A few days ago, I was sitting at my usual table in Starbucks journalling when one of the women who comes in regularly stopped and said you know we're all jealous. I laughed and said yes, it certainly does look pretty doesn't it? and then gave her the story-in-a-sentence of how I came to be in this space. She offered a sympathetic I'm sorry and we went on to discuss art and fashion. One short sentence is enough. I have no desire to be any more overwhelmed by my situation than necessary. I prefer to dwell on the silver lining.
In our last coaching session, Diane asked me where I felt all the assignments we are working on together are taking me. I see them as prep work. They will eventually have another purpose that will make itself known when the time is right BUT... right now... their purpose is the silver lining of my current situation. It is the time to explore who I am personally and creatively, how I can live joyfully, how I can enjoy life more fully, and how I can use my skills and abilities to benefit both myself and others. That's a hugely wonderful gift. Unlike in years past, I'm not writing a book, developing a workshop, putting together a pattern, instructing a class, travelling to teach, creating an exhibit collection, or any other "career" oriented tasks. Instead, I'm in the midst of an opportunity to learn about myself on multiple levels and this is good.
And... I love the conversation that sharing what I'm learning generates. The feedback on my greyish-pink versus paisley versus turned-inside-out tops was fun. This topic of who we are and how we dress and how to express ourselves through fashion is never ending. It's one of those "many black notes" subjects as I call them where every bit of learning simply leads to another level and you're unlikely to exhaust the subject. When you have the opportunity to share a passion with others who love that same passion and whose eyes don't glaze over and roll back, how doubly delightful. In the comments, Neufy mentioned Dressing Your Truth and of course I just had to explore that lead. FASCINATING..
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There are videos so I could knit while I listened. I'm working on a bright pink scarf to go with the fabric I'm using for the out of print McCall's 6515 pants. So far, it's a great pattern that's coming together easily. I worked on the pants yesterday morning after I...
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... accidentally cut off the extra 2" on my top. Oops... shhhh... don't tell Diane. Here's what happened...
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First, I spent quite a few hours pinning up the top in different formations. Quite a few. Like four or five. I'd put rows of pins in and then take them out and try new rows of pins and then adjust them and adjust them again only to take them out again. It was a never ending pin dance. I'd like aspects like the front and back above and really dislike...
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... other aspects like the sides especially when the asymmetrical angle was completely lost. I decided instead to create one larger tuck to mimic the hemline and maintain the simplicity of the design.
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The "fat" tuck turned the corner relatively well. There was a little bit of gathering underneath but nothing that showed ugly on the surface only the resulting top was very sticky-outy at that side. It lost it's gracefulness. I wore it around the studio for an hour and found that I kept trying to smooth out the hip so...
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... I decided to remove one inch at the hemline and then make two smaller tucks above that. Not wanting to lose the hemline shape, I started by fusing another 1" strip of interfacing above the hem. And then I cut below it, folded it up, pressed it in place and went oh... oops... I just took two inches off which left me with no inches to tuck up. SIGH... and I was enjoying the assignment so I will...
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... do what makes me happy and try again. Next time, I plan to work on the tucks before sewing the garment pieces together. It's a different assignment but the point here is for me to be creative and tucks - made no matter when - sound like a lot of fun PLUS... I can then take the tucks up into the bodice AND... incorporate vertical not just horizontal tucks. This is all good - the oops becoming ah ha.
Talk soon - Myrna
Grateful - I can try try again
In our last coaching session, Diane asked me where I felt all the assignments we are working on together are taking me. I see them as prep work. They will eventually have another purpose that will make itself known when the time is right BUT... right now... their purpose is the silver lining of my current situation. It is the time to explore who I am personally and creatively, how I can live joyfully, how I can enjoy life more fully, and how I can use my skills and abilities to benefit both myself and others. That's a hugely wonderful gift. Unlike in years past, I'm not writing a book, developing a workshop, putting together a pattern, instructing a class, travelling to teach, creating an exhibit collection, or any other "career" oriented tasks. Instead, I'm in the midst of an opportunity to learn about myself on multiple levels and this is good.
And... I love the conversation that sharing what I'm learning generates. The feedback on my greyish-pink versus paisley versus turned-inside-out tops was fun. This topic of who we are and how we dress and how to express ourselves through fashion is never ending. It's one of those "many black notes" subjects as I call them where every bit of learning simply leads to another level and you're unlikely to exhaust the subject. When you have the opportunity to share a passion with others who love that same passion and whose eyes don't glaze over and roll back, how doubly delightful. In the comments, Neufy mentioned Dressing Your Truth and of course I just had to explore that lead. FASCINATING..
There are videos so I could knit while I listened. I'm working on a bright pink scarf to go with the fabric I'm using for the out of print McCall's 6515 pants. So far, it's a great pattern that's coming together easily. I worked on the pants yesterday morning after I...
... accidentally cut off the extra 2" on my top. Oops... shhhh... don't tell Diane. Here's what happened...
First, I spent quite a few hours pinning up the top in different formations. Quite a few. Like four or five. I'd put rows of pins in and then take them out and try new rows of pins and then adjust them and adjust them again only to take them out again. It was a never ending pin dance. I'd like aspects like the front and back above and really dislike...
... other aspects like the sides especially when the asymmetrical angle was completely lost. I decided instead to create one larger tuck to mimic the hemline and maintain the simplicity of the design.
The "fat" tuck turned the corner relatively well. There was a little bit of gathering underneath but nothing that showed ugly on the surface only the resulting top was very sticky-outy at that side. It lost it's gracefulness. I wore it around the studio for an hour and found that I kept trying to smooth out the hip so...
... I decided to remove one inch at the hemline and then make two smaller tucks above that. Not wanting to lose the hemline shape, I started by fusing another 1" strip of interfacing above the hem. And then I cut below it, folded it up, pressed it in place and went oh... oops... I just took two inches off which left me with no inches to tuck up. SIGH... and I was enjoying the assignment so I will...
... do what makes me happy and try again. Next time, I plan to work on the tucks before sewing the garment pieces together. It's a different assignment but the point here is for me to be creative and tucks - made no matter when - sound like a lot of fun PLUS... I can then take the tucks up into the bodice AND... incorporate vertical not just horizontal tucks. This is all good - the oops becoming ah ha.
Talk soon - Myrna
Grateful - I can try try again
If things don't work out the way you want, hold your head up high and be proud. And try again. And again. And again.
- Sarah Dessen