How many years of experience do you have with sewing? What habits and systems have you developed over the years? Some of these systems we have developed due to trial and error, ways to help us to remember, or organize our thoughts.
My system...... I read and highlight my pattern directions.
My system...... I read and highlight my pattern directions.
Benefit number one is that it helps to place me in a sewing frame of mind. Think of it as a stretching session before exercise, a warm up if you will.
It can also help to spur inspiration, the “oh instead of that what about this.....”
It can also help to spur inspiration, the “oh instead of that what about this.....”
My system is simple enough, I use colored pencils and highlighters to remind me of various things.
My colors are:
My colors are:
GREEN: Action! It often highlights how a step should be completed.
YELLOW: Caution! Don't forget! This marking reminds me to slow down, take note.
RED: Stop! Life happens, the text message that suddenly chimes, the pot on the stove that boiled over, the child that ran into the room. All of these events can cause us to overlook or forget to do a basic step, however marking where I left off helps me to refocus when life interrupts.
As you can see my system is easy enough, an old habit I started years ago, that continues to keep me on track today. Let know what systems do you have in place that keep you on track?
As you can see my system is easy enough, an old habit I started years ago, that continues to keep me on track today. Let know what systems do you have in place that keep you on track?
Also if you want to learn more great ideas check out the book by the PattenReview.com called “1000 Clever Sewing Shortcuts and Tips”. Here is a link: https://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/41905
It's a treasure trove of information and inspiration!
Until next the next post, I'll be keeping myself together one stitch at a time.
I've been sewing since 2004. I'd have to sit and think about my sewing habits. Hmm...
ReplyDeleteI know with Burda magazine patterns, I find it helpful to type out the instructions line by line and print or send the file to my tablet. The magazine instructions are notoriously terse and I easily gloss over details if I'm not careful. I recently made a skirt that was more hassle than it should have been because I missed some things.
I understand what you mean, experience can make you gloss over items that deserve a little more time and care. I've never worked with Burda pattern before, I should give one a go, which one would you recommend I try first?
DeleteHmm. That's a good question. Do you want to try envelope or magazine? The envelope patterns include seam allowances; the magazine patterns require tracing and don't include seam or hem allowances. It can be a bit daunting at first. The Burda drafting is fantastic and worth the hassle.
DeleteWhat type of garment would you like to make?
I am definitely digging out a couple of highlighters for this purpose, this is brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI'am glad you like it!
DeleteGreat idea I'll have to try the highlighters :) I just finished reading all your other posts, you have a very pleasant writing style! Looking forward to what you'll make next, I am hoping for the skirt you mentioned on 08/18/15
ReplyDeleteV9130 I think you would look very nice in it.
I am glad you enjoy the blog ☺️! I do need to include more separates such as skirts and tops. I'll check out V9130 ☺️
DeleteI'm not as organized with my highlighting as you are, but I did start at least circling the instructions specific to my project a few sewing projects ago. And it helps a lot. What you do that I really want to copy is add notes to the illustrations. That's brilliant. I also like that you highlight with yellow the parts to which you want to slow down and pay attention - really good idea.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how many others do this, but I take a picture of each page of the pattern instructions with my iPad and, while I do keep the page I'm working on pinned to my cork board, I also refer to the instructions on the iPad, which allows me to zoom in to the step I'm working on; it's helpful when doing hand sewing which I do in the living room, rather than my sewing room. It's also helpful for when you want to easily refer back to a sewing tip.
Great blog; keep up the good work.
The idea of taking a pic of the instructions so that you can punch and zoom is brilliant! I'll have to make that a part of my routine, thanks for stopping by 😊
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