“Remember, You Enjoy Sewing” (And Other Lies)

Is sewing easy? No. This would be my no-hesitation, emphatic answer to anyone asking this question. (Unless, of course, the asker was a prospective sewist, then I’d be way gentler). Sewing can be frustrating and disheartening. I laugh at and deeply commiserate with all the sewing influencers who bravely share their blunders. So, why do we do this? Can’t we just buy clothes? The following is the struggle I go through with every single project, and why I keep coming back.

Approaching the Saturday Skirt Set for the first time, I flew through the pattern prep with gusto. While this may not be my favorite part of any sewing project, it’s the beginning, and that means motivation is at its peak. Also helpful was using a paper pattern, since I had been getting used to extra steps with PDF patterns. Not only that, but Friday Pattern Company includes encouraging little messages all over the pattern tissue. It helps!

Cutting out the fabric held extra significance. Technically, it doesn’t belong to me; it belongs to A Cut Above Fabric, so I had to do it justice. No waste! No do-overs! In a plot twist I couldn’t have foreseen, my brain gave me no grief. I felt confident, and the cuts were made. In hindsight, I was considering the whole time how I would coach a beginner sewist on conserving fabric while cutting out patterns. That became my Pattern Tetris Instagram post, and strangely, that inner monologue was the source of my power.

With the first two phases complete, I ran into my first major block. I needed to sew the garment together. Why was this the hard part? I baby-stepped forward: “I’ll just attach the interfacing”. Two hours of gorgeous, flow-state sewing later, I had the same epiphany that I always have in this situation: I enjoy sewing! Shocking. I shared this realization with my husband. He’s now making a habit of helpfully saying, “Remember, you enjoy sewing.”

What is my takeaway? There’s an odd but agreed-upon fact about things that bring us joy. Oftentimes, we need a little push to get started, and we don’t feel particularly joyful during certain challenging parts of the process. But after each little success, and certainly once the project is finished, we feel completely satisfied. I relearn that lesson all the time.

Happy sewing,

Mariena ❤️

No scratchy linen here! This Essex 55% Linen/45% Cotton blend feels smooth, substantial, and is a dream to work with. It presses easily and will hold some structure to give you that nice air-conditioner feel in the hot Summer months.

Sew through all the steps and guess what? You have two new garments. Mind = blown!

And here she is! The finished product. All the lovely fabric behind me is the same blend in gingham, windowpane, and stripes! All will be available on June 11th for our Grand Opening. 

My favorite things about the Saturday Skirt Set:

1. Flat front, elastic back skirt. Practical and beautiful
2. Choose your comfort level with showing skin by tying the top in different ways
3. Two garments for the effort of one. Brilliant!

P.S. Next, I tackle the fluffy, yummy fabric that is Double Cotton Gauze. I'm excited for this one!