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It's probably no secret that I like to sew. But did you know I've been sewing for 30 years and had a great career in the garment industry as designer and pattern maker?
Lately I crave a social sewing experience beyond sharing my makes on social media and commenting. I do not sew for the comments. I sew because I enjoy it, want my garments to fit, and I especially want to know who made my clothes.
In response to this craving and my own interests I started a live sewing stream where other sewists and aspiring sewists can watch while I make something. You can comment, ask questions, request projects or just sit and listen or watch.
I've found it doesn't matter what I'm sewing since the steps to make any garment are useful in others. I choose beginner friendly, intermediate, and advanced projects, items to fill wardrobe holes, and items you request as projects for the Live Stream.
My sewing style may not be for everyone. I don't hold it precious. I like to get it done-'mistakes' and all. I often troubleshoot right at the sewing machine. As I like to say, we're not entering this in to the fair and our sewing teacher won't see the inside. So just relax and try it out; get it done and try it on. All these acts are incredibly useful to your skill building and confidence as a maker.
I hear the frustration in many sewists voices and comments when they attempt their projects. But remember, we typically aren't getting 15 tries at that garment. Expecting perfection on the first and only attempt is a lot to ask of ourselves. And in factories where they make our clothes they don't sew the entire garment from start to finish- he/she sews one small step. Over and over again. Most production factory sewists I've met do not know how to sew a garment from start to finish. So what we're trying to do is difficult.
We probably didn't make a grilled cheese perfectly the first time and most likely didn't hold ourselves to that same level of perfection. We just ate it or tossed it out. Sewing is a bit expensive to just toss the garment and start over. So remember also that we don't do this because it's faster. We can take our time and try things gently. Sure, I know my style is pretty quick. But you'll see how many 'mistakes' I make. There are many ways to get to the same conclusion. And sometimes you just have to try a different path with fewer bumps in the road. And I use my mistakes as an opportunity to get to the same conclusion with different steps. And in time you'll build your skills to find those different paths.
So. Will you join us sometime? We are here for you. We know your passion for this. We know your trepidation. We know your heart and soul (and wallet) are invested in this. And we know you can do it. I know you can do it.
How does it work?
Once you subscribe to my YouTube Channel and you select notifications ON (by clicking the little Bell) you'll get a little notification when I go live ( I stick to a schedule so you can plan but sometimes I surprise stream). Then pop over and hang out and see what we're up to. If you can't make it, don't worry! The entire live video will be uploaded. You can then watch, fast forward, pause and rewind.
So join our little growing community!
*You can find us here: Sew Sew Live on YouTube
*Streaming LIVE on Wednesday's, Thursday's and Saturday's at 11:00 a.m. Pacific. If you subscribe to my YouTube channel, be sure to click the Bell to be notified when I'm live.
If you want to join the chat (and we all hope you do- it is a gentle, friendly group!) just be sure to have an account on YouTube -otherwise known as a Channel.
*You can check out past Streams, short How-To's and complete Sew-Through's on the same YouTube page. And here on my website in the Videos & Garments Tab above.
*Check Sew Sew Live out on Instagram to see the monthly and weekly schedule!
I'm not sure where this is going but I'm enjoying it immensely. I have set Chicken Boots aside and I'll be focusing on Sew Sew 100%. The kind of feedback I'm getting so far is exactly what I was hoping for. People are feeling part of a community of sewists, more confident, and they're sewing more. Now that's the kind of perfection I don't mind achieving.
~Saremy Duffy, October 2018, edited March 2019
