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
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
