children’s clothes. Quilts, zippers, and especially grown up garments still scare the shit out of me.
At the same time I was starting to sew kids clothes, I was starting to sew my own. Those drawstring pjs in the post with my first handmade kid pants? I still wear them (and they continue to be like “drawstring bags for your legs and about that flattering”). Right around that time I made this dress and it still hangs, unhemmed, in my studio. I learn slowly. And more to the point I gain confidence slowly.
The newness of an unknown skill is scary. The vulnerability you feel in the face of failure is unsettling. The courage to overcome your self-doubt is difficult to find. The strength seemingly comes out of nowhere for others. And fast. I take tiny steps towards new skills, new materials, new ideas.
I feel like I have to live up to the frenetic pace of the internet. NEW THINGS ALL THE TIME! OR AT LEAST NEWISH THINGS SLIGHTLY RE-HASHED! ALL THE DAMN TIME! But I can’t. I don’t have a pattern coming out, or a fabric line, or a mash-up pattern collective/fabric line. I am learning how to sew one thing at time.
pattern: cosi swimsuit by sew pony // fabric: blue and white stripes from Spandex World
Hello
Was this a bought pattern? If so, I would love to know where I can purchase it? Cheers & happy making
yup! It’s the cozy swimsuit pattern by sewpony: http://sewponyvintage.bigcartel.com/product/the-cosi-swimsuit
Omg, I love your blog so much! I’m reading this… Feeling. Every. Word. I relate 100% and I don’t I even sew! I do love fabrics though. I’m an illustrator (who’s not even illustrating lately) and fantasizing about patterns I will create one day. I’m discovering new skills with pottery and made some pretty neat creations but it’s a slow process too. I feel confident with my cooking but I can’t seem to get at it and actually share with pictures. When I do, I write too long. So it drags and drags and someone else ends up posting about a similar idea and I give up. I avoided blogs lately for that particular reason. It’s silly really. It’s not a race or competition. Yet I end up feeling the pressure. Mostly for the wrong reasons.
Thank you so much for the refreshing and honest post. Please continue. That bathing suit is super. Keep inspiring please! :)
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