Sewing Analgesia {How To Take The Pain Out Of Sewing}

 

I sew with commercial paper patterns, PDF print at home patterns and ones I draft for myself. I have a few ways of keeping things organized so I know what I have but what changed my world is Pattern File! Pattern file is a program that allows you to enter pics and details of the sewing patterns you own. It also has an iPhone app, which I love because if I’m in a fabric store and I find the perfect fabric for a pattern in my collection, I can look up the pattern on my phone and find things like the required yardage. Nifty or what? The paid version even has auto fill for most big four patterns. I put all my commercial and PDF patterns in there, I even use finished garment pics to add my self drafted ones. You can add anything to the notes section, I sometimes add links to pattern review that were helpful.

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I am a pattern tracer, rather than a cutter. I trace mine on to Vilene/McCalls pattern trace. Once I’ve traced a commercial pattern, I put the whole pattern envelope & the tracing into an A4 snap lock bag. I do the same with PDF patterns, making sure I put the printed instructions in. With self drafted patterns, I draft on ikea roll paper, once I’ve made it & know it works, I trace and snap lock it too. I store these in file hangers in my file cabinet. I have a file for each type of garment. I note where they’re stored in Pattern File. Patterns that haven’t been traced or made are in gift boxes in my bookcase for easy flipping through. Doing these things makes it much easier to plan my sewing (more on that later) and also keeps me from going nuts looking for things!

I’m not into cutting out. There, I’ve said it. I find it a complete pain in the butt. Not only do I not enjoy it, it means ousting Mr Ask from the lounge so I can put the table up. It also makes mess and fluff. So, if I’ve got the time and inclination I’ll get something cut out for later sewing. Sometimes I know I want to make several of something, like my fave skirt or knickers, so I’ll cut multiples at once. I recently cut 3 pairs of knickers, put each pair in a snap lock with the notions, trims etc I’ll need for later. Which brings me to the next tip…

Not everyone has big chunks of time to sew. Maybe you sew in nap time, late at night or in a lunch break. Or maybe you sometimes feel like a little sew without packing up and packing down. Having things pre cut allows me to sew in my sewing room without setting up the whole lounge room too. I like to do my hand sewing in bed, so I always package up things needing hand sewing near my bed. Having things packed up with all the things you need makes it easy to sew on the bus to work, in a lunch break, at your ASG meeting or at a child sporting commitment. I tend to store my ongoing projects & all the bits for them in totes so I can easily pick up my bag and finish a hem at Mummy Asks house or take it along to my ASG meeting. It also means things are neatly corralled in the house and out of the way of a cat in need of a place to nap or a thread to chase. Keep your projects portable and almost anywhere can be a sewing studio.

 

I just know how hokey this is going to sound and I know you’ll think it’s not important but it is. I take a pic of every garment I make or alter. Not always a fancy one, a phone pic is just fine. I have a folder on my laptop called Sewing Portfolio, with a sub folder for each year. I put a pic of every garment I’ve made or altered into it. There are so many benefits! One, you’ll be surprised at how much you’ve done in a year. No really, you will be. Two, it will give you such a good sense of your personal style, what you really wear and what is orphaned in your wardrobe. Three, you start to see what you need to make more or less of so you can plan your sewing. Four, if you decide to sew for others, or professionally, create a Me Made May collage or make a silly youtube, you’re all set!

As a great blogger once wrote, too much frosting, not enough cake. Tasia wrote a great post about how we tend to sew the fun and frilly and not the more boring but practical and needed garments. The frosting/cake metaphor has become ubiquitous in the sewing world, if you haven’t read the post, please make sure you do!

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But back to filling the holes in your wardrobe. I like to go through a process, I do it with seasonal clothing changes in the stores or if I feel I’m lacking direction. I review my sewing portfolio and see which items have been in high rotation. I think about what garments (RTW or self stitched) were useless and why, and what I could be wearing instead. Which things I would have worn if they had a (insert garnets here) to go with them. Once I’ve decided on what I need, I head to my patterns and pick which will work, I rummage through my stash and see if I have what I need. I have a Pinterest board devoted to sewing plans, which helps keep me on track. Once you have a plan you’re ready to cut out in bulk and get stitching!

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I love sewing so very much and I get withdrawals when the days pile up and a stitch hasn’t been sewn. I get an unbelievably immense joy out of wearing a self stitched outfit. It’s a perky mix of self satisfaction in my skills, the fabulosity of a flattering fit, having exactly what I wanted and a pure, uncomplicated joy that is twirling in a skirt. Bearing that in mind, it’s hard to find time, be organized and get it done. I know that these things work for me and I hope they work for you too.  Be amazing! Be creative! Be organized! Be pain free and