I run out of steam when I am finishing projects.
For whatever reason, I procrastinate on completing hems. The dark blue linen Zadie jumpsuit I started sewing this summer has been sitting on my work table waiting for sleeve and pant leg hems since sometime in August. I got to the point of marking and folding over the hem on one sleeve and have one pin sticking out of the fabric to show for it. The black linen Simplicity shorts I started in August have been sitting without a waistband (elastic, so it should be so fast and easy, right?) and leg hems since then. I have pattern tissue and pieces of possible items heaped on the work table, draped over the back of the rolling chair, tucked under the table, and everywhere else. I walk into the sewing room and am embarrassed by all of it. I now avoid the room, which doesn’t help with finishing anything. I could blame it on the sewing room being unbearably hot during the summer, but that’s not the full reason why.
I want to keep the focus of this blog on sewing.
If I don’t complete items, I don’t have anything to write about. There goes my writing goal for the year!
The items I actually finish don’t fit me.
I finished a white linen Simplicity dress in record time this summer, buying myself white fabric early in August and finishing in early September. I made the size I made the last time, forgetting that I’ve gained and lost and gained and lost and, ultimately, gained weight since then. I felt annoyed with myself as I struggled with zipping up the back zipper. I would wear it if it fit. I don’t wear the black linen Butterick culottes I made last year, either, due to the weight gain. This also discourages me from sewing and writing about sewing.
I don’t have a lot of time or energy to sew.
I work full time; I do an exercise and stretching routine every day; I do the majority of the housework. By the time I’m done doing the things that have to be done, I don’t have anything left over for sewing. Sewing is a physical act: leaning over the table to cut out pieces, using the iron to press seams and to iron out crinkled pattern paper, and leaning over the machine while sewing are all tiring. Sewing is also a mental act: planning what will work, going to the store to browse and buy fabric, selecting the correct size and second-guessing the correct size, and researching the pattern to see if it worked or didn’t work for other people all take time and effort. I don’t have a lot left over after planning and managing all the pieces of my day.
Other interests take up the spare time that I do have.
When I’m tired, I just want to read sweet novels, watch adventurous TV shows, and do research about random topics online. When I have energy and it’s a weekend day, I just want to roam the streets, go see art, try new snacks, buy more plants. I just want to be as expansive as possible. I work from home and I like to get out on the weekends. I don’t want to sew by myself at home.
So, for now, I’m giving myself permission to not sew and to not feel guilty about not sewing. I plan on setting achievable goals for where I am right now in my life. I still feel the urge to write, though, so I will focus on writing about other topics. I’m not going to post about other topics in this sewing blog, so it will be quiet for a while, and that’s okay.
Freshly Sewn 