When pondering recently, just what I have learnt since I began my sewing adventures a couple of years ago, it occurred to me that there are certain things that I do now, that I was clueless of at the start, but have now become my sewing fundamentals. They are the steps that I wouldn’t dream of skipping or the situations that I will avoid like the plague. Because I know in all certainty, that if I do (or if I don’t), I have sounded the death knell on my project’s success. As I become aware of the little details that combine to make a professionally finished garment, these are my unwritten (until now!) rules, that I would be committing sewing sacrilage if I failed to adhere to. These are my Seven Deadly Sins of Sewing…
Skimping on the Pressing – I hadn’t a clue as a beginner that my iron would be just as important as my sewing machine.
Skipping the Toile – In my eagerness to sew a finished garment, in the past I have dived straight in and cut straight from my fashion fabric and regretted it every single time. It’s good to have a practice run when you’re using a pattern for the first time
Rushing – This is a big one for me! I can be an impatient sort. I’ve taught myself to enjoy the process of making a garment as much as the finished article, and take time over the little details, done well, that I know will make me smile each time I look at them
Neglecting needles – Using a new needle each time I start a new project has become a bit of a ritual for me. And using the right needle for the type of fabric was a lesson learnt the hard way too!
Sewing on Empty – Sewing when I’m tired is also a big no no for me. My patience is low, I get easily frustrated and I make stupid mistakes. (Hence the lack of sewing on this blog of late!) Some things are best left for another day when you’re in the right frame of mind
Fabric Faux Pas’ – If something is worth my time sewing, then it’s worth sewing with a decent quality fabric and decent quality notions. I’ve learnt to be patient in sourcing my fabrics because I can’t afford to buy metres and metres of fabric from High Street retailers. My stash is comprised almost entirely of thrifted supplies and I’ve had some great scores from Freecycle and fabric swaps too.
Thinking you can’t – This one, out of all of them has held me back the most in the past. Here’s what I’ve learnt – Don’t be afraid to tackle a project because you think it’s beyond you. Ok you may have to tackle it bit by bit. Break it down into smaller parts, surf the net for tutorials. read blogs. Practice on a scrap of fabric. But you’ll get there, and you’ll learn so much on the way
This list is by no means set in stone and there are many other things that I could add. I’m sure as I continue my sewing adventures I’ll find still more. But because of my heavily illiterated title, I’ve limited myself to just 7 for the purposes of this post! I’m interested though….what are your big no no’s when it comes to sewing? What are the massive faux pas’that you would simply never commit?
Px