I'm sure I've spoken about this time and time again. But the more I grow in my sewing and as a human, the more I have the need to refine my personal sewing mantra.
See, let me begin...
Since I've been an adult, I've been married and a mother. I'm 44 years old. My oldest child is 25. I've been married for 23 1/2 years. Everything I do in life revolves around family. Every decision I make pretty much has to be filtered through someone else. Every minute detail has to be based on how it will affect them. Except for sewing.
Sewing is mine. All mine. It's the only aspect of my life where I have complete autonomy. I have one hundred percent creative control. I never have to take into consideration what anyone else thinks.
I get to pick the pattern. I get to buy the fabric that I love. I pick the colors that I love. I get to decide whether or not it will be lined. I choose the seam finish. I pick all of the notions.
I handpick the buttons. I choose the brand of thread I want and my favorite types of needles. And when I get to execute my perfect vision of the garment that I want, it's joyous!
Sewing has always been my escapism. It's my refuge when life is difficult. It's a place that I would probably choose first, even on a beautiful warm and sunny day. I get to walk into my studio and turn on the lights, turn on the machines and turn on my iron.
There is nothing like the thrill of spreading out a beautiful piece of fabric that I chose, onto my cutting table. Then putting in that fresh blade into my rotary cutter and the anticipation of making that first cut and being giddy with excitement throughout the construction phase and seeing that vision come to light is almost like birthing a child.
I'm a true creative in this aspect.
I'm with you. Sewing is mine! I made the 'awesome' McCall's pattern in a silk satin floral some mmm years ago. I'm not sure why, but I still have a swatch of the fabric.
ReplyDeleteI bet that is extraordinarily beautiful LindaNan!
DeleteLOVED reading this post, Erica! I feel exactly the same way about sewing ☺
ReplyDeleteYou have to have that outlet! Thanks Tany!
DeleteOMG, Erica! I was just working on a similar blog post. With sewing I get to be selfish without feeling guilty about it. Great post!
ReplyDeleteGreat minds Alicia! LOL
DeleteBeautiful post and affirmation. reminds me of a similar feeling I expressed in a post from 1997... http://mimisasyouwish.blogspot.com/2007/09/on-lace-running-business-and-raising.html
ReplyDeleteThat's a great post Mimi!
DeleteThis is an awesome post, and one I can relate to! Thank you. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading dkswife!
DeleteLove this post Erica. This all sounds so similar. Me time is so important however you spend it. For me I just love to make clothing.
ReplyDeleteIt's all about the passion!
DeleteVery well thought out and so true to my life as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure most of us feel the same way!
DeleteI feel the same way about quilting. That’s why I don’t sell my quilts. There is no timetable. No expectations, except the ones I put on myself. It’s my one absolute and total escape.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful!
DeleteI just found your blog, but I love the fact that you make your own clothes and you carry them with pride and joy, as you should because they look amazing! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Kata K!
DeleteAmen sister!
ReplyDeleteThanks Faye!
DeleteWell spoken and so true. No one but me will decide what happens and that is a beautiful gift to have.
ReplyDeleteIt's an amazing gift! Thanks Amy!
DeleteAlthough my life responsibilities are different now, I definitely understand that feeling of peace and calm that descends over me and other sewists when I turn on the lights to the sewing cave. Sewing is everything to me...
ReplyDeleteI agree Carolyn. It falls somewhere between passion and obsession for me!
DeleteGreat post! I concur!
ReplyDeleteThanks Joy!
DeleteI get giddy too when I start to make all the decisions, gather materials and cut out a new project! I don't use a rotary cutter much unless I'm cutting silk or very lightweight fabrics. I used to use it all the time but I got so tired of always having to buy and dispose of blades. I guess now that I've started quilting I'll have to get over that!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I worry about the possibility that when I do start a family, my sewing time will disappear forever. Obviously that isn't true, but I do think about it a bit. Did you get to sew much when your kids were young? It's great that you've been able to carve out this space in your life solely for yourself.
When my kids were really young, I worked outside the home. I made costumes for Halloween and school plays. And I did my own alterations. I didn't start sewing regularly until almost 10 years ago.
DeleteIt works out great when your family respects your passion. They know that sewing is as serious as breathing for me.
Thanks Grace!
Spot on!
ReplyDeletep.s. we are the same age :-)
Club 44! LOL.
DeleteI can relate so much to this post, I started sewing last year 33rd birthday, and it was the first time ever I have something this totally for me. I love it and look forward to years of it
ReplyDeleteEnjoy it and make sure everyone around you know and respect it!
DeleteI've been sewing since I was 9 (I'm now 67) and simply can't imagine not sewing. It is my true creative outlet and brings me such joy and peace! So nice to hear how sewing feeds your soul too! Karen
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine either Karen. It would drain my soul.
DeleteSomewhere between obsession and passion for me too. You nailed it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sew Hopeful!
DeleteYour words & thoughts have captured how I feel as well! It's so much a part of my life & I love that it's just mine
ReplyDeleteThanks MaryEllen!
DeleteYes that is so true!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate!
DeleteI couldn't of said it better myself. Happy sewing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lori!
DeleteAwesome! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting Zina!
DeleteI've never replied to a blog before but just had to say Amen Girl, I started sewing about 12 years ago and I'm totally hooked, its the thing that makes me happy aside from my family. Love your style and envy your talent.
ReplyDeleteThanks for replying Ginger!
DeleteBeautifully said. Makes me want to go sew, although it is past midnight and I have a paper to finish. Soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks Elle!
DeleteThat was totally hot.
ReplyDeleteAs a creative yourself, you get it!
DeleteMy sentiments exactly, I would rather be sewing even on a sunny day. I started sewing 3 yrs ago and I love it. It's very much a part of me, when I'm not thinking about family or work, I'm thinking about sewing. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteYes! Our passion/obsession conundrum! Thanks Sandra!
DeleteOh Erica-your post makes me so happy!! I too love my sewing room. Every morning I iron my husband's shirt for work. He occasionally says he can do it. But it makes me so happy in the morning--to go in my sunny sewing space, turn on the iron and iron. I feel like I'm sewing. And even tho I may never get back in there the rest of the day, I got to iron and spend time in my sewing room.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of your wonderful posts. You inspire me every day!
Well, that's "sewing-related". I always make an effort to do at least something everyday! Thanks Melinda!
DeleteLove this! It is so true that the time spent sewing is my own personal time for me. It's where I can be as creative and/or wacky as I want to be. I always try to encourage people to find something creative to do every day. And you, Erica, continue to inspire people to do just that!
ReplyDeleteThank you Denise!
DeleteAmen! People always ask me if I sew for husband and our baby girl and I say NO! I've only sewn one thing for each of them. But, sewing is mine. My sewing room is mine and everything that happens in it is mine. From the moment I open my eyes, I'm functioning for someone else, whether it's my daughter, my husband, or my job. But, this thing right here is all me and if I CHOOSE to sew for anyone else, it's not out of obligation, but out of the kindness of my heart! Go, Erica!
ReplyDeletewww.StyleSewMe.com
Yes! The power of "ME TIME"!
DeleteThis so resonates with me. I never thought of it this way. But this is true for me and my life too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Trudy!
DeleteI agree with you 100%, when I am sewing nothing else matters! Great article.
ReplyDeleteThanks Etta!
DeleteHear, hear! Beautiful post, Erica! And we love that you closed it with our Awesome image.
ReplyDeleteThat image is currently my favorite sewing meme!
DeleteI let my husband read this and then I went in my sewing room and shut the door. DROP THE MIC AND PIMP WALK AWAY!
ReplyDeleteYes! Let him know Carol! ROFLMAO!
DeleteRight!!
DeleteLet the church say AMEN again. Cooking is my instinctual creative gift and I have to do it for others all the time (family, catering etc) But sewing is my creative outlet - keeps me from snapping on folks. my sewing area is half of our unfinished basement - its literally a dungeon - not cute (I'm working on changing that). But I LOVE going down there! Even if I don't have time to work on anything, I atleast go down there to straighten up, move stuff around, plan a project, rub on my fabric - SOMETHING! Hubby bought me a new machine for Christmas(my first one in my whole 41 years - all others had been hand me downs) and I treated myself to my first serger a couple of months ago after a big catering job. My husband doesnt understand it but he does support it (sometimes). I do my best work when they are all in bed! People ask me all the time to sew for them but I way no quick or simply quote them a price so outrageous they wont ask again! I occasionally quilt for people but they have to give me creative control. I do my own thing! So thank you much for this post. As you can see it perfectly represents how so many of us feel. I don't have many sewing friends but you are a great inspiration and help fill that void - keep posting and inspiring us.
ReplyDeleteThis ---> "keeps me from snapping on folks"! Yes Lord! Thanks for commenting Corynne!
DeleteHi Erica! I´m from Argentina, and sooo glad to find your blog. E-ve-ry word in this post seems to be the story of my life. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Flo!
Delete