Why I’m not waiting for perfect anymore
I find myself buying fewer and fewer pieces of clothing for myself, because I look at them and think “surely I can just make this for myself instead!” But the thing is, I’ve been saying that for a long time. And I keep holding back, waiting…
To find the perfect pattern.
To be done breastfeeding.
To not be pregnant.
To finally lose the baby weight.
To find the perfect fabric… And then never cutting into it, because there’s no pattern good enough for this amazing fabric.
To have perfected all my sewing skills (ha!)
The past few days, I’ve been taping patterns and choosing fabric for dresses and shirts that I’ve been wanting to sew for awhile. But I keep getting hung up on my fabric choices, hesitating to cut into fabrics that I love, because what if I suddenly lose ten pounds and it doesn’t fit anymore (that’s a lovely dream, isn’t it?) Or what if I decide I don’t like it, and then I’ve used this expensive or hard to find fabric on something I’m never going to wear?
There will always be excuses to keep me from sewing for myself. But really, now is the perfect time. Because there is no perfect time. If I keep waiting for the stars to align and for life’s circumstances to be exactly what I hope they will be, I’m never going to do it. Today I’ve decided that I’m not going to hold out for perfect. I’m going to embrace the imperfections of my life and my circumstances. I’m not going to save my favorite fabrics for someday. I’m going to sew for myself, even if I haven’t met my “ideal weight.” I’m going to sew garments that aren’t perfect, but that I feel good about wearing, because they were made by me. And I’m going to make mistakes and I’m going to “waste fabric” as I try new things.
Because life is too short to wear clothes that I don’t like and to spend my days waiting around for someday. If (when?) I lose that baby weight, I may have to make myself some new clothes.. but then I get to make myself new clothes. And they’ll probably be better, because with each garment I sew, my skills improve and I learn how to fit my body. And goodness, there will always be pretty fabric. I do love buying new fabrics.. :)
So over the next few months, you’ll be seeing more sewing for me. And if you don’t, you have permission to yell at me. Well, gently remind me of this post anyway.
Will you join me?
Happy sewing, friends!
I so needed to hear this today! It was as though youwere putting down my exact thoughts; baby weight, precious fabric, perfection. Thank you for giving me some much needed inspiration and motivation to stop waiting for the perfect timing and just do it now. So, YES! I’m joining you!
Yay!! I knew I couldn’t be the only one :)
Good for you!! I can totally relate. Maybe seeing you dive into “selfish sewing” will be the kick in the pants I need.
Must be a sign–CrafterHours’ Friday Fiver is the Out and About dress. Just bought it! I CAN DO THIS!! 👊
Awesome!! You CAN do this! It looks like a great pattern, and knits are my fave :)
I feel like this all the time! Just had my second baby…and I don’t want to sew anything really fitted and then have to re fit it in a few months. But I really want a pair of home sewn trousers! I look forward to seeing more clothes for you!
My thoughts exactly lately! I think SSW gave me that push to finally get past all those little things! :) I’ll definitely be joining in!
yES!!! I really want to sew more for myself this winter…
I feel you! I can’t wait to see what you make. After my girl having something to wear every day in May (and really every day every month) for made for kids month or whatever it’s called, it made me want to have at least enough things I could wear for myself for a month. Like pieces to mix and match. That is my goal for next year. I’ve started already, but I really hope to get some inspiration from what you make Jess! :)
Yes, yes yes!! I too have put off projects for myself because of the “baby weight issue.” But lately, I’ve said screw it, and I’ve sewn some great things for myself. And guess what — they make me feel so much better about my body just as it is right now!
I look forward to seeing how awesome you look in your new clothes :)
So true friend! I had several of these exact thoughts today, especially the baby weight business.
this is a fabulous post Jess – so so good. Who has time for perfect anyway :) :) :)
Yes. Yes. Yes!
Love this Jess! Well put!
I love this so much! I use so many of those same reasons… And I have fabric that I’ve hoarded for so long that the color palette (etc.) is kind of overdone. But if I would’ve just used it at the time, it would’ve been awesome.
Anyhow, can’t wait to see what you make!!! Hoping to join you!
This is exactly how I feel!!!
So true! I feel the same way!
I have all these patterns I have bought because I thought they were spoken cute. then I don’t see them because I don’t feel good about myself and how I look in clothes… So instead I wear plain jane things from stores bought on clearance and use all my pretty special fabrics on other people’s kids. (Because my one kid, a boy, is 14 and doesn’t wear mom-made. Ha.)
So…. Maybe I will make myself a skirt this week.
I have the patterns. And the fabrics.
I just need to believe in myself.
What a great post, so many of us can relate. But none of us are perfect, we are REAL.
AMEN! :)