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mistakes

9/19/2016

5 Comments

 
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one day last week i made two dresses... but i only had one to show for it in the end.  

i had pretty much finished my (first) dress, when i realized that i would never wear it.  the idea was a good one (in my opinion)... a calf length, short sleeved dress with slits at the sides.  this gorgeous fabric that i bought last autumn in nashville was waiting for the perfect project... and i thought i'd envisioned it.  when i slid that dress on, however, i just knew that i wouln't actually want to wear it that often.

it's like shopping.  i find what i think is a lovely piece, but when i try it on something is not right and i pass on the purchase.  sewing doesn't afford the same walk away opportunity.

i've sewn pieces i love,,, but i've probably sewn a lot more pieces that i would have walked away from in the fitting room.  the problem is that i've already consumed the materials.

i struggle with the notion that  sewing and knitting offer the "perfect" custom clothing option.  it does allow customization, quality assurance, and fitting options... but it can also create waste if the finished project is not worn.  yes, i can use the waste for other projects, but what if i don't want or need a quilt (that involves purchasing batting) made out of my failed shirt fabric?  what if i don't want or need another bread bag or child's skirt or any number of other projects that i could make out of the waste?

i can donate the finished project and cross my fingers that someone else will take it home and love wearing it.

i don't have the answers.  i like to create.  i like coming up with ideas and bringing them to life.  i like when my creations become beloved parts of my wardrobe.  they don't always become beloved parts of my wardrobe.  

this time, i was able to pick apart the first dress... cut out a second dress,,, sew it up... and like it.  i'm not so sure that a couple of my other recent sewing projects will have the same successful end to their stories.

i can consume less... as always.  i can do my best.  it's just hard sometimes to sort this all out.

thoughts?

love,
jane
5 Comments
Kari
9/19/2016 01:33:25 pm

Perfect example of what you've been talking about: I had my wedding dress made by a seamstress to save money (23 years ago). It was pretty, but if I'd tried that silhouette on in the store, I would have walked away from it. Sigh.

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jane link
9/19/2016 03:57:27 pm

oh, saddest example. :(

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jane link
9/19/2016 04:02:22 pm

now that i'm thinking about it, i made my wedding dress out of my mom's dress. when i measured for the skirt, i must not have accounted for the fact that it had layers of skirts and would poof out... so it ended up being about 2 inches too short. i just kind of avoid thinking about that and decided to tell myself that it showed off my cute shoes. :)

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Julie link
9/19/2016 05:46:14 pm

It's funny, but I'm actually working on a post along the same vein. I quit sewing for myself for so many years because of this very reason. I'm back at it, but I only use materials that are already available (either in my own stash or that I can find elsewhere). Reading your blog, it seems you've had tremendous success with sewing for yourself and your daughters. So many beautiful things on these pages.

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jane link
9/21/2016 11:43:48 am

I'll look forward to reading your take on it. I love that you are able to find beautiful materials that others are not using... and get lovely results. Thank you for the encouragement. I'm just acutely aware that this emphasis on fewer things puts a bit more pressure on the things that do make the cut... and sometimes the struggle feels a bit heavy. :)

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