I seem to be caught between a rock and a hard place....I am thinking of getting a new sewing instructor...if I do this it will be my third in the last two years...I don't know the first was way too slow and expensive...and this one is a little irritating...plus she makes me feel inadequate...ever since I got her as an instructor...I have been very anxious and insecure about my abilities too sew... plus every time we talk I find that we don't have anything in common...she seems to be in another state of mind...it could be because of her experience as a designer and a seamstress...but I am not impressed....I want someone who is down to earth and have the patience and ability too help get the work done for a reasonable price... maybe I am asking too much...but I don't want to be discouraged, especially doing something I truly love......every time I look at the sewing machine I get upset or just depressed because I don't know if I could master this craft...I used too love it, I used too love the process of making something just for me...now I am confused and upset...it could be other things that are getting too me...but that's what I had sewing for too help me relax and just let go for the moment...and I think she is taking that away from me....
What's frustrating me the most is that damn maroon dress....I cut the crap out myself so we are bound to get into some kind of trouble...but damn!!!! I didn't think it would take us this long too get the top together...but it's getting there...and the bolero jacket is still in the construction process...I think I will replace after these two projects... hopefully I will get it right this time..
Well that's all for right now...
A.S.
7 comments:
Kick your instructor to the curb! You deserve to have a good instructor that fits your learning style and matches your vibe.
I have never had an instructor, well apart from form 2 school(11 years old) where I made a pyjama case for my mum. Maybe looking at sewing as a fun hobby and not a life or death struggle will help you to enjoy the process so you do more of it and get better just through practice. Sometimes we stress ourselves out so much we paralyse ourselves ... smiles ... just a thought ... I hope you keep going and it becomes fun again.
My mother introduced me to sewing but I am pretty much self-taught. There is a ton of free information on the internet about sewing. Lately, I've been taking on line classes at Patternreview.com. I used Ebay to collect books about fit and sewing to learn new techniques at a reasonable cost. There are two sites that I recommend that you visit: Patternreview & stitcher's guild. These are on-line sewing communities where there is a lot of help with learning to sew. Check out the American Sewing Guild (ASG.org) to see if there is a chapter close to you. See if the chapter focus is garment sewing or quilting. This is another way of getting support learning to sew.
It seems that you are struggling mainly with fitting issues. See if you can find a dressmaker to make a basic sloper for you. You can then use it to adjust commercial patterns. Take the time to make test garments (muslins) to test new patterns. This saves a lot of frustration and fashion fabric. I buy muslin by the bolt with 40% off coupons at Joann's. Start out with simple basic garments to get the fit that you want and to build your confidence.
I learned to use computer drafting pattern software to deal with my fitting issues. It was/is a steep learning curve but worth the journey. My list of wadders has decreased but I learned to make muslins everytime I try a new pattern. Good luck and enjoy sewing.
Thankyou ladies for the kind words and support.
I just hppened across your blog an don't have one of my own yet but I am in the same position. I have a mother sho came to this country as a seamtress and made her living as such for a long time. I have been trying to learn the craft for a long time with inadequate instructors. I recently tried to start the craft again 2 years ago and bought a machine that the price would choke a horse and the place where I got it gives free sewing lessons when you buy a machine and the instructor is nice enough but she has her projects for her church and other things she is doing and a 1 hour lesson turns into 3 hours with nothing accomplished and leaves me frustrated and I am left alone with a stash of fabric, thread and not a clue.
@Anonymous...
Wow! that is extremely frustrating...This is why I rather pay someone...than have too put up with that...Hopefully you will find someone who is able to help you than too waste your time.
Get you a new instructor that will make you love sewing again! :)
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