Sewing Fear
How is your sewing journey going? Are your sewing skills improving with each article you sew or are you stuck in a rut because you are fearful of trying new techniques or learning to sew something you haven’t tried yet?
You are not alone. Many people are frozen with sewing fear because of an experience suffered in long past home economics classes or some other failed sewing project. It is time to put those fears in the past and move on to fun times sewing successful projects. You can do it! You just need to educate and prepare yourself.
Decide what project you want to do first and then find the pattern you need. Look over the instruction sheet in the pattern and then think about what you will need to learn to do in order to sew that item. There are so many resources at your fingertips. Use the information provided with the pattern first. Sometimes the pattern maker includes great tips for techniques that are required for the article. Look for any tips from the pattern maker and try to make a sample if you are not familiar with the technique. This may save you from ripping out stitches when you sew the article.
I recently discovered that Simplicity Patterns has a web page devoted to how-to-sew tutorials. The site is Sewing Tutorials. .
Do you have a friend who sews? Don’t be afraid to ask if they would show you how to do a certain technique. Most people who sew are willing to share their expertise by showing how to do something, but may not have time to sew the article for you.
If you are a member of the Lansing Clippers, perhaps you could let the Chapter Advisory Board know you are interested in learning certain techniques. You might suggest the Board offer some classes in the techniques or include demonstrations at one of the monthly meetings.
Another resource at your fingertips is the internet. Offhand, I cannot think of a single sewing technique for which the internet does not provide demonstrations or instructions. Now that is a really big list! There are many different ways demonstrated for how to install a zipper. Maybe you need to know how to sew a fly front zipper, a side opening zipper on a skirt, a zipper down the back of a blouse or dress, a zipper in a make-up bag, or a zipper in purse. Search for information on how to install any zipper and I believe you will find it somewhere on the internet.
Perhaps you learn best in a classroom setting with a few others or even one-on-one instructions. If you look, you can find resources for in-person classes. Start with your local fabric stores or quilt shops. If they don’t offer classes you need, the shop employees may know someone who gives those classes and could give you a referral. Also check your local sewing or quilt guilds. Don’t forget to search on the internet for on-line classes. And don’t forget about all those sewing books you purchased and never found time to actually read!
Check to see if there is a sewing expo in your area. You can do a search on the internet to find one near you. They usually offer a large variety of classes.
I hope you will get rid of your fears and start a new project. You have lots of options; however, wishing you could sew better will not result in improvement. You must be the one to take the action needed to make the improvement happen. You must be the one to commit your time and energy to improving this life skill or hobby if that is what you consider it to be.
I hope you will start that new project soon. Do your research and prepare yourself first. Here’s to your success!
Judy
