One of the big things I love about Glee is the song: Don't Stop Believing!
I'm in the middle of a pants class right now, and my students are remarkable. But periodically, I do meet discouragement and disappointment in my students.
The first thing I want to convey is that Don't Stop Believing! And I know it's hard when either the student is completely lost or she's not understanding where I'm going. And the lost part is what I'm most concerned about.
I started teaching because I realized how easy it was for me to get dressed or get excited about getting dressed and going through my closet. If I want a new white blouse/top, I just plop down in my studio and make it. If I want a hot red dress - that shows off the best part of me, I just pull out something from my stash, and make it up.
That's real freedom! I wanted to pass that freedom on to my students.
So for the bewitched, bothered and bewildered:
- don't be discouraged.
- remember if you knew how to do all this, you'd be teaching the class and not me.
- a project should be tackled in parts, particularly if it is overwhelming. If the idea of doing a jacket is something you really want to do, but you either haven't done one in a while, or you're just plain scared to death - take it on it parts
Along this vein, I was asked something interesting by my students: How long would I have to take lessons to sew like you?
I wasn't ready for that. I've been sewing (good sewing, not play or "sewing for my Barbie" sewing) for almost 40 years. When I was studying under my mentor, in one semester I would sew up 16 shirts, another 6 jackets, another 4 coats, 2 ball gowns - on and on. Each garment was graded and critiqued - the critiqued part was really helpful. Not only did I learn how to sew up these garments, but I also learned not to be afraid of it. The pattern-drafting, fitting, designing all naturally developed from those semesters of just practice, practice, practice.
I "practiced" sewing for almost 10 years, before I started my business.
This sounds like a monotonous drill, but it was anything but. I do love sewing. It was just solving one puzzle after another - the kind of puzzles that I adore and can't wait to tackle.....part of that "follow your bliss" stuff that I also love!
For a lot of sewists, this isn't either possible or desirable. But I also know that a lot of sewists do want to learn key techniques and methods from which a whole lot can be accomplished.
You don't have to know how to do hand pad-stitching to be able to sew in a sleeve.
You don't have to know about a button stance or notched lapel to be able to sew in a zipper.
So here are some things to think about when you're overwhelmed with a project.
- You don't have to accomplish the project all at once (or even in one day - thank heavens!)
- If it's a big project, take it in steps - if you have to little baby steps.
- If you want to be able to do a method or technique well, practice - it's not a secret formula - just practice. By the way, this also makes you comfy with the process.
- Don't expect to know everything about sewing, fitting and designing all at once. You didn't pop out of your mama's womb knowing how to do this stuff automatically - don't have those unrealistic expectations.
- And DON'T STOP BELIEVING!!!!
