I had an absolutely useless day's sewing today. I went through all of my patterns, studied a vintage pattern, drafted a new basic sloper from my current measurements and at the end of it all I still had no suit jacket pattern. I had a moment there when I thought I'd be clever and just modify my summer suit pattern (see jacket here) to work for the new jackets I want to make, but then I couldn't figure out how to work backwards and remove the armhole princess seam (or at least I didn't want to bother trying today). The reason none of this was working out? Because I didn't want to be sewing today, I wanted to be writing and I was forcing myself to work on the jacket pattern instead. As a result I made zero progress!
It's strange, sometimes I just can't do anything else but write. "Real" writers don't wait for the muse, for inspiration like that to strike, because if they (we?) did wait for such a rare occurrence, nothing would ever get finished. Finishing a story means writing even when you don't want to. Sewing on the other hand...not always.The moments do arrive though, the buzz of inspiration beating on the sides of my skull so that I can focus on nothing else. Today just wasn't a sewing day, no matter how I tried.
Do you ever get struck with single focused creativity? When all you can do is write, or sew, or knit, or bake? Maybe it's just because I make all kinds of things, my brain just shuts all creative doors but one sometimes, leaving my no option but to go where the "muse" wants me...and this post is odd and rambling. I guess I just wanted to do a progress report on the suit jacketing today, and have no progress to report! Perhaps next weekend instead...
One thing you'll want to keep an eye on is the amount of ease. It seems that you, much like me, enjoy well-fitted tops. But if you're putting the lining, and the hair canvas etc etc, you'll need a bit more ease. ALSO. I heartily recommend putting a layer of flannel or something between the canvas and the lining. Lining fabrics are thin and hair canvas is super pokey. But that again adds more bulk.
ReplyDelete(This wasn't an issue for my student, since her jacket was never going to be worn -- but it's where I noticed it.)
-- Tegan
Thank you for all the tips Tegan! I will definitely look out for skimping on the ease, I tend to forget to do it! I'm not sure I'll actually be able to get my hands on real hair canvas unless I order some online but I will be looking into alternative materials for all the inside work. I have two jackets planned and I think the first will be a sort of trial one, using some tailoring techniques, and the later jacket going for the full tailoring experience!
DeleteI go through sewing lags like this too. Last one lasted almost 6 months, but when the urge returned I was way more productive than I would have been had I forced myself to sew when I didn't want to.
ReplyDeleteThat is a long while! I think I am just adjusting to having my new "day job" being sewing too (I am a seamstress at a swimwear company) that is effecting my home sewing now. I just already do so much sewing!
DeleteI adore how you poetically described the buzz of inspiration beating on the sides of your skull. That is a feeling I know well and which has almost never proven to be a bad thing at all. There's a rush and jolt of energy that tends to come along with it and that too is awesome.
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
Thank you Jessica! I definitely think a rush of inspiration is a good thing, even if it means having to switch my focus from one activity to another entirely! I have all the time in the world to sew when I get writers block instead!
DeleteYa know, on...Wednesday I have a post set to go about what I do when I'm in a sewing block.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm cheering you on with the progress, it'll come back!
Carla, Tiny Angry Crafts
Thank you Carla! I look forward to reading your post :)
DeleteIt is so frustrating when that happens! I think it is often best to go with it and the inspiration soon makes it's way back.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate, I certainly agree :)
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