Hi Everyone!  I wanted to share with you what I learned from writing and producing my own pattern fitting series.  Other than the obvious things like writing, photo editing, and committing to an 8 week series, my eyes were opened to something I hadn’t thought about before.  This was a Monumental Task for me and I’m happy I did it and very proud of what I produced especially when I read great comments and messages from YOU.   I learned a great deal from YOU my readers that sent emails and private messages as well as a woman I met at Jo~ann Fabric’s that was kind enough to share her interesting perspective on “fitting” in general.

What I learned from her was rather startling and not something I necessarily expected.  I learned that there is a psychology to sewing!!  I went into producing this series thinking that there just really wasn’t great “user friendly” information about fitting out in the market place.  I’ve read many threads on message boards with complaint after complaint about how frustrating fitting can be.  I’ve never participated in classes on fitting or in any of those seminars that I read about others attending.  I’ve spoken with a friend that attends those classes through the ASG that they pay large sums of money and later are still disappointed in many cases.  That’s what motivated me.  The idea of helping others get back to doing what they say they LOVE, Sewing for themselves!!    
 
Personally, I started hand embroidery at the age of 4.  I found creating through the art of embroidery amazing even at that young age.  Taking colored threads and using a needle to create designs on pillow cases and table cloths were what we did as a family.  I remember my pride in the finished pieces and how my Mother and Grandmother would Smile.  So my natural progression was to learn to sew on a sewing machine soon after, which I did.  As I approached high school and beyond I continued to sew even when it was unpopular.  I always thought of sewing as completely liberating and a wonderful way for self expression.  It always gave me a good feeling to wear something I’d made, especially if I got compliments.  After graduating college with a degree in Fashion Design I went into the Bridal Industry.  Still, I knew nothing but sheer JOY in the Art of Bridal Design.  Designing gowns that would be worn for the most special day in a girls life was exciting to me.  I not only enjoyed my career, but I also continued to enjoy sewing for myself. 
 

It wasn’t until much later that I became aware of  others having frustrations with sewing.  I knew that being disappointed it can also lead to frustration.  HOWEVER I thought that the frustration stemmed  from not being able to fit patterns and thus not being happy with the finished garment after spending time, effort and money.  In writing this series, many have shared with me in private emails and messages that this was in fact the case for them.  However, I also learned from one woman that there is also a much deeper problem to address. I began this series not wanting to call “fitting issues”  PROBLEMS.  By calling something a “PROBLEM”, we automatically attach something negative to it and it becomes an issue we take personally.  After speaking to the woman in Jo~ann Fabrics on the subject of “fitting”, I learned that there is more to the story.  I learned that “fitting” really isn’t the only issue for some of you.  As this kind soul shared, she used to sew EVERYTHING for she and her family.  As she got older, her body changed.  So I asked her if that was the reason she stopped sewing, that she had a hard time fitting her new shape?  She said NO.  She could fit her new shape just fine, it was that she didn’t like the way she looked in her sewn garments.  She’s unhappy with herself and that she never had to deal with these issues when she was younger.  I was shocked in what she revealed to me.  The root of the problem is that she’s unhappy with her body and doesn’t enjoying the process of sewing for herself any longer.

I was somewhat blown away by her candid admission and although I don’t think that everyone feels this way, I can only take in what I learned and share it with YOU, my readers.  Are there others that are avoiding the enjoyment of sewing because they’re unhappy with themselves? It was particularly sad for me to hear this because I get so much enjoyment out of my craft as well as teaching.  I never thought there was a psychology to sewing other than the sheer joy I feel in creating something myself.  In light of learning this information, I asked myself this question.  “Do I feel I wasted my time writing and producing this series to help people?”.  The answer is simply put, NO.  I’ve received so many nice comments and support from many of you that I feel confident that my efforts were helpful and appreciated.  I feel there are reasons for everything we do and even though there may be others that feel unhappy about sewing for themselves, not all of you do.  

So in closing, I’m grateful for writing and learning through this series, but at the same time a little sad that some people may feel unhappy with sewing for themselves.  I certainly hope that she was in the minority with her view of sewing.  I can’t solve those issues for anyone.  They have to be worked out by the individual, in their own time frame, through their own efforts.  What I can and will continue to offer is good information to those that may change their minds and work through their issues.  I will be here when they are ready and want to rejoin us and enjoy the art of sewing once again.  I will always cheer everyone on, encourage you with your creations and continue to push your creativity to a new level.