I mentioned in my last post that I had intended to write about sewing but my thoughts wandered. I haven't forgotten that post. I still wish to write it, and yet, since my last trip, and my last blog post, I have not done much in the sewing room.
That doesn't mean I don't want to catch up. One of the highlights of my year, and especially the fall months, has been both a return to sewing and, more generally, a renewed focus on handwork in general. And I have wanted to record that progress in some way, to write about what I am doing and what it means to me, not so much because there is anything particularly special or skilled about my efforts but because it is my nature I suppose to think excessively, increasingly to go slowly, and to natter on.
In early November I devoted a few straight days to working on sewing, as opposed to other projects in the studio. I spent some days drawing patterns on muslin, cutting, sewing, fitting two patterns I wanted to make.
I had so much fun!
I had forgotten how much I enjoyed the process itself completely separately from the thrill of wearing the clothes. I was reminded how important it was to give myself time, to allow myself to play. How important it is to just make things, simple or complex, mistakes and all.
I am very fortunate. I do not have to make my own clothing to have something to wear. I can afford to buy clothes. And simple garments are really not that complicated or difficult, unless one is inclined toward complexity or detail. I am also in an odd place in that I probably actually need some clothes, but I do not feel inclined to rush out and fill my closet to the rafters. I want to make what I make, wear what I wear, be it simple or fancy. Even if what I make is a total mess, I might still wear it. I am past the stage in my life where I feel I need to impress anyone with any accomplishments or skills or talents. Perhaps I am at that stage in my life where I can be proud to be a novice again.
I realized a few things. First off, I need a full-length mirror in the sewing studio, preferably a three-part one. I do have a mirror in the master bedroom, in the house, not the studio. That means that I am constantly running back and forth from the studio, which is above the garage, a separate building from the house, into the house and up the stairs to the master bedroom. And the reverse. The process of running down and up stairs, back and forth, trying on, pinning, running, sewing, running again, reassessing, pinning, and so forth, again and again and again, is not tenable.
One of my first projects for the new year is to find a mirror and figure out where to put it. I also think I need a full-sized tripod with a mount for my iPhone. The combination of mirror and camera will help considerably. Of course this also means that there will be an entirely new learning process involved. Sounds like fun. More playtime!
A tripod also means I can probably make some attempt at styling and photographing finished objects. I don't know how well that will take as I am not comfortable in front of a camera. I am perfectly happy employing Abigail as a model, as seen above in a dress I did finish and wear to several holiday parties.
The dress pattern itself is fairly simple. I used the Cadence Dress Pattern from Love Notions. The fabric is a lightweight rayon crepe. I lined the dress, which was not necessary, but makes me happy. I also messed up cutting the lining therefore making the process even more of a challenge. But I managed to pull it all together. The dress is wearable and I like it.
The lining on the sleeve flare makes me particularly happy. I want to swan around, making sweeping gestures with my arms. Silliness, yes. But what is life without a little silliness?
