Are You Mentally Ready to Sew?

Our mental mindset when getting ready to sew is VERY, VERY important. 

This may sound so incredibly obvious yet up until a few years ago, it was not that obvious to me.  

I approached every project the same and would often get very, very frustrated and, as a result, make mistakes.  Afterwords, I wouldn't even want to start another project because of so many frustrating failures and the feeling that “EVERYTHING IS TAKING SOOO LOOOONNGG AND NOT WORKING OUT!"

Here’s how this translates into practice:

You have two projects 1) a two-piece knit top versus 2) lined tailored trousers. 

Each of these are approached differently with respect to what it involves:

• How much time will it require?
• What level of sewing skills are needed?
• How perfect must the fit be for me to look and feel confident? 
• How many pieces parts? (19 pattern pieces - are you kidding me???)
• Interfacing? Interlining? Underlining? Lining?
• Machine(s)? Thread? Do I have to re-thread the serger?

I know I can head to my studio to make a simple two-piece knit top and likely start and finish in one evening. 

For example: Kwik Sew 3740

My  mentalapproach for the knit top is clearly not the same  as that for a pair of lined, tailored trousers.  Here is my epitome of classic, tailored trousers!  And don't we all envision Hepburn when we wear ours??? (okay, at least the ladies???)

Prior to starting a more-involved project, I must adjust my mental approach (aka attack mode):

1)      I must leave this mental mindset outside the studio “I’m going to the studio to sew and get this done”

2)      I must break the project into small tasks where each task is its own attainable ‘project’

  

More involved projects with multiple pieces and elements can be draining, especially if one is not yet as practiced with all the individual elements of that project. Using the lined tailored trousers one must be able to  insert trouser pockets (possibly welts), insert a trouser fly, make belt loops, make and attach a waistband, attach a lining,  etc. Each one of those elements could add considerable time if not well versed in it.

Who hasn’t spent the time making the elaborate project only to find that it didn’t fit – maybe not even at all! I’ve made too many completely unwearable projects - not just a poor fit but not even wearable – and all because of haste and the wrong mental approach. My biggest error (especially with trousers or jeans) is to rush past fitting.

Here is what separates the difference in mental attitude – TAKE THE TIME TO PROPERLY FIT!!!  For example, a noted expert, author, and educator on the subject states “expect to make 3 to 6 fitting muslins to fit trousers.” Yes -  THREE. TO. SIX. 

If a trouser pattern (or any pattern for that matter) fits you straight out of the envelope or only requires minor tweaks consider yourself very lucky.  You have a shape that is more in-line with industry standard measurements and very few people do.

Mentally say to yourself “my next project is going to be to get my fill-in-the-blank pattern fitted. I realize this may take 3 or more revisions to get it right but the results will be well worth it.” 

(Side Commentary regarding Wearable Muslin versus Muslin Made from Muslin: unless the fitting is already fine-tuned or you know you generally do not need to make many adjustments go with the Muslin Made from Muslin (or similar lightweight cotton) and TAKE THE TIME TO GET IT TO FIT RIGHT. A Wearable Muslin is a garment made in fashion fabric similar to the end-result project fabric. If the fit comes out reasonable, it may actually be worn in public unlike that of muslin.)

How to prevent long drawn-out projects from becoming cumbersome? Balance more involved projects with simple ones.  This helps me to keep my sewing attitude and approach fresh. Sometimes I even take a break during a very involved project or one that requires a large amount of hand-sewing to make something quick.  (Of course some of those breaks are much longer than others and measured in years not days/weeks.)

Sew.........Are you ready???