Sew all the things?

I think I have made rather a lot of things over the last 2 years. Sewing is a hobby that I really, really love. There is great enjoyment in choosing fabric, pairing it with the right pattern and then turning these flat pieces of fabric into a garment that looks good and fits well.

There is a bit of smugness in knowing that what you’re wearing is unique, that it really is not on the High street. Even if you happen to make the most popular garment in the sewing world,  I’m looking at you Ogden, Indigo and Zadie, to name but a few, you can still make it absolutely yours with your fabric choice, or with a hack here or there.

Sewing for yourself is also a massive boost in the feel good factor as you get to know your body and get comfortable with a tape measure. As someone who has struggled for years to accept my body and has found buying ready to wear clothes more of a chore than a joy, it’s great that I can make things which are just my size. You also get to know your style, and what shapes and silhouettes work for you. Ah, it is a beautiful, liberating and uplifting thing to be a maker!

All that being said, there can be a lot of pressure in the sewing world to make all the things and that can take away some of the joy of making. We can put that pressure on ourselves, turning our nose up when we see the poor quality or high cost of something in the shops- “I can make that myself ” we say. Other times it’s as we scroll through Instagram and see the volume of garments some makers are churning out or feel we have no new content to put on our feed and then that pressure to “make something now!” looms large.

We come into sewing for different reasons. Mine were financial, for pleasure and for my own development. So as I’m making, I like to reflect on these reasons so that I don’t get sucked into the murky depths of having to have a new make or two every week. Taking a bit of time to think after I’ve made something is for me, a healthy part of my making. Taking stock of what I have, what I need and what I would like, and checking that my drive to sew something is not coming from an unhelpful place, either externally or internally is so helpful.

In my head I’m devising two or three blog posts under this “Sew all the things” title. In this the first, I shall be thinking of some things I haven’t sewn yet, and some that I have no intention of sewing! Do you have to make *all* the things? Of course not.

I have enjoyed developing my skills in the making of all kinds of garments from t-shirts to jeans. I’ve inserted invisible zips and exposed zips, I’ve hammered in snaps and jeans buttons and attached buckles. I love making dresses for every day and special days. Shirt making has been surprisingly fun for me, collars and placket towers have been wonderfully pleasing to conquer.

But there are a few things which I haven’t made and would quite like to. On my sewing table presently is The Kelly Anorak by ClosetCore patterns. I am not yet excited to be making this but I know I soon will be.  This one falls into the ‘for my own development’ category, it will be a challenge. I want to line it and there are so many pieces to contend with. Last April on one of those sunshine and showers days, I left my raincoat on the bus, I think. Since then, my frugal self has been wearing a cast off from daughter #1, which is a tad small and not my colour. I’m hoping to have a bright coral replacement by October.

Another thing I’d like to make one day is a tailored, lined blazer, and I’m feeling lured by the Jasika blazer, again by Closet Core Patterns and the Francine jacket by Sew Over It. That might be something special  that the 50 year old me (no longer such a long way off) might sew for my self- in a tweed.

And now I move towards the things I do not intend to make for myself. First off, and sitting on the fence a bit is a swimming costume. Whilst I  think it would be lovely to make a gorgeous vintage swimsuit in a fabric of my choice and that, hopefully fits well, I’m not sure I can be bothered to manoeuvre that slippy, stretchy fabric and manipulate it into a bathing suit. The same goes for activewear. Yes, I’m tired of my running trousers slipping down my waist and needing to oik them up every few strides, but I’m not sure that a me made pair would fair any better.

And then there’s underwear to which I say “really?” I get that there are people who are consciously trying not to buy any clothing and to be totally me made, and I salute them. For me, smalls are just a step too far. Maybe it’s because I love to show off my makes and I know for sure that I won’t be parading in my undies on social media any time soon! Each to each.

What about you? Are you all for a head to toe me made wardrobe or are there some things you just don’t want to make for yourself? The thing is wherever you fall on this there should be freedom, don’t be forced or guilt tripped. Resist the old fear of missing out. We laugh at FOMO but it can be a  real joy stealer. Remember your reasons for why you got into sewing in the first place and check in on those regularly.