I am just a few scissor cuts and basting stitches short of having what I believe will be my final and more correctly fitted rendition of the Jalie 2909 Trouser pattern (I've done 2 muslin fittings thus far--see a few post back for details). But for some reason, I've hovered around my cutting table, laid out test fabric and pattern but I can't bring myself to begin cutting. I'm just frozen in my tracks. Kinda like a deer in headlights.
Well I know myself rather well and I've definitely been here time and time before. This is the part in my sewing, specifically with something new, where I have to jump over the mental hurdles that cause me to second guess myself and prevent me from finishing my garment. You see I'm an over-analyzer by nature; one of the left brained people who methodically plans there steps and studies meticulously to solve problems. I'm no way far left with this--you know OCD or anything like that. For me I think I spend so much time investing in a sewing project, especially the difficult one's, that it's hard for me to sometimes just throw my hands up and just finish without second-guessing myself. Weird, huh? Do you ever go through this? Do you experience simultaneous elation and apprehension about finishing a sewing project?
In order to override this "issue" I find I just have to turn my brain OFF and as the Nike slogan says, "Just Do It"!!! You know, "Take the Plunge", "Grab the Bull by the Horns", and all of those wonderfully colorful metaphors out there that encourage progress. I have to just finish this! No more over-thinking from this moment on! It's as easy as that! Just cut out the pants and sew them. No need to make this task harder then it has to be!
Whew--I'm glad that I got that out. I feel I needed a swift kick in the seat of my pants. I feel somewhat better already. I figure putting myself "out there" would make me stop stalling, face my apprehension, and move forward. Ok--I'm ready to move ahead. The brain is turned off and scissors are in hand---it's time to go cut out and sew some pants.........
We've all been there, I'm there now trying to find a TNT pants pattern, I've always been able to make a pattern straight out of the envelope without worrying about fitting issues, I'm not enjoying the process but as any dedicated seamstress will do I'm pressing on (pun intended).
ReplyDeleteYou can do it!! I do this myself. It seems like the more time I have invested in altering the pattern/muslin, the harder it is to cut the "real" fabric (even if the fabric itself is cheap and replaceable). All that self-investment makes me more afraid of failure, whereas when it's just a pattern that I sew straight off without changes I can just whip it out. I'm sure there is some psychobabble for that...
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of us are like that. I obsess and stress, give myself anxiety, and then remind myself that I ALREADY HAVE A STRESSFUL JOB AND I AM DOING THIS FOR FUN. Fun, I tell you! And then I make myself jump in and say, if I mess it up, well, it won't be my first wadder, and it won't be my last.... FYI, I found your blog by googling "sewing bloggers" for my area-- I live in Bluffton. Hey neighbor!
ReplyDeleteI TOTALLY "get" what you're saying.
ReplyDeleteI thought I was the only one who grows *less* confident the more things progress without a problem. It's like Russian Roulette. I just know I am going to mess up eventually. The longer project goes without a major hiccup, the more I feel like I am going to ruin it the next time I touch it.
You are so not alone... I carry my pattern instructions with me to help me wo(man) up to sewing the garment. After all is said and done, I say... what the heck were you worried about....lol
ReplyDeleteI will admit that I am still intimidated about sewing pants. I am shorted waisted, narrower in the hips, small tush with long legs and know I will need major pattern adjustments, but my plan is to go for it this year.
Thank you for the lovely compliment on my suit.
I totally feel you on this. A good fitting pair of pants is my biggest quest for this year also. I overthink things sometime to the point that I just don't do it. This year I need to throw out the word fear and just decide there will be no fear here. Instead I will practice, practice, practice.
ReplyDelete