For the Love of Patterns

First of all, a HUGE thank you to all of you who wrote in and offered to be pattern testers and/or gave me words of encouragement.  I loved getting your emails and blog comments about having tested my tutorials and all the nice things you had to say.  I'm glad those tutorials are being put to good use!  It was so fun to hear from all of you.  And Morgen, I had to chuckle about the end of your comment RE "appearing human" and "super powers".  Those who know me well would be able to assure you that I am the humanest of humans and about as far from having super powers as a zucchini has the ability to morph into a butterfly.

While I acknowledge and am very grateful for the God-given visual talents which I have worked to magnify in my life, I can assure you that my list of faults could extend to the moon and back.  Which is why it especially bothers me when I hear a friend or acquaintance (half jokingly) burst out with things like "I hate you!  You're way too talented - it's just not fair!" or "I can't stand to read your blog - it makes me so mad to see all the things you can do!"  These types of phrases make me uncomfortable because  A) I'm not trying to make anyone feel badly by striving to achieve my goals and dreams as an artist and designer;  B) I am well aware of how many character flaws I have and I don't like to be resented as one who has an easy life or unfair advantage in life because those assumptions are simply not true;  C) How am I supposed to respond to that?  Do they want me to just quit trying to develop the talents I've been given so others won't feel badly?  I try really hard to teach skills and inspire those who are interested in letting creativity bless their lives to a greater degree, because I feel it's my duty and privilege to do so.  It's my way of "giving back" and helping others share in the joy of creativity and appreciation of what is beautiful in this world. 

Not to mention the fact that there are millions of people out there who happen to have talents and strengths that I would love to have been "gifted with" but this way we can all work together and build on eachother's strengths.  Heaven help the world if I were ever required to take a job in chemical engineering or building a skyscraper (I don't like wearing goggles, and welding I-beams while 100 feet in the air is just not my thing).  But seriously, the bottom line is that we all have talents.  And the nice thing is that, if there's something we're really passionate about doing but we're not good at it yet, with a huge amount of practice and determination we'll eventually get there.

So to Morgen and all the other supportive, appreciative people out there, thank you so much for sending me words of encouragement.  Like every other human being, I experience a lot of self-doubt, worry, stress, and discouragement.  Plenty of things have not gone as planned or hoped for in my life, both personally and professionally, and I've done (and continue to do) lots of stumbling around despite what I may present here in this blog.  But the only option is to "KEEP MOVING FORWARD" (a favorite line from one of my very favorite movies, Meet the Robinsons) and try and learn from my mistakes and improve.  Easier said than done, yes.  But very necessary.

ANYWAY....not sure how I got on that tangent.  Oh yes - lots of nice people telling me how happy they would be to test my first pattern.  How is a girl to choose from all of you?!

 

I've thought about it a lot and have decided that, this time around, I'll just go down the list and choose the first 6 people plus a beginner seamstress.  So, if you see your name below shoot me an email (click the Contact Me button in my sidebar and if that doesn't work leave me a comment and I'll email you) with your snailmail address and I'll send a pattern to you.  I must confess I haven't even had a chance to take my disk to a printer yet - this week has been insanely busy with all the kid's activities and some other projects I'm working on.  Driving to one printer only to have it be closed for the day, then trying to drive to another and taking the wrong road ( meaning forced onto freeway traffic during rush hour with no exit for miles) doesn't help either.  Neither does having 3 kids in tow who do not enjoy sitting in the van and make that fact abundantly clear at very high decibel levels. Tomorrow, tomorrow, there's always tomorrow....

So here's the list:

Karen B.  (mini clutch)

Jill (jumbo tote)

Sarah E. (grey clutch)

Sharon N. (red tote)

Jillian M. (custom bag)

Edith (messenger bag)

Ruth B. (beginner category = your choice)

So today was class #2 for my Fast Track sewing students.  After spending 40 minutes choosing fabric, and then staying after for an hour and a half past normal class ending time, they emerged victoriously sporting their new aprons.  They did a great job, eh?  It was so fun to hear them squeal with excitement as the finishing touches on the waistband made the whole project come together in the end.  (You can make one, too, with the Reversible Apron tutorial in my sidebar)

I'm learning that, like always, the expected timeline for completion of a project is much longer than originally anticipated.  At least I'm consistent in my calculations, right?

Speaking of patterns, isn't the design of this dahlia just gorgeous?  I picked these from my garden and put them in a little vase to brighten up my kitchen.  They sure do the trick.  Nothing like fresh flowers to gladden the heart and inspire the creative part of the mind. 

 
  

Comments

[Karen]

AMEN! I get the "I hate you" and "You're so talented" and "I wish I could do half of what you do" ALL THE TIME and it really makes me uncomfortable! I just tell people that I just do what I love to do and because I love to do it I make time for it.

[Verity]

Shelley, it's been a while since I peeked in on your blog. I found you again via Linda's blog. Every time I read your posts and all the beautiful pictures, I feel invigorated and happy--I certainly don't hate you! :) Thanks for all you do. I'm sad we're not in VA because I'd be signing my daughter up for your sewing class RIGHT NOW! :)

[Joy]

So sad I didn't make the list but I guess I will just have to buy the patterns when they come out! You are amazing and I don't hate you! I love reading all your ideas and will be forever grateful you took the time to help me learn how to sew that skirt. Really you opened my eyes to how much I love sewing. Can't stop now. Thanks again.

[Jayneofall]

Shelley, please know that reading your blog gives me inspiration and a needed energy boost- I have a lot of desire and talent but my procrastination gets the better of me and I end up with an overwhelming pile of jobs to do and the joy is gone from the task. So funny, I hate to put things off but ALWAYS do it.

Did I ever mention that I have made hundreds of your fabric bookmarks? Well, maybe not hundreds, but quite a few... we gave them to the entire staff of my school one year with a little poem for Christmas, I made them with students as a fun activity in a tutoring program I do part time, I always have one on hand to put in a book if I am giving it as a gift. I truly love your ideas and feel blessed that you share them so we can all benefit, and (just a little) strive to be more like you.

[Aimee Thompson]

Oh my! I love your blog! It is so inspirational! I live in Scotland and am really into scrapbooking. I have always wanted to get into the sewing side of things - but just never really knew what to make. I always just thought clothes...but from looking at your blog, I have been filled me with so many more great ideas...your ideas that is! haha. I am so excitement and I cannot wait to begin making these things! They are all so beautiful! I have noticed a few times that you have written in relation to patterns...do you have patterns for the little 'ribbon drawstring pouch', 'open pocket pouch', 'mini wallet' etc? Or do I just follow the tutorials on your blog? Me being me, I am a total perfectionist and just want to make sure I get all the measurements perfect etc. So just wanted to check if you have patterns and where I can get hold of them. I hope to hear from you soon. Thanks again for your inspirational blog. It is much appreciated :) Kindest regards, Aimee.