A friend recently asked me how I managed to get so much sewing done – especially with a young child at home. I jokingly said “You know how they say men think about sex every seven seconds? I think about sewing that much.” While everyone knows that “seven seconds” is a myth, it did get me to wondering, is it just me, or am I the only one that thinks about my projects (current and future) that much?
I’ll admit, planning is my favorite part – dreaming up what patterns and fabrics work together, writing patterns and tutorials in my head, figuring out how I’ll add that special touch to a garment… I find myself periodically ‘daydreaming’ about my ‘must-sew list’ and on particularly rough days, fall asleep planning my next project. So, it’s your turn. Confession time. How much you think about sewing?
May 6, 2011, 07.56 AMby Kelsey Edwards
constantly
Apr 17, 2011, 03.08 PMby zsyzu
I think about sewing obsessively. It’s a hobby I’m sure my boyfriend is probably getting worried about.
Apr 17, 2011, 04.34 AMby sewshar
I’m new to sewing but I can’t seem to get enough of it!! I’ve managed to finish a few projects yeahhh! ;) It’s impossible for me to walk empty handed from a fabric store.. from fabrics, patterns, books/magazines … you name it, I gotta have it. I’ve claimed a corner in the kids playroom into my own sewing space.. it’s my “happy place” :)
Apr 13, 2011, 01.53 PMby urbanseamstress
Gosh, this is fun! I think about sewing all the time, really, every 7 seconds sounds like an understatement ;) Sewing is in my mind when I wake up in the morning and it’s the last thing I think about when I fall asleep at night.
I am a PhD student working from home, and sewing is a kind of therapy for me: for whatever reason I do my best thinking whilst sitting behind my sewing machine. Of course, all that thinking would be infinitely more useful if it ever got recorded in the form of a scientific article or something, but unfortunately I’m not THAT great at multitasking ;) I am thoroughly obsessed with sewing and an inordinate amount of my time is spent instead reading sewing blogs or websites, especially since I’ve picked up an interest in corsetry and period clothing. I have no inclination watsoever towards reenacting, but I’m just totally fascinated by the challenge of incorporating historical shapes and techniques into my otherwise modern wardrobe.
When I meet my husband in the city centre for lunch — which is pretty much every day, — I almost always drop by my favourite fabric store on my way back. Most of those times I don’t even buy anything (my fabric stash is driving my husband — and myself ;) — to distraction already), but I just have to quickly browse through all those potential gems, feel those luscious textures, get geared up for my “next” next project.
They’re simply always there: the inspiration, the ideas, the sheer desire to create something. When I can’t sew, I go crazy. I quickly begin to feel “trapped” and restless, then drained of creativity and energy, both physically and intellectually. I guess I am a sew-a-holic … ;)
Apr 13, 2011, 04.40 AMby The Tropical Sewist
oh my I’m not the only one! I dream about sewing projects whenever my mind isn’t occupied with actually thinking about work and kids. That is, a lot!
I love dreaming of garments and how I’ll modify/personalize them. I’m trying very hard not to think about sewing while driving, but even that is hard!
I’m so pre-occupied with all the sewing dreaming I don’t even need radios, or mp3s!
Apr 13, 2011, 02.34 AMby joybells
Yeah, I’ll add my agreement to that one! I do think about sewing a LOT. I love to sew and there really doesn’t ever seem to be enough time in the day to get what I have planned in my creative little head made into an actual garment. I do constantly start new projects (confession: without having finished the last one!). :) It’s a lot of fun. I did however decide awhile ago that – because this is a hobby, it comes without pressure. If I get things finished, great. If not, that’s alright too. :)
Apr 12, 2011, 09.43 PMby vanninja
I totally feel much more normal reading this. I feel like I’m constantly thinking, planning, even drafting in my head!
Apr 12, 2011, 08.24 PMby nyphertiti
Alot! When I’m shopping I’m thinking about how I can make what I see on the racks. When I’m at my day job and have a little down time, I instantly start thinking about what I’m going to create next. And on the rare occasions that I work out, I do it right in front of the cabinet where I keep my fabric stash. So, while I’m doing sit-ups and leg lifts, I stare at all my fabric and dream about the incredible projects I have yet to make. It’s non-stop~
1 Reply
May 6, 2011, 08.02 AMby Kelsey Edwards
lol i was shown this blog in my year 11 english class last year and now every time i go to write a lot as alot or see alot written i ALWAYS think of this blog, take a look (:
http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/04/alot-is-better-than-you-at-everything.html
Apr 12, 2011, 03.24 PMby sonstyle
Ok I thought I was the only one that thinks of sewing this much. ha ha ha. Very cute. :)
Apr 12, 2011, 01.30 PMby anuchka
Oh my, oh my!!! We are all pretty addicted here.
Apr 12, 2011, 01.07 PMby rshelly13
I have been so focused on my sewing projects lately that they appear in my dreams. This makes me feel that I think about sewing even when I should be resting. I love it though. I have created some very bizarre garments in those dreams that I may not have been able to make in real life:)
Apr 12, 2011, 12.40 PMby marina74
Every seven seconds is pretty close!! I think about projects all the time, too! looking through my fabric stash, trying to find the right fabric for a new sewing project. Looking through 10 years of sewing mags. And still buying new ones every month. Right now i’m also trying to make some sort of database on my laptop to make it easier to find a pattern. All the comments sound very familiar. It is pretty crazy sometimes, buying a new magazine when you haven’t even made al the things you wanted to make from the last magazine, buying new fabrics when you haven’t even used the ones you have lying around. After 3 years of sewing in the livingroom i finally have my own sewingroom again (we moved to a smaller house 3 years ago), but i can only just fit all of my things (fabric, books etc. etc, which were all over the house and in the shed before!!) into my room. So in the next few months i’m going to try NOT to buy any new fabrics and just use the bits i allready have……. so…… next sunday there’s a big, and i mean BIG fabric-market in my home-town…… WISH ME LUCK!!!!
Apr 12, 2011, 12.23 PMby Natasha Venzke
I think about sewing a lot. I was thinking about fabric I got recently and how I’m going to use it while I was falling asleep last night :) Now all I need is to get myself to work as much as I think about it.
Apr 12, 2011, 12.12 PMby farahajh
Well at least I am not alone…
I guess we are all only normal in the BurdaStyle world.
Apr 12, 2011, 11.30 AMby iroiro
This post makes me laugh – I also think of nothing else, to the detriment of my family and friends! Every second alternates…what’s my next sewing project…how can I use that fabric…I love that detailing, maybe I can do that soon…argh it even annoys me sometimes!
Most girls my age are thinking about parties and boys. Well, those things too occupy my mind, but let’s just say sewing is my obssession;)
Apr 12, 2011, 10.55 AMby hdk100
Thank God, all these comments comfort me, because I can see now, that I’m not alone. I thought there was something wrong with me… :) Before falling asleep I plan the next steps with my ongoing project. Daytime goes by with planning new projects. That list will take a lifetime, I guess… I’m really envious of those still at home with their babies, that was sewing heaven for me. (My son took long naps back then…) HA!
Apr 12, 2011, 10.19 AMby nikkishell
Every day is spent thinking about and talking about sewing. Working in a fabric store as wonderful as Tessuti doesn’t help matters! But i’m ok with that ;)
Apr 12, 2011, 09.28 AMby squiddlepop
Im slightly different…i’m constantly thinking of sketches i can do on new designs, except by the time i can a pencil and some paper I forgot what I was going to draw… lol :)
Apr 12, 2011, 09.04 AMby sabrina
Every day! Sometimes I feel that there isn’t much more for me to learn, then up turns a load of new stuff! I read a sewing book everyday and before bed I either read again, or watch something do to with sewing. Sometimes I even dream about sewing. : )
When I was little I watched Beatrix Potter’s ‘The Tailor of Gloucestershire’ and I liked the sewing stuff in it, like how the cut fabric looked. My favourite episode of Bagpuss was the one with the loom.
Apr 12, 2011, 08.58 AMby loulourosa
I think about sewing all the time too. Making plans for future projects, looking for patterns, browsing trough my old pattern books, Looking for fabric. Also when I’m on holiday, or when I visit friends. For me it is frustrating not to have more time to sew, I became ill three years ago, and sewing is only possible when I’m feeling good, the time I’m not feeling good I think about sewing :-)
Apr 12, 2011, 08.39 AMby ghainskom
Permanently! In fact, I should stop thinking about it and actually sew something!
Apr 12, 2011, 08.27 AMby bohemiannow
I think about sewing all the time. I secretly read sewing blogs at work. I read sewing instructions before i go to bed. I go through my stash to keep in mind every fabric option. I’m mentaly sewing millions of dresses and maching accessories, I’ve started a blog in my mind and i’m letting all of you know my sewing adventures, I inspect peoples coats and garments, to determine fabric quality and pattern, I see a pattern in every garment hangging at the stores and I buy only the ones i cant make. I think I’m obsessed.
Apr 11, 2011, 06.05 PMby suzeb
I think about sewing allll the time too. I also have a young daughter and I find myself constantly drifting to the planning of a project and calculating how many steps I can fit into naptime. Like: “if I can finish the collar and then hem in under an hour, I’ll still have time to sort laundry…”
Apr 11, 2011, 05.37 PMby Kae33
I think about various projects all the time. I think about when I can work on a project, what new projects I will add to my queue and in what order I will work on them.
Apr 11, 2011, 04.42 PMby mariso
Hahaha – love this post! I think about sewing almost continuously too. I love to read sewing blogs, scout thrift stores for fabric inspirations, read sewing books, teach sewing to my new students……it is pretty much sewing 24×7 around here. Except maybe during gardening season…
Maris Olsen http://semaris.com
Apr 11, 2011, 04.30 PMby nellyvdb
All day, I think about sewing all the time, verging on an obsession. I only started sewing 6 months ago, and ever since, I can’t focus on work :S. For me it’s 99% thinking, dreaming, planning, and 1% actual sewing, as I work full time and have a husband, and a 3 year old boy whose eternal demand is “mamma, play with me, play with meeeeee”, so I am always daydreaming. Even when I am talking to anyone, I’m looking at their clothes thinking “mmm, can I make that? how do you finish a hem like that, what kind of shape do I need to make that sleeve look like that, etc. etc. etc.”
Glad to know I’m kind of normal in the Burdastyle world :)
Apr 11, 2011, 04.01 PMby qsogirl
You’re definitely not the only one! I think about my projects all the time— both sewing and scrapbooking and everything in between :)
Apr 11, 2011, 03.52 PMby palebluestars
alllllllll the time! and mostly when im at work and cant sew. thats the worst b/c all i do is think about all the projects i would like to be working on. but it is always on my mind. on my bedside table i have books about sewing, magazines about sewing, new patterns… that way i even dream about sewing ;)