The other day I made a quick little skirt. That morning N mentioned pompoms and I vaguely recalled that a skirt-a dress-a something with pompoms had been in demand for quite some time. So after I put baby M down for his afternoon nap I got to work. By the time he woke up (an hour and half later) there was a skirt.
N wore it immediately to an afternoon tea party that we were heading out for, and for some reason I felt like I had accomplished sewing that felt meaningful to me after a really long time.
Which brings me to sharing some things that I have been thinking about recently. Lately everything just feel like a rush. Whatever little time I get from M, I want to spend it with N, which leaves too little time to embark on anything. Actually perhaps what I am really talking about here is energy. Baby M goes to sleep, we eat dinner, N goes to bed and then all I want to do is lie on the sofa and watch meaningless TV before crashing out. With what I do manage to get done, I feel like I am not really into it. I guess what I saying is that, one the one hand I am eager and almost desperate to sew, but on the other hand, when it actually comes down to doing it, the word that comes to mind is “chore.” And the minute I actually think that, I feel, no-no-no that is all wrong, it is not meant to be like this, because really it is the one thing that gives me so much joy.
So I tried to figure out what some of the issues are. And perhaps it is these: I plan very little because I enjoy spontaneous sewing and embarking on a project. Which means that when I can’t plan I hardly sew anything that feels new or challenging to me. Again because that would require some planning. And then sometimes things stay in my head for so long that by the time I actually get down to do it they are over-thought and don’t seem all that exciting any more.
What to do? My couple of new year resolutions then I think are going somewhere along these lines. 1. Think of something new, previously un-made for every few weeks or perhaps every month and really plan this well in terms of what each step really consists of. 2. Keep working space clean, so that the next time I have a bit of time I can get into things quickly (otherwise clearing up last times mess takes forever!) 3. Hand sewing projects (which in any case I love) to accompany the meaningless TV watching. 4.And, if present mood demands a quick gratification project, give into that demand rather than getting caught up in a situation where I spend a huge time feeling indecisive about whether to indulge in this small quick thing or to work on the larger project.
Which essentially means I want to have three things going on at one time:
- large (as I see new, and for that reason possibly a time consuming) project
- hand sewing something
- instant gratification project (as and when the mood strikes).
Somehow writing this down feels much better, and not so complicated.
And perhaps this skirt came out of such quick and unconscious acting upon that itch to stitch and make something fast. I have to say, love it as much as N does!
The pattern I had in mind is the Lazy Day’s Skirt from Oliver+S, which I have used before but which I admit to not consulting at all this time. It is essentially two rectangles stitched up. I added a separate hem facing at the bottom and encased the pompom ribbon between the two layers of fabric. The fabric is Lotta Jansdotter, but I am afraid I don’t remember what it is called anymore.
So that’s that from me for this last week. Oh yes, and I also finally sent out my Secret Valentine Exchange package. Did you get a chance to participate?
Putting it together didn’t come so easy this time, but that’s for another time.
So, how do you organise sewing, or motivate yourself when time and energy seem to be on a wane?
Asmita/xo
Love this post Asmita! I think we all get into this rut sometimes. Much as I love sewing clothes for my daughter, after a point I feel like an elf doing bonded labour!
I have now realized that I have to switch things up a bit to keep my sewing mojo going. So I am venturing into sewing different kinds of things, and for different people (yes, it’s going to be your turn at last, dear hubby!)
Hopefully you find some renewed sewing love again! Just keep…sewing 🙂
Completely agree Soumya. Just keep sewing! Looking forward to seeing what you make for your husband 🙂
I can completely relate with the spontaneity/planning conundrum, Asmita! The skirt you did sew up is so charming and beautiful and definitely meaningful! Thank you so much for participating in SVE again, and the packaging alone is looking fabulous. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Thank you Sanae! What took the smallest amount of time in terms of planning and execution turned out to be something that pleased N and me the most. I should make a note of that for future! It was good to participate in SVE, a bit of pushing oneself out of one’s comfort zone but still good. I am just keeping my fingers crossed that the package gets there soon.
It’s a very pretty skirt, Asmita – I love that fabric. I think the reality of life with little children is that it can be exhausting, and then when a bit of free time comes your way you don’t have the energy to leap into creative projects. My mother gave me my sewing machine as a gift around the time R was born, but I didn’t use it until a couple of years after that – I just didn’t have the time nor the brainspace to switch from ‘child time’ to ‘me time’. I’m sure you’ll get back into the swing of things eventually – and in the meantime, your plan sounds like a good one.
Marisa–you are so right! Thank you for your kind words, and for the encouragement and inspiration, always.
What a beautiful skirt Asmita, but the best thing is that your daughter loves it! Sometimes the spontaneous, straightforward projects yield the best results.
When I am feeling low on energy/time for my crafty projects, I find I feel better if I write down (the old fashioned way, on paper, instead of a computer screen) my ideas and inspirations. At least it’s out of my head, and I feel like I have a plan and therefore I’m being productive, even if I don’t end up executing the plan.
Thank you Wagyu! That skirt has gotten so much wear in the last few weeks…and every time I see those pink pompoms I feel happy.
And you are absolutely right about writing things on paper. Something about paper is so much better than the computer screen. Maybe it is more tangible? I realise that on days I can even barely read instructions off a screen…:-)
Hi, came over from your comment in my blog. I’ve developed a couple of new hobbies over the last 4-5 months and along with reading, TV and stuff, I don’t have enough time to do all of them everyday – I know you said somewhat the opposite in this post but I too feel the exhaustion for which I turn to these hobbies, and they keep me up later and later though that’s precisely what I wanted to avoid. So last week on, I’ve decided it would be just one hobby per week. Or one and a half, or one and a half plus a not so serious attempt at the third hobby 🙂 Also noticed with regret that all my interests and hobbies are sedentary.
Your work is so pretty! I learnt embroidery in school and like the idea of doing more but I think I will desist, I simply cannot afford the time!
Ahh..hobbies and exhaustion in keeping up with the hobbies. Sounds counter-intuitive doesn’t it? Especially, since they are meant to be pleasure inducing. I think they key would be just to focus on that which is at hand and not what one is going to do “later,” which is I think what you are saying too!
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Sra. Glad to have you over 🙂
mmm…. reminds me that i have to pick some pom-pom trim next time. I totally agree about have energy around a toddler especially if they are hunting for trouble all the time like J.
I sew for weeks on 2-3 things at the same time and then switch to kindle for a couple of weeks.. But these days i am trying to keep my work space clean and organised, so that i can sew a seam here and there / do a little press / trace a pattern / cut the fabric / pin a seam… when ever i have couple of minutes to spare.
Sometimes when i really have an hour in the night to sew… i find that i don’t have the right thread in the bobbin / no bias tape / hem needs to pressed …. and so on… so i try to do these stuff during naptime.. so i can do some serious sewing after the kids sleep.
Finding the right thread…threading the bobbin. Yes, yes yes! Little things that if not done “before” the “big” much anticipated sewing hour, I realise, mean that I just give up on the sewing in that hour. What you are saying is so true Radhika. I should remember these little things to do too, in the nap hour. Thank you 🙂
A well written and thoughtful post.
I love the idea of spontaneous sewing too but I am just too tired!
I have mine organised within a inch of my life or it would not happen. I refuse to start another project (unless it is an emergency) or I worry crap will pile up.
Hopefully when my youngest decides sleeping all night will be a good thing I may get some spontaneity back.
I am also very lucky to have a sewing space, clean and tidy and child proof.
xx Nicole
PS Be kind to yourself, fabric doesn’t go off
You are so right–the fabric is going nowhere!
Thank you Nicole for your equally thoughtful response. I am always amazed by the gems that you are turning out and have thought quite a lot of how you and others with small kids do it.
Yes, babies sleeping through nights are wonderful aren’t they? Not only can one get some sewing done but it’s so nice to get up in the morning feeling rested and ready for the day. We are having a few good nights here; I do hope you get some too very soon.
[…] I am sure. The pockets come from scraps of a Lotta Jansdotter fabric that I used previously for a skirt. The pattern tried and tested several times before, comes from one of my all time favourite […]