It's not that I'm exactly all that excited to do my "chores" but in the last few years I've noticed something about my sewing (or the way that I accomplish tasks in general). I'm truly a Short Distance sewer!!! It's funny, because in a way it sounds sorta bad but trust me I always (for the most part) finish my tasks but only in short spurts instead of long stretches of time. I'm no good working on the same task for 8 hours at a time. My brain is too busy and I get mentally distracted too easily. Then I run the risk of "over-thinking" what I'm doing, making costly mistakes, and ultimately suffering burn-out. I work better and more efficiently within shorter blocks of time. It's kinda similar to the concept of "circuit training" in workouts--multiple movements in shorter periods of times. That's probably the worst analogy and I don't think I'm thoroughly explaining it but you'd have to be kinda like me to understand.
I've learned in life that the best thing is not to always change things about yourself but to make them work for you. We've all got our idiosyncrasies!!! So since I know how I am, I try not to push myself beyond my concentration limits---even with something I love as much as sewing. And since I'm a pretty time conscious person, when I know I plan to spend only 2-3 hours sewing I'm more focused on accomplishing certain goals. This is part of the reason why my 10,000 Hours of Sewing challenge goals of 3 hours of sewing or sewing related activity a day actually works well for me. But I have to admit that I admire all of you Sista's and Guys who can sew an entire garment in one night--I mean 5-8 hours of straight sewing. Trust me, I know people like this!!! What endurance. That's indeed a unique gift!
So here's my question to you. What kind of sewer are you? Are you a Long or Short Distance Sewer and Why? How are you able to make it work for you?
I feel you completely. I am the same way as you and sometimes I don't feel like I get as much sewing done as I would like to. Sure, I'd love to complete 2 or 3 projects a week, but that's not likely to happen. This is why I can't sew for other people. They be believe in deadlines and I believe in getting it done, when I get it done. LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm both! Sounds strange but sometimes I have a long free Sunday ahead of me and I spend the whole day sewing and I love it.But I don't feel I have to finish it and usually I don't. I often leave the last touches for a day or two. Why? I don't know. I just do. I also sew in the evenings for just an hour or two and aim to finish a garment over two weeks. So both styles work for me. The point is I have no real deadlines. My usual "measures" of my success are two: the first is the garment and the second is stash reduction - patterns and fabrics. And I am really strict about that! I don't like that "out of control" feeling that burgeoning stash gives me. My whole stash has to fit into one small suitcase. The connection with your question is that if my stash has grown I do more long sessions AND more short sessions.
ReplyDeleteAnyway I love the clothes you make and I love the 10,000 hours idea.
Great question! I'm a bit of both. Sometimes I can spend a whole day sewing, and like the feeling of getting a lot done, but usually it's just a few hours here and there because there are so many other things that I have to be doing. I think that my work is better if I limit myself to shorter periods of time but because I don't have a dedicated sewing space I have to have a reasonable amount of time available or it just doesn't seem worth the effort of getting everything out!
ReplyDeleteAt home I tend to stop after every stage is completed and make a cup of tea, so maybe I am short distance! I normally wouldn't sew all day unless I am on a major project. Once I finish something my sewing day is complete - I don't usually start anything else immediately as I like to revel in my new one! That is not to say I am not thinking about my next project though!
ReplyDeleteI am a reader. I read and think about sewing daily.I just have not had the time or energy to work on a project. I like instant gratification so I would like to be long distance. I have arthritis in the neck, so I am forced to be a short distance sewer as I need frequent breaks.
ReplyDeleteI like this post.. I am a bit of both. However, I can get too engrossed in sewing if my mind wants to see the end result fast. That means no eating or drinking. I am trying to not get into that habit! With all said, I can get bored easily too, sometimes I just don't sew for days, weeks and months. I get my hands working on my other hobbies instead. During this time, I start thinking about new projects, shop for fabric, read blogs and get inspired.
ReplyDeleteToday, I was a long distance sewer with two breaks in between. I made throw pillows! Got all excited using my machines again after 3 months.
Great post! I am definitely a marathoner. When I get started I find it hard to stop. Often 8 hours will go by with only a quick stop for food. I am a very new sewist, so I need to focus hard - and I imagine everything takes me longer than it would take many of my fellow bloggers. I want it to go quickly - trust me! - it just doesn't seem to happen often. One or 2 times it has and I've been blown away by how fun and fancy-free the sewing experience was.
ReplyDeletePoint is, I need to put in the time. I don't have a lot of opp to sew during the week between work and parenting. So weekends get my attention, if at all available.
I'm bad. My husbands says I'm on tracked minded, when i'm doing the laundry I do it until it's done, when I'm mopping, I mop the whole house, when I'm sewing, I start in the morning and by the time I stop it's early evening and I've forgotten to eat. It's not that I don't stop, because like you, I have kids and household responsibilities, but I'll only stop when I have to and then jump right back on. I think your way is better because at least your give yourself a rest and less chance for error.
ReplyDeleteWith 5 small people in my house, I'm definitely a short distance sewer. Actually, most things I do are short distance for that reason! I like your comment about knowing your quirks, though, and working with them. Although I might like fewer interruptions, I do prefer to break up my sewing to refresh my brain. Otherwise I start making silly mistakes.
ReplyDeleteVictoria, wonderful question! Like most of your subscribers, I'm both! I love taking a day off work just to sew! and I do often! When I've finished all my chores for the day and most people are winding down (TV time or reading), I truly enjoy sewing for 20-30 mins just before bed too! It really makes me feel good to sew something...doesn't matter how long I do, just that I sew! I really agree with Ms. Erica B too...I don't sew for others either (unless it's a surprise) because I only work by "self-imposed" deadlines! Great post Victoria!
ReplyDeleteI love this analogy! I'm a marathon runner, and sewing mirrors how I train for races. There are some days I sit down for a whole afternoon and sew but there are other times that I can only squeeze in a half hour (maybe this is ironing fabric, tracing a pattern)... this isn't too far off from doing one or two long runs a week and then a sprint workout another day.
ReplyDeleteI would say that I am mostly a short distance sewer. I sew for 2-3 hours a night, so if I can finish a project in that time, that is great! However, if it takes longer, than I usually have to get some sleep! I will say that I get engrossed in my projects always, and I have to make myself stop and re-fuel so if there ever came a day where I could sew all day, I would definitely do it!
ReplyDeleteI'm mostly a short-distance sewer. My attention span and my back won't allow me to do it any other way. I like to sew for a little while, then take a break to work on other projects. I need to be in the mood for whatever I'm working on and usually have multiple projects going at the same time, so that I can pick & choose based on my own personal whims.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I guess I'm a long distance sewer which is why I don't finish much. It's tough to get 6-8 hours of uninterrupted sewing time. Whenever I can only sew for 1-3 hours, I have trouble organizing my time well and feel like I don't accomplish enough. I've been trying to do the machine sewing in large blocks so when I only have an hour to sew, I can sit in front of the TV and hand stitch while talking to my husband.
ReplyDeleteNow that you asked--I am more of short distance sewist. I sew for a couple of hours and then I have to take a break or two. Usually it is because of other things that need to be done as well. Like you a get the project done and sometimes not as quick as I would like.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm more of a short-distance sewist. Not only because I have a four-year-old, but also because I think I have ADD. LOL! I just can't focus on one thing for that long before my mind starts to wander, usually about something else that I need to get done. :-P About 3 solid hours is all I can stand before I have to jump up and do something else.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I think I am a long distance sewer most of the time, but if I come across a complicated bit, or a technique I haven't used before, I invariably cope better if I take a break. For some reason, I need to go and do something else while my subconscious works out the problem. I often come back to it, hours later, and think, "It's so obvious! Why didn't I think of that before!"
ReplyDeleteLove your blog, and your sewing!
Both, definitely. Short-distance because if I don't want Social Services to take my kids away, I guess I better feed them and keep the house in some modicum of cleanliness along with actually showing up at my place of employment. LOL.
ReplyDeleteLong-distance, because on those rare occasions that I can sew uninterrupted, I enjoy every minute of it.
Excellent question.
Sewing is one of the few things I can concentrate on for 8 hours at a time. I do take short breaks to check email etc., but I can keep going for a long time in the sewing room.
ReplyDeleteNow cleaning, I have learned to allow myself to follow my non-linear course of getting "distracted" by a new thing every 15 minutes. Better to do each task for 15 minutes than try to force myself for longer and give up cleaning altogether.
For the most part I am a short distance sewer... well during the week I am. When Friday rolls around, I do my warm-up exercise which is take a nap..lol and once I'm up and about although midnight when the house is quiet... I can go for several hours straight.
ReplyDeleteI am a long distance sewer, but I can do short distance if I have to (it has been the case lately).
ReplyDelete(catching up on your blog, lol!)
I can sew for 8 hours but not for 8 days, so I think I am a bit of both. I enjoy the actual sewing parts because it is so relaxing. But I don't do it everyday. I will leave off on a good note and pick up three days later.
ReplyDelete