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Love to Sew
By Helen Wilkinson & Caroline Somos, Caroline Somos & Helen Wilkinson : Sewing Enthusiasts and Indie Sewing EntrepreneursBusinessArtsLeisureFashion & BeautyHobbies
Love to Sew episodes
- Episode 15: Capsule Wardrobe ChallengeWe take on a ten-day capsule wardrobe challenge and tell you how it went, what we learned, and what we would do differently next time. Lee Vosburgh’s 10 x 10 Challenge helped us to reflect on our current lifestyle and wardrobe needs. We walk away feeling motivated to approach our sewing plans thoughtfully and realistically.
- #BPSewvember
- Country and city sewing hashtags:
Caroline and I met after connecting on instagram and realizing we live in the same city! Meeting up in real life with fellow sewists can be so much fun. If you want to find fellow sewists in your city, state, province, or country, try using these location hashtags! Tell us your hashtags in the comments! We hope you join us . . #canadasews #bcsews #vancouversews #lovetosewpodcast #welovetosew
A post shared by Love to Sew (@lovetosew.podcast) on Nov 8, 2017 at 9:24am PST
- One Week One Pattern:
- The Curated Closet by Anuschka Rees
- The 10 x 10 Challenge was created by Lee Vosburgh from the fashion blog, Style Bee
- Marie Kondo
- Wardrobe Architect by Colette Patterns
- Helen’s Capsule Wardrobe
- Caroline’s Capsule Wardrobe consists of these ten items:
- Tessuti Mandy Boat Tee hack (Kelli did a tutorial on her blog for this!) in bamboo & cotton french terry
- Deer & Doe Plantain Tee in linen & poly knit
- Plaid button-down (ready-to-wear)
- Grey sweater (ready-to-wear)
- True Bias Lander Pants in non-stretch cone mills denim
- Jeans (ready-to-wear)
- Grainline Tamarack Jacket in cotton denim shirting / plaid shirting combo
- Sewaholic Robson Coat in cotton twill
- Floral sneakers
- Suede oxfords
- Patterns we mention in this episode:
- Helen’s Closet Winslow Culottes and Blackwood Cardigan
- True Bias Lander Pants and Hudson Pants
- Tessuti Mandy Boat Tee
- Helen’s Wednesday Weekly with inspiration for wearing dresses over pants
- Randomly Happy Maker Capsule Wardrobe series
Follow Helen! Blog: Helen’s Closet, Instagram: @helens__closetFollow Caroline! Shop: Blackbird Fabrics, Instagram: @blackbirdfabricsFollow the Podcast! Instagram: @lovetosew.podcast, Twitter: @lovetosewpod, Facebook: /LovetoSewPodLeave us a voicemail with your questions, comments, and feedback: 1-844-SEW-WHAT (1-844-739-9428)E-mail us: [email protected]Sign up for our newsletter to get weekly episode updates, special news, and even some exclusive content that you won’t find anywhere else.Leave us a review! It will help other sewists discover us.http://traffic.libsyn.com/lovetosew/LTS15.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
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49 min - Episode 14: Inside Camp Workroom Social 2017
We go to Camp Workroom Social and chat with our fellow campers about what this sewing weekend means to them. We both found camp to be such a magical, accepting, and heart-opening experience and we really wanted to share that feeling with the sewing community. Get an inside look at this amazing weekend and hopefully we will see you at camp next year!
- Amy Nicole Studio
- Are you an upholder, obliger, rebel, or questioner? Take Gretchen Rubin’s Quiz!
Jennifer Wiese, Camp Director“Camp is my most favorite thing EVER!”
Jennifer is a designer who believes that every woman can live a joyful, creative, and confident life. At her Brooklyn-based studio, Workroom Social, she helps women find their joy, creativity, and confidence by empowering them to create clothes they want to wear. She teaches sewists methods that make clothing construction easy and produce beautiful results that look store-bought, not homemade. Jennifer is a summer camp counselor for life and the recipient of the “Spirit of Wewa” award at YMCA Camp Wewa in Apopka, FL, her childhood sleepaway camp. It’s a dream of hers to create Camp Workroom Social, an excuse for adults to sew, make friends, and act like a kid again if only for the weekend.
- Workroom Social
- Miramar
- Camp Workroom Social Newsletter
- Camp Sasamat in Vancouver
- Camp Intensives 2017
- Camp Staff:
- Brooks Ann Camper (hand-sewing instructor)
- Fleur Hoare of Maison Fleur Patterns (swimsuit instructor)
- We Gather – Whitney Crutchfield teaches dyeing workshops in Brooklyn NY
- Flash Mob:
- Work Shelter
- Aurora Birch (Emily Moran’s Music)
- Our canoeing group:
- Helen doing Archery:
- Raptor Center:
“We all break needles, and we all sew things on backwards, and we all forget things, and we all mess up…and that’s life.We all do it. You are not alone.”-Jennifer WieseFollow Workroom Social! Website: Camp Workroom Social Instagram: @workroomsocialFollow Helen! Blog: Helen’s Closet, Instagram: @helens__closetFollow Caroline! Shop: Blackbird Fabrics, Instagram: @blackbirdfabricsFollow the Podcast! Instagram: @lovetosew.podcast, Twitter: @lovetosewpod, Facebook: /LovetoSewPodLeave us a voicemail with your questions, comments, and feedback: 1-844-SEW-WHAT (1-844-739-9428)E-mail us: [email protected]Sign up for our newsletter to get weekly episode updates, special news, and even some exclusive content that you won’t find anywhere else.Leave us a review! It will help other sewists discover us.http://traffic.libsyn.com/lovetosew/LTS14.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
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1 hr 39 min - Episode 13: BPSewvember with Amanda Adams
Amanda Adams chats with us about her photo a day challenge, #bpsewvember, and shares her passion for bringing the sewing community together. Amanda has a playful approach to sewing and we are in love with her outlook on this creative practice.
- Amanda is the blogger behind Bimble and Pimble
- Bimble and Pimble is named after Amanda’s two dogs Button T. Wuzzle Esq (Bimble) and Popsicle O’Snuffle (Pimble).
- Gertie’s New Blog for Better Sewing
- Coverpro 2000CPX
- Craftsy Coverstitch Course
- Meetup
- Frocktails
- #bpsewvember
If you haven’t heard of #bpSewvember before it is a month long photo a day challenge running throughout November. Sewing is often seen as a solitary pastime so this is a great way to make connections with other awesome sewing peeps from all round the world! You can participate as much or as little as you like – feel free to post 1 or 5 or all the photos – whatever is going to be most enjoyable for you! #bpSewvember is all about having fun, meeting new peeps and having a sticky beak into sewing rooms across the world.
- This year’s prompts:
Just over a week until #bpSewvember A massive thank you to everyone who suggested themes – this is such a fun list! As always, there is no pressure to complete all the prompts – add photos for the ones that work best for you! Looking forward to meeting everyone on November 1st! Edit: more info on #bpSewvember on le blog. Link in profile
A post shared by amanda adams (@bimbleandpimble) on Oct 24, 2017 at 7:03pm PDT
- Ogden Cami
- Amanda’s Belladone Dress
- Deer and Doe
- Vogue
- Burda Style
- Plantain Tee by Deer and Doe
- Iris Shorts by Colette
- Beignet Skirt by Colette
- Tessuti Fabrics
- Melbourne Frocktails
- Katie from Katie makes a dress
- Renee from Miss Celie’s Pants
Follow Amanda! Blog: Bimble & Pimble Instagram: @bimbleandpimbleFollow Helen! Blog: Helen’s Closet, Instagram: @helens__closetFollow Caroline! Shop: Blackbird Fabrics, Instagram: @blackbirdfabricsFollow the Podcast! Instagram: @lovetosew.podcast, Twitter: @lovetosewpod, Facebook: /LovetoSewPodLeave us a voicemail with your questions, comments, and feedback: 1-844-SEW-WHAT (1-844-739-9428)E-mail us: [email protected]Sign up for our newsletter to get weekly episode updates, special news, and even some exclusive content that you won’t find anywhere else.Leave us a review! It will help other sewists discover us.http://traffic.libsyn.com/lovetosew/LTS13.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
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1 hr 6 min - Episode 12: You Don’t Have to Sew Everything
This week we are tackling feelings of guilt around NOT sewing all the things and how we can give ourselves grace in our sewing practice. You don’t have to make everything by hand and we can be extra hard on ourselves sometimes for shopping or not making time to sew. We chat about how life is busy and sewing is meant to be a relaxing, creative practice, let’s try to keep it that way!
- TNT Sewcialists month
- Amanda from Bimble + Pimble hosts #BPSewvember next month
- Stretch Velvet from Blackbird Fabrics
- Velvet inspiration:
- Lori’s t-shirt
- Erica’s velvet pants
- Helen’s Kennedy dress
- Heather’s Frankie dress
- Gillian’s Ultraviolet Tee
- Jasika’s Velvet dress
- Sara’s boho dress
- Beth’s Catarina Dress
- DIY thread catcher
seam·stressˈsēmstris/noun: seamstress; plural noun: seamstressesa woman who sews, especially one who earns her living by sewing.Sewist: a relatively new term, combining the words “sew” and “artist”, to describe someone who creates sewn works of art, which can include clothing or other items made with sewn elements.- Threads Magazine’s article on the word ‘sewist’
- Hudson Pants
- Linden Sweatshirt
- Tessuti Lois Dress
- Sallieoh’s Lois Dress
- Happier Podcast – The Four Tendencies (we are both obligers)
Follow Helen! Blog: Helen’s Closet, Instagram: @helens__closetFollow Caroline! Shop: Blackbird Fabrics, Instagram: @blackbirdfabricsFollow the Podcast! Instagram: @lovetosew.podcast, Twitter: @lovetosewpod, Facebook: /LovetoSewPodLeave us a voicemail with your questions, comments, and feedback: 1-844-SEW-WHAT (1-844-739-9428)E-mail us: [email protected]Sign up for our newsletter to get weekly episode updates, special news, and even some exclusive content that you won’t find anywhere else.Leave us a review! It will help other sewists discover us.http://traffic.libsyn.com/lovetosew/LTS12.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
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43 min - Episode 11: The Sewcialists with Gillian Whitcombe
Gillian Whitcombe chats with us about The Sewcialists, and her blog Crafting a Rainbow. We discuss her experience running an online community and the compelling Sewcialists blog series, Who We Are. Gillian also has some great advice about taking better blog photos and defining personal style.
- The Sewcialists blog, Instagram: @sewcialists
- Crafting a Rainbow, Instagram: @gilliancrafts
- Curvy Sewing Collective
- Gillian’s posts on the Cali Fabrics blog
- Me-Made-May
- Colette Sorbetto
- Did You Make That blog
- The Sew Weekly (this blog is not active but they have a new instagram account!)
- Sewcialist.org (plus check out the firehose blog aggregator)
- Tribute Month: Marcie from Oonabaloona
- Tribute Month: Meg from Cookin’ and Craftin’
- Tribute Month: More Marcie!
- The Sewcialists Tribute Month
- November is TNT Month on the Sewcialists!
- Gillian’s TNTs: Hey June Santa Fe Top, Closet Case Patterns Ginger Jeans, Cashmerette Concord T-shirt, Cake Espresso Leggings, Closet Case Patterns Ebony Top, Helen’s Closet Blackwood Cardigan
- The Sewcialists Who We Are series
- Gillian’s Who I Am post
- Chalk and Notch Farrah Blouse & Dress
- Helen’s Wednesday Weekly
- Better Pictures Project
- The Sewcialists blog, Instagram: @sewcialists
Follow Gillian! Blog: Crafting a Rainbow, Instagram: @gilliancraftsFollow Helen! Blog: Helen’s Closet, Instagram: @helens__closetFollow Caroline! Shop: Blackbird Fabrics, Instagram: @blackbirdfabricsFollow the Podcast! Instagram: @lovetosew.podcast, Twitter: @lovetosewpod, Facebook: /LovetoSewPodLeave us a voicemail with your questions, comments, and feedback: 1-844-SEW-WHAT (1-844-739-9428)E-mail us: [email protected]Sign up for our newsletter to get weekly episode updates, special news, and even some exclusive content that you won’t find anywhere else.Leave us a review! It will help other sewists discover us.http://traffic.libsyn.com/lovetosew/LTS11.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
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59 min - Episode 10: A Very Special Q&A Episode
In our first Very Special Episode, we’re answering your questions. We chat about fabric, fitting solo, favourite tools, TNT patterns, sewing machines, and much more. We also reflect on podcasting for ten episodes, and how we make it work with our full-time jobs!
- New sweater knits at Blackbird Fabrics
- Helen’s Flannel Underlined Hampton Jean Jacket
- Caroline’s denim Lander Pants:
The #landerpant and #roscoeblouse are a match made in heaven. These are my new landers in non stretch cone denim from @threadbarefabrics – I did a regular front fly for this version and I’m totally in love! @truebias #threadbarefabrics #landerpants #sewing #handmadefashion #imakemyownclothes #indiesewingpattern
A post shared by Caroline Somos (@carolinesomos) on Sep 28, 2017 at 12:24pm PDT
- Caroline’s Saltspring camisole hack on the Sewaholic blog
- Helen’s knit Southport Dress
- The Colette Guide to Sewing Knits
- Helen’s polyester crepe By Hand London Flora Dress
- Polyester Crepes at Blackbird Fabrics
- Caroline’s class on Skillshare: The Beginner’s Guide to Fashion Fabrics (here’s a link for 2 free months of premium membership)
- Fabric Weight and Conversions via the Fashion Incubator
- Relaxed fit trouser patterns, perfect for the Tencel Twill: Named Alexandria Trousers, Megan Nielsen Flint Pants
- Fitting Solo Craftsy class
- Pattern ideas for a meter of fabric: Grainline Willow Tank, True Bias Ogden Cami, Blueprints for Sewing Saltbox
- Favourite tools:
- Rotary cutter, self-healing cutting mat, lined ruler
- Buttonhole cutter, fray check
- Tailor’s clapper
- Bernina 530
- Juki MO654DE
- Helen’s three patterns: Helen’s Closet Blackwood Cardigan, True Bias Lander Pant & Short, True Bias Southport Dress
- Caroline’s three patterns: Closet Case Patterns Ginger Jeans, True Bias Roscoe Blouse & Dress, Tessuti Mandy Boat Tee
- Caroline’s rapid-fire faves: Megan Nielsen Virginia Leggings, True Bias Hudson Pant, Deer & Doe Plantain T-Shirt, Grainline Studio Penny Raglan Tee
- Helen’s rapid-fire faves: Grainline Alder Shirtdress, Grainline Archer Shirt, Cloth Habit Watson Bikini, Grainline Lark Tee, True Bias Ogden Cami
- Plus size patterns for a fitting class:
- Deer & Doe Belladone Dress
- Cashmerette Upton Dress
- “How Do You Find the Time To Sew So Much?” via Lladybird
Follow Helen! Blog: Helen’s Closet, Instagram: @helens__closetFollow Caroline! Shop: Blackbird Fabrics, Instagram: @blackbirdfabricsFollow the Podcast! Instagram: @lovetosew.podcast, Twitter: @lovetosewpod, Facebook: /LovetoSewPodLeave us a voicemail with your questions, comments, and feedback: 1-844-SEW-WHAT (1-844-739-9428)E-mail us: [email protected]Sign up for our newsletter to get weekly episode updates, special news, and even some exclusive content that you won’t find anywhere else.Leave us a review! It will help other sewists discover us.http://traffic.libsyn.com/lovetosew/LTS10.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
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1 hr 8 min - Episode 9: The Refashioners with Portia Lawrie
Portia Lawrie joins us to chat about the Refashioners 2017 and all that goes into organizing this fantastic community challenge. Learn how you can participate and get tips on refashioning and shopping for unloved garments. Portia encourages us to get creative, overcome sewing fear, and just go for it!
- Portia’s Refashioners 2017 project
- Pfaff UK’s new Creative Icon machine
- @elisalex
- Helen’s denim Refashioners 2016 dress
- Sewaholic Thurlow trousers
- Heather Lou’s refashion last year
- Heather Lou’s refashion this year
- The blogs Portia discovered first:
- Megan Nielsen
- Elegant Musings
- Closet Case Patterns
- Sewaholic
- Makery (Portia’s Blog)
- Refashioning classes/workshops at New Craft House
- Simply Sewing magazine
- Sew Now magazine
- Sewing World magazine
- Potia’s Shedquarters Set-up
- Shedquarters
- Malm drawers (IKEA)
- Billy bookcases (IKEA)
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Wendy Ward’s Beginners guide to sewing skirts
- Portia’s blog post about teaching ladies to sew using Wendy Ward’s book
- The Great British Sewing Bee
- The Refashioners 2017 prize package
- How to enter the Refashioners 2017 – #therefashioners2017 #suitsyou
- Previous refashions
- #sewphotohop
- Portia’s Refashioners Pinterest boards: Get Shirty, Jeanius, Suits You
- Oxfam discount code: Refashioners2017
Follow Portia! Blog: Makery, Instagram: @portialawrieFollow Helen! Blog: Helen’s Closet, Instagram: @helens__closetFollow Caroline! Shop: Blackbird Fabrics, Instagram: @blackbirdfabricsFollow the Podcast! Instagram: @lovetosew.podcast, Twitter: @lovetosewpod, Facebook: /LovetoSewPodLeave us a voicemail with your questions, comments, and feedback: 1-844-SEW-WHAT (1-844-739-9428)E-mail us: [email protected]Sign up for our newsletter to get weekly episode updates, special news, and even some exclusive content that you won’t find anywhere else.Leave us a review! It will help other sewists discover us.http://traffic.libsyn.com/lovetosew/LTS9.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
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1 hr 10 min - Episode 8: Achieving Big Goals with Kelli WardKelli Ward of True Bias chats with us about her rebrand, her move to paper patterns, and reveals an exciting collaboration that she’s been working on! Over the past few years, she has balanced motherhood, school, and her growing business. Kelli’s approach of leaning slowly into her goals proves that big things can happen one day at a time.
- FIT Certificate Program
- MC Hammer Pants:
via GIPHY
- Check out Kelli’s new product photos! It was her first time behind the camera for her online shop.
- Kelli’s new pattern: The Lander Pant & Short
- Caroline’s tester version of the Lander Pant
- Kelli’s new paper patterns, available for pre-order: Lander Pant & Short, Hudson Pant, Roscoe Blouse & Dress, Lodo Dress
- Aspen Vincent – @littlegreenorchids
- Oliver + S Sewing Patterns
- Ginger Jeans by Closet Case Patterns
- Fancy Tiger Crafts
- Straight Stitch Designs
- Anima Pant by Papercut Patterns
- We’re so inspired by Elisalex‘s embroidery!
Embroidery class at @newcrafthouse tomorrow! Who’s coming? It’s going to be another glorious day and I can’t think of many places I’d rather be than stitching up a storm in Hannah and Rosie’s breezy east London studio
A post shared by Elisalex • By Hand London (@elisalex) on May 26, 2017 at 1:32am PDT
- Denver sewists: Allie Olson – Indiesew, Adriana – Hey June Handmade, Erin – Sewbon
- Kelli’s first fabric collaboration in 2016 with My Fabric Designs
- Miramar Fabrics, the first rayon collection from Workroom Social
- Trello
- Cora app
- Kelli is inspired by: Oonaballoona, Ada Spragg, Sallie Oh
Follow Kelli! Shop: True Bias Patterns, Blog: True Bias, Instagram: @truebiasFollow Helen! Blog: Helen’s Closet, Instagram: @helens__closetFollow Caroline! Shop: Blackbird Fabrics, Instagram: @blackbirdfabricsFollow the Podcast! Instagram: @lovetosew.podcast, Twitter: @lovetosewpod, Facebook: /LovetoSewPodLeave us a voicemail with your questions, comments, and feedback: 1-844-SEW-WHAT (1-844-739-9428)E-mail us: [email protected]Sign up for our newsletter to get weekly episode updates, special news, and even some exclusive content that you won’t find anywhere else.Leave us a review! It will help other sewists discover us.http://traffic.libsyn.com/lovetosew/LTS8.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
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1 hr 20 min - Episode 7: Are You a Sewing Perfectionist?
Do you enjoy taking the time to make every detail the best it can be or do you make yourself crazy trying to get everything ‘perfect’? In this week’s episode, we unpack the topic of perfectionism as a community by sharing your thoughts and discussing how striving for perfection affects our sewing practice.
- Our first episode
- Happier podcast
- Ask us your questions for our special Q&A episode! Call us at 1-844-SEW-WHAT (1-844-739-9428) or email us at [email protected].
- Blackwood Cardigan Sale
- Camp Workroom Social
- Blackbird Fabrics Newsletter
Voicemails:- Heather from the Pug & Needle – @heatherandthepugs
- H&M fabric donation
- Maggie’s no-show sewing night:
When you don’t give enough notice for sewing night, you might end up sewing alone. But thankfully the @lovetosew.podcast kept me company (and I left them a voicemail to show my appreciation) and I finally made some progress on the #morrisblazer I cut out MONTHS ago.
A post shared by Maggie (@wwcutie) on Sep 7, 2017 at 5:23pm PDT
Caroline’s muslin fabric is a 3.5oz Quilters Muslin (online source not found)Instagram Comments:See our call for comments on Instagram here.Developing a perfectionism streak:- iamavd I find as I am getting pickier about mistakes as my sewing skills improve. Early on, I forgave/lived with mistakes and chalked them up as learning, but as I buy nicer fabric and take the time to make muslins, I’m spending more time to get it right.
- toastedthread I love perfectly finished garments!! When I was first learning, it was discouraging but also motivating. As my skills have gotten better, it’s very rewarding to be proud of the finished project! It also forces me to slow down and put more thought into each garment- quality over quantity! #slowsewing
- kateeprice I used to focus on making quick projects for a sense of accomplishment. Now I want to make things as well as I can. It’s never going to be perfect but I no longer steer away from more complex patterns and I spend time testing stitches on a scrap of fabric and looking at tutorials and help online to make it the best I can. Still never perfect!
- sewrendipity I find that I am more of a perfectionist as I get better at sewing and will rip out a lot until it’s up to my standards. On the outside! Don’t look at my insides.
Showing your mistakes to non-sewists- famoustaralee I’m my own worst critic! I’m a perfectionist by nature but it just makes me batty when it comes to sewing my garments. I know, I know, I should chill out because seriously…who’s going to lift up your skirt to see your seam work?! I hope no one. Eek
- jlothian If I were a perfectionsist I’d never wear any of my makes. I often point out my mistakes to non sewest, I’m trying to stop doing that as they are just trying to compliment my work. We are the only ones that notice so I don’t let it bother me.
- thesewingbinns If it’s perfect you’re not learning anything. I always learn something in my mistakes. Not to mention I’ve never once had someone inspect my me makes
Going above and beyond with your finishing techniques- rimmazolo I love taking my time and making a good quality garment! I sew not because I have nothing to wear but simply because it brings me lots of pleasure, so why rush. I tell myself that if I want a garment with crooked stitching and poor quality, I can buy ready-to-wear for that, but if I want quality, I better make it myself!
- Caroline’s Dress for her sister’s wedding:
- Helen’s Suki Kimono made out of the same fabric:
Sewing for others- tarynlines If I’m sewing for me or my kids it’s not a huge problem. I was part of a sewing swap for a while and I had so much anxiety over which fabric the random person would like, thread, size…and I had to make it all perfect. I had to stop doing the swap cause I couldn’t handle the stress for just a silly thing!
- ladysewalot It’s something I struggle with at the moment, because I’m currently learning to be a professional costume maker. Does perfection become mandatory when money is being put on the table?
- some of Caroline’s Sewaholic Patterns samples
Does perfectionism ever stop you from sharing your makes?- oonajunni I haven’t instagrammed my past four makes because of perfectionism.
Does perfectionism take the joy out of sewing?- alphabet_thread …… I think that hinders creativity, for me sewing is my escape from reality so if I was constantly chasing perfection at the expense of joy, I probably wouldn’t sew anything at all!
- crabandbee I’m a bit of a perfectionist but I find it comforting. My standard for perfect is as good as my best previous effort or better, so at least it’s attainable. Sewing is an area of my life where I get all the time I want to make it right!
- handmadebyyaelI’m constantly fighting perfectionism as it just gives me anxiety. I wouldn’t have a handmade wardrobe now if I aimed for perfect. Of course I want to do my best and improve my skills but I try to be satisfied with good enough. For me perfectionism is the killer of joy and creativity.
- adaspragg Sewing is the one area of my life where I’m not paralysed by ‘perfection’…I’m much more resilient in the sewing room
- @terrapinna Perfectionism can rob me of the joy of making, because all I can see are the flaws in my work. I forget that there is a learning curve for sewing, just like for everything else. I view failure as something to be avoided rather than a learning experience.
- @gilliancrafts AHAHAHAHAHA – am I a perfectionist? I grew up with a very perfectionist older sister, so I instead channeled myself into reckless abandon and spontaneity! I HATE aiming for perfection in sewing because for me, it takes all the enjoyment out of it!
- Helen’s Coats
- Caroline’s Burda Coat pattern
- Tessuti coat patterns
- Heather Lou’s jeans e-course and jeans e-book
- Our Jeans!
Spent the weekend #sewcializing and sewing jeans with friends! We had a great time @tasiapona @confidentbeginner @meesh.made #sewingfriendsarethebestfriends #handmadefashion #sewing #memadeeveryday #morganjeans #gingerjeans
A post shared by Love to Sew (@lovetosew.podcast) on Sep 10, 2017 at 4:29pm PDT
Fear of starting a project because of perfectionism- maze.handmade Oh yes I am a perfectionist! I love that about myself and hate it.m at the same time. It makes me work hard and learn even harder with every task, but it is so hard to start a project because of it. Trying to decide on just the right combination of pattern, fabric, notions and then worrying about whether a certain style would look good on me, trying to think over and over about every detail – silhouette, length, print scale or better solid just to be safe…. can and often does feel agonizing. And once I make all the decisions, it is usually a pleasure to sew.
- @terrapinna I put off some of the larger projects on my list (jeans, coat, button down shirt) because I don’t thing I will be able to make them well enough that I will want to wear them. On the flip side, I have found that that more I sew, the more I am able to think differently about my abilities and accept the less than perfect results. Just thinking about this and reading what I have written makes me want to tackle some of those things that I have been avoiding!
Are there things in sewing that are ‘worth fixing’ and things that are not?- Can we think of example of garments we have made with mistakes that made the garment not our first choice to wear?
- tri2sew Totally depends on the goal. Will rip out a zipper 7 times if it doesn’t line up with the waistband to the umpteenth fraction of a millimeter on a dress I plan on wearing to an important function, but will totally go with the flow on something more casual.
Thoughts on perfectionism for beginner sewists- blueprintsforsewing I’m a reformed perfectionist! It’s made me a much happier sewist. I have a rule with my students called the ‘three foot rule’ which means if you can’t see your mistake from 3ft away, you don’t have to fix it.
- rosegardenln Since I’ve only been sewing a short time; I focus on one skill at a time and try to work through it. I give myself grace in all my projects but also try to improve each time.
- worthydesignstudio I absolutely love the feeling of something turning out just perfect, but if it goes a bit wrong, I just go in for the motto that me and my college buddies used to say when we feiced up… “it’s a design feature”!
- jessandhen My craft personality tends towards “eh, good enough” so my zigzagged finishes work for me. If they start to fall apart too quickly then I’ll learn more about higher level finishing. I kind of find the minor flaws of my makes endearing–i call it the hand of the maker and it reminds me all the time that I made that!
“Perfectionism is not the same thing as striving to be our best. Perfectionism is not about healthy achievement and growth; it’s a shield. When perfectionism is driving, shame is always riding shotgun, and fear is the annoying backseat driver.” Brené Brown- Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
Follow Helen! Blog: Helen’s Closet, Instagram: @helens__closetFollow Caroline! Shop: Blackbird Fabrics, Instagram: @blackbirdfabricsFollow the Podcast! Instagram: @lovetosew.podcast, Twitter: @lovetosewpod, Facebook: /LovetoSewPodLeave us a voicemail with your questions for our special Q&A episode! 1-844-SEW-WHAT (1-844-739-9428)E-mail us: [email protected]Sign up for our newsletter to get weekly episode updates, special news, and even some exclusive content that you won’t find anywhere else.Leave us a review! It will help other sewists discover us.http://traffic.libsyn.com/lovetosew/LTS7.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
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1 hr 8 min - Episode 6: A New Chapter with Christine Haynes
Christine Haynes tells us all about her epic move NYC, her new job as manager of Purl Soho, and her plans for her pattern line, Christine Haynes patterns. We loved chatting about this new chapter of her life and hearing all about how she got here. Christine reminds us that it is OK to stop and evaluate where we are at in order to keep moving forward.
- Christine Haynes Patterns
- Purl Soho in NYC
It’s time to let the cat out of the bag and announce a big secret! I am thrilled to share that I am the new Store Manager at the incredible @purlsoho! I cannot express how truly honored I am to be joining such an iconic shop, filled with gorgeous merchandise, and a lovely team of people who have welcomed me with open arms and hearts. I’m loving every minute of it and hope you come by to say hi! #purlsoho #purlsohobusyhands #christinehaynes Photo by @squidneyknits
A post shared by Christine Haynes Patterns (@christinehaynes) on Aug 16, 2017 at 4:06pm PDT
- Camp Workroom Social
- Emery Dress
- Lottie Dress
- Fancy Tiger Crafts
- List of retailers of Christine Haynes’ paper patterns
- Kelli Ward from True Bias
- Instagram of Christine’s sewing space in LA:
#sewphotohop day 6: sewing space // this was my sewing studio in Los Angeles, which is close to the size of my entire apartment in Brooklyn. So yeah, things are going to be a bit different next go around! The only things in this photo that are still with me are my sewing machines, the Orla Kiely lamp, and my grandma’s sewing caddy. The rest now lives in other people’s homes.
A post shared by Christine Haynes Patterns (@christinehaynes) on Sep 6, 2017 at 4:52am PDT
- Jenny (Workroom Social)
- Marcy (Oonaballoona)
- Brooklyn Craft Company
- Purl Soho Classes & Events
- IFC
- Renegade Craft Fair
- Jen Beeman from Grainline
- Sarai from Colette Patterns
- Art Institue in Chicago
- Christine Haynes’ Books
- Craftsy Class
- Creative Live class
- Christine’s post on the healing properties of knitting
- Christine’s post about dealing with loss
Follow Christine! Shop: Christine Haynes, Blog: City Stitching, Instagram: @christinehaynesFollow Helen! Blog: Helen’s Closet, Instagram: @helens__closetFollow Caroline! Shop: Blackbird Fabrics, Instagram: @blackbirdfabricsFollow the Podcast! Instagram: @lovetosew.podcast, Twitter: @lovetosewpod, Facebook: /LovetoSewPodLeave us a voicemail with your questions, comments, and feedback: 1-844-SEW-WHAT (1-844-739-9428)E-mail us: [email protected]Sign up for our newsletter to get weekly episode updates, special news, and even some exclusive content that you won’t find anywhere else.Leave us a review! It will help other sewists discover us.http://traffic.libsyn.com/lovetosew/LTS6.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
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1 hr 6 min
About Love to Sew
From the publisher's feed
Helen Wilkinson and Caroline Somos host Love to Sew, a fun weekly podcast about making clothes, sewing community, and small business. They talk (and laugh) about their passion for sewing a handmade…
wardrobe and their daily lives as creative entrepreneurs. Listen to interviews with indie business owners and inspiring sewists who totally understand your obsession with sewing.