Laura learns to sew (again)

I started writing a 2018 review and thought I could summarise my jump back into sewing within that - but … I clearly ramble too much so I thought it deserved its own blog post.

My sewing room!

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A DK sewing book purchased in 2015, my leaving present from work and an exciting addition to the collection

We moved house back in September 2017 and when I got my sewing machine out to sew up some cushion covers, I longed to make more complex projects and finally learn to make clothes to fit. I extended my cushion cover sewing as long as possible (I made some gamer pac man and space invader cushions for our wedding…) but decided, eventually, it was time to try clothes again. I'd flirted with the idea of learning to sew in the past, most recently in 2015 - where I had some marginal success in making some very very fitted tops to fit a changing body shape I wanted everyone to know about. But in reality, from school textiles to that most recent stab - I'd never given it enough time or thought to really be successful.

My lack of actual garment construction had, of course, not stopped my fabric collection from growing - with every thought of dressmaking, I gathered stashes of fabrics with grand ideas of sewing a new wardrobe for myself and collected fabrics from my travels with a longing to make clothes that reminded me of the wanderlusting years of my PhD days. Fabric and craft supplied were stuffed (lovingly?) into the limited storage space we had in our flat and when we moved and I had enough space to store this in a room of its on, I felt totally inspired.

However, I was commuting long distances to work at the time that we moved, and after the dust settled from unpacking and we settled in, the idea of dressmaking fell by the wayside a little once again. I certainly had a creative outlet though - in the form of preparing decorations and details for our wedding in May. From the crochet bouquet, to the cake toppers and bunting, it was certainly a celebration of craft. And by the time I had found a job closer to home and the honeymoon was over, I felt determined that it was time to really give myself a proper chance at learning to sew.

Pacman cushions

Simba enjoyed the space invader cushions

So… I did. I was so lucky to receive a lovely leaving present from work of the Tanya Whelan book - Sew Many Dresses Sew Little Time in July and I got to work immediately, dedicating some of the 10 hours a week I saved in my drastically shorter commute to sitting at my sewing machine, watching youtube videos and scrolling instagram and blog posts for ideas, tips, tricks and advice. Thankfully, I had some success in the early days which spurred me on and despite setbacks, I stuck with it. I definitely became borderline obsessed over the summer and I think those around me were expecting me to give up because, well, I have a track record of picking up with enthusiasm but perhaps not sticking to hobbies. I think the difference this time is the amazing resources on the internet. I binge watched Annika Victoria, Crafty Pinup and Sewisfaction vlogs and the Instagram sewing community has been a wonderful source of inspiration and help and I can't wait to participate more fully.

It's quite funny that the last time I picked up my machine it was, in part, because I was so desperate to show off a body I had near on starved myself to inhabit. And this time round, I'm finding it so body affirming to make beautiful clothes that fit me, in the body I am in, with the curves that I have. It’s not that I don't fit the clothes- It's that the clothes don't fit me. Hey, maybe the reason I got so frustrated last time round is cos I was so damn hungry (/hangry)!

The first top I made!