Burda Style For people who sew

I’m in a rut. I have all the right machines. All the right tools. And I can’t seem to push myself to sewing. HELPP!!!!

Sep 3, 2009, 01.11 AM by Stephanie Taylor

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7 Posts

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  Sep 3, 2009, 03.46 AMby ealis

  I know how you feel, Fashiond07. Four months ago I felt llike such a fraud. I had a brand-new sewing machine ( a X-mas gift) sitting in my sewing room and tons of fabric, but no motivation to unpack it all and get sewing. But then two co-workers announced that their wives were expecting summer babies, so I committed myself to supplying homemade baby quilts, that got the sewing juice flowing. Then my brother and son asked me to do some alterations, and that kept my mojo going. After finishing all the sewing for them I took a good look at my room and closet and realized there were things I wanted to do for me. So sewing for others was just the push I needed. Check with friends and family, helping them will help you help yourself!
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  Sep 3, 2009, 01.38 PMby mickeygirl

  Maybe you can take a class. I was always really tired after work. When I took a class it really forced me to get away from the tv and go out and sew. When I got to class, I was not tired anymore.

  It just depends on how “goal oriented” you tend to be. If you are planning a sewing project for a gift or to wear for a special occassion — you have a goal and a deadline. Often projects are goals but there is no deadline so we tend to put them away when we get bored or frustrated.

  Taking a class also means there are other people there to help you with the problems, give you some inspiration and just praise when you finish something that looks great and fits.

  I think sewing clubs would also be good but there are none where I live.
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  Sep 4, 2009, 08.49 AMby katexxxxxx

  Browse through all the online pattern books (there are a lot more than just Butterick, McCalls, Vogue and Sim-licity and Burda).

  Grab pix of the things you really like, even if they are way beyond your skill level at present.

  Go and browse some fabric pix. Try to match fabrics with the garments you have chosen… Don’t worry if they are not exactly what the pattern envelope recommends.

  Grab any fabrics you really like the look of as well.

  This will help to tell you what sort of thing you want to sew and the types and patterns of fabrics you like to use.

  For example, I utterly adore this pattern: http://www.jpryan.com/details/petenlair.htm

  And this fantastic silk taffeta: http://www.pongees.co.uk/silk/fashion/regal-taffeta-11

  And would dearly love to marry the two together.

  I also adore this coat pattern: http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/V1083.htm?tab=vintage_vogue&page=1

  And want to make it in this wool: http://www.hainsworth.co.uk/apparel-fabrics/authentic-costume-fabrics/superfine

  I love the purple and the scarlet…

  Go and play… And see what inspires you!
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  Sep 4, 2009, 01.07 PMby wzrdreams

  I like to browse online on at the pattern websites as well, but the thing that really get’s my mojo goinng is looking at retail sites like ShopBop or Net-a-Porter… when you see how simple some of that stuff is and how much they are charging for it, I get motivated to make it for less. It’s a personal dare. I don’t really end up trying to knock stuff off directly, but all the inspiration helps to get creative with my own patterns and fabric stash.
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  Sep 6, 2009, 02.21 PMby tejka

  i had the same problems, but the worse thing was that it happened to me because of my teacher. i was in a last year on fashion design and we had an old lady who used to be a fashion designer once. the thing was, that her style and mine didn’t go along. she didn’t like patterns and i had problems with every collection that i had drawn. so i just stopped…and couldn’t go forward anymore…than after 2 years i found myself again, because of my sister. she needed a new jacket and decided to ask me. at first i was a bit afraid, but than i felt like my head and my mind got opened and i enjoyed in every moment:D i suggest u maybe to take a break or to find alternative like doing jewellery and than start again by browsing like kate and wzrdreams said. but never give up! and stay creative!
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  Sep 9, 2009, 04.04 PMby florean-fortescue

  With the sewing side, sometimes you just have to make yourself just go do it. Try and find a project your passionate about. If you need inspiration for original designs, always look to past fashion, and not just the 20th century either, works for me anyhow. Or maybe you should go to your local shop and find some fabric or a pattern you really want to work with. good luck!
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  Sep 9, 2009, 07.07 PMby badkitty-1

  I know how you feel! I have a house full of patterns waiting to be made up, more fabric than the average store and more machines than a woman has a right to lying around but for the past few weeks I have had sewing block :( I have decided to set myself a challenge. I have been collecting Burda WOF mag for the past 8 years and have almost every issue since then but have only ever made one dress (for a friend) out of them. I have started to look through the most recent ones and am going to make something out of every one from this year as a start. I started today by using my lunchbreak at work to trace out the patterns and will finish them off at night. Maybe you could do something similar or join a sew-along to get you back into the swing of things and get your sewing mojo back? Good Luck!