Stitching and Stories is exactly what I want from RUclips and wish more people would do. I want it so bad, I've thought of starting my own channel. Like a channel that feels like a sewing circle.
I'm a newbie to Stickery and I heard "what is your oldest "whip"" and it didn't even phase me. Like oh, that's interesting she's into whips. But quickly realized that it was the acronym WIP 🤦♀️ lol
I just got it reading your comment. 😊 I admit however that I was dozing and had to rewind the video so I wasn't at my mental best. Work in progress? Doh. 🫣 I'm not sure that I like acronyms that are specific to certain activities, because if I don't know much about the activity the meaning of an acronym will always be a mystery. 😎
I totally vote for sharing your quit project videos! I think a lot of us struggle with project hatred and depression and having the public figures in the sewist/needle arts community share their failures/struggles/choice to abandon a project would be extremely helpful for a lot of us.
That's an excellent point! It can feel weird to put out a video that doesn't have a proper resolution, but at the same time... that's the whole point of this channel, right? Blazing ahead even when we fail!
Yeah, seeing that even people who seem to have it together and know what they're doing can struggle, fume and even ragequit now and then is therapeutic for those of us struggling with similar issues or motivation. Hearing that it's OK to stop doing someting because you don't want to do it anymore mght keep someone in the hobby. Also, you might get actual good suggestoins of how to fix the issues causing the hate, or encouragement from internet strangers (for whatever that's worth) that you did the right thing or they've had issues like that too or that putting it in the UFO bin for a timeout was the best thing you could have done. I know for me it was the best thing that could have happened to a couple of my projects, cause once I stopped being angry at it, myself and everything withn a 20' radius, I could start thinking clearly and problem solving again.
It’s so fun to listen to you talk. I have no idea why. I’ve found a few neurodivergent content creators recently and listening to y’all makes my brain so happy. It’s like “oooo look it’s someone who thinks in the bizarre ways I do, huzzah!”
Would love to hear more about your birth mother experience/story. I was afraid to ask since your pregnancy was only mentioned in passing and I worried you might just be extremely private about it or maybe something bad happened and didn't want to pry. Glad to hear you are comfortable talking about this and are content with the situation! I'm looking forward to the organisation video for the new place, those videos scratch my brain where it needs it XD I'm also just so happy that this many people appreciate your channel and the work you put into it because all of your videos have been such high quality and you're an absolute joy to watch every week!
Thank you for being a birth mother. Adoption has deeply touched my family, and I agree the birth mom story is often left out of the discussion and it should not be.
"I put clothing that needs to be mended in a special location so that I can mend it at some point, and then never get around to it. I have the best of intentions" - yeah that accurately describes my approach to mending... So many items of clothing that I don't wear but can't bring myself to do anything with either way!
I guess new projects are my reward, scissors may not touch fabric on a new project until two things have come off the mending pile, one thing has been completed or at least seriously re-examined from the UnFinished Objects pile and the accumulated heap of sox are darned.
So mending has been my introduction to any form of sewing! I love darning in particular and I have a pair of jeans that have like 8 patches on the inner thigh! I’ve since moved on to making small brooches until I have time/resources for an actual garment!
I have an untested, unproven theory that all multicraftual people are neurodivergent. It's fun to find a new channel and armchair diagnose someone as being like me 😁
I highly recommend The Closet Historian. She is very talented and fun to watch. Pattern drafting, vintage, alternate and original design... and the most amazing 'look books' that are scripted short movies with script, sets, lighting, and excellent editing.
Another good way to get started sewing is to make child-sized pieces. Less fabric, less bulk to manhandle at the sewing machine and yet you practice all the skills you need. My friend started sewing that way a couple years ago and recently gave her more successful attempt to a charity shop. A couple weeks later she saw one of her pinafores on a 4-5 year old walking around town. She was right chuffed! BTW, niche vs nitch, your preferred pronunciation is the correct one! 👍
I am a bio-mom too!!! We had an open adoption. I had a daughter. She is lovely. We are great friends. I am a grandmother too!! Definitely not understood.
Stitching and stories! That's a great way to produce content without having to have a complete project by the end of video and it will make the viewer feel like we're just hanging out crafting together. Like friends but without having to actually be social.😂
Cue sound of needle sliding across a record.... A body model for a military dummy! That was the most surprising comment you made. 😁 Loved all your thoughtful answers and learning more about you. Happy sewing! 🌻🍄
I’m so glad you popped onto my RUclips. Really enjoying your videos. And since you mentioned Rachel Macksy I understand how I found my way to you. I’m fascinated by the ‘book/bag’ you have hanging on the pegboard, I have had one saved on my Pinterest board for years. I have a very old set of encyclopaedia I can’t let go of, and need to make at least an attempt.
I was diagnosed with ADHD very late in life (plus I now know I have several comorbidities I hadn't realized went along with that). So many things you say and do are extremely relatable to me which made me wonder if you, too, have ADHD and could be on the spectrum. I was curious but didn't want to ask. Thank you for being so open and totally enjoyable to watch and listen to. Staying focused, not completing things, quickly losing interest, having many many projects at one time, or being hyper-focused on something are all known to be signs of ADHD. That is me in a nutshell! A neurodivergent brain can result in a lot of creativity and thinking "outside the box." I overthink everything, but I've gained a teeny bit of courage to try things because of you! You are amazing!
Same thoughts here! It was all very relatable. The setting rewards and breaking overwhelming things down into small tasks, like you say in the video, are actually techniques that are taught to people who just got diagnosed with ADHD.
I got ADHD vibes from the first of your videos I watched, and after this video, that impression is really solid. So many ADHD traits... getting bored so easily by routine, wanting to try every hobby and every job... your fast talking and gesticulating a lot... that really doesn't look like Autism to me. I can only speak from my own ADHD experience, of course, I don't know you, and it could even be both. But simply the fact that you haven't gotten around to making an appointment for a professional assessment in 3 years, that sounds so much like me, it's like someone waving a bright purple ADHD flag behind you. Many problems people with ADHD have look very similar to those of people on the spectrum, but the reasons behind them are entirely different. This is why I also did one of these self assessments and I am definitely not on the spectrum 😀 I hope you'll let us know the result once you've been checked out by a professional.
@@svenjas3600there’s a large overlap of folks who are both on the spectrum and have ADHD! It’s very possible to have both - I thought I was just ADHD until I got assessed because those traits were stronger, but it turns out I was just really good at masking 😅
I must say that I truly enjoy the little Link moments that pop up in your videos. Little smoochy times or fluffy butt scratches. They all make me feel like I’m sitting in the room with you as you create. Keep on doin’ cause we love it.
I don't have a permanent sewing space in my house, but I finally went out and bought some bead sorter containers and I keep my thread and matching bobbin in each space. Brilliant. Neat and tidy, and I'm not mixing them up. I also made a ✨ spreadsheet ✨ for my sewing thread colours so that when I'm buying fabric I can look up what colours I already own to see if I need to buy thread or if I can use something at home.
I would try one of those mini diorama kits for a start. The ones by ifDIY are really good. Also, congrats to Mat for being nominated for a Grammy! That's huge!
Would love you to see you make series of knit pieces n all drama that goes with. The selection of fabrics are the best with most helpful knowledge n necessary accessories to complete a sewing project. You know. Please include tops n bottoms, and variety items. I really enjoy your videos, just you being you. You seem to be a real person aka real. Thank you for that….
Have you ever made a quilt? To me it is the ultimate creative exercise, colour, fabric and colour all in one! I qualified with a fashion degree, like you made costumes for the stage and when I had my son an elderly lady taught me to quilt.
I've only made one when I was a young teenager! I think I used my mom's scrap bin fabric and just did squares, so quilting is definitely not something I've explored much... the patchwork dress did spark my interest though!
You look remarkably similar to my mom when she was your age. Like it’s absolutely uncanny. The only difference is your glasses - she wore cat eyes. She was a sewist and maker as well, so it’s even more wild. Great job. You made me sew for the first time in forever this week and I loved it.
Oh my gosh I'm glad I'm not the only one knows embroidery by hand takes forever especially if you have an extensive design like a dragon to happens to have several different colors I tried to tell the person it may take more than a year to do an extensive dragon that I have personally created because I have designed tattoo art that can be made into embroider e art and that is very tasking
Hello! I happened on your videos recently and I have been loving catching up, so I just wanted to pop in and say thanks for your great videos, and for this wonderful and open q&a! Also, re: neurodivergency: one reason I love your videos is that it seems our brains work much the same way when it comes to projects so I find your explanations very easy to follow and your experiences very relatable. From what I've seen in your other videos and what you've said in this one, and how similar our brains seem to work, my personal impression is that you might have both ADHD and autism, so in case that possibility is something you haven't considered before I just wanted to mention that. It's a far more common combination than many people think and it would fit perfectly with being very quickly bored but also loving routine, etc. Not trying to diagnose you over the internet or anything, so do with that what you will. Anyways, thank you again and I look forward to your next video!
It's so nice seeing someone who creates like I do lol 🤣 I get bored easily but always come back to embroidery. And I reverse engineer things when I want to make them myself. Alot of things I make are diy or up cycled from thrifted things. Or are entirely fabricated because i knows what I want the end to look like and then I just try shit lol.
I just wanted to say, the way you explained how patterning works in your brain is amazing! I’m struggling with getting my brain to translate what I see into flat shapes, but that’s so neat that you can do that!
Both of our cats happened this way. One was found on the doorstep and the other refused to leave the front yard. Friday (the porch found kitten) LOVES being apart of the costuming process. Hopefully your kitty finds you, too
Thank you, I came for the embroidery and stayed for you. Yes to stitching and stories. You keep it real, there are a lot of floss tubers who are lovely people and they show wonderful patterns with lots of extras needed and amazing hauls. I do not either 1 have access to what they buy and 2 can afford what they buy. I then spend my time adapting for my budget if possible. You enabled me with the sewing machine, it is out of the cupboard where it has been ignored for a very long time and I am set to attack small projects, if I remember how to thread it.😂😂
I love to hear that! I think the more experience someone has in a field, the easier it is to forget the beginning stages, when you didn't have tons of time or tools or tricks - but learning and figuring it out in these early stages is so much fun!
Love your channel. Would love to hear more about your birth mother/adoption experience. Really, would love to hear more about everything, you have such an interesting life.
My tips for beginners are to alter existing clothing then jump into making something beautiful with curtains or sheets. My first from scratch was to make a reproduction of the Anne of Cleaves gown 😅
I have been sewing off and on since I was 12. I'm 57 now, and I still feel like a beginner in so many ways! I can relate to so much of your thinking. I have done alterations off and on for about 30 years, and I enjoy the problem solving, reverse engineering aspect of it. At the moment, I'm just doing what I want to do, which includes knitting and crochet, jewelry making and sewing.
On how you draft your patterns: This is exactly how I would've explained it, if I'd had the words. Seeing the 2d parts of a 3d object is part of what I love about drafting a design. It is also what I love about making tiny houses.
I too am a theatre geek. I got involved after my husband death. I am strictly community theatre. All this to say I have done every job except writing scripts. My biggest costuming jobs have been The Crucible and A Midsummer Nights Dream. My favorite job is producing and greatest director. Just finished preparing blocking spreadsheet for my fall/winter production.
I love Beyonce! A serger was the best purchase I ever made. I have seen so many that sew on the sewing machine before using the serger. I guess I am a rebel because I go straight for the serger and then do my hems and finishings. I am excited to see you guys get your house!
Holiday decorator? So was I ! For 13 years plus office plants installation manager. Year round commercial tropical plant and maintenance business with extra seasonal jobs. In spring we were planting tulips in hotel planters, during the summer we created stunning floral displays , in fall it was gourd displays and mums, and in winter, it was poinsettia perepping and deliveries or we were up on genie lifts attaching huge wired bows on 25’ tree etc.. Best dream job ever.
A ton of your experiences match mine! Writing check. Poodle skirt check. My mother and grandmother were seamstresses. I sew for other people because when it comes to sewing for myself, that's when disaster hits, everytime. My goal for 2023 is to conquer that! Thanks for being our West Coast Rachel Maksy!
I subbed like a week ago. 🙂 lol 😆 so I'm so glad for this well timed video because I'm still in the "getting to know you" phase of my journey with your channel. And youtube keeps feeding me so many of your videos back to back to back and I love it
Enjoyed this so much. You have a special place in my heart, I adopted a baby and I blessed that birth mom every day. Thank you for the greatest gift you could ever give. And all the negative Nellie's you receive, tell them to go to h--l! I truly believe anyone who criticize are just jealous cause they can't do. My first and favorite RUclips is Rachel Makey. Love that girl. You all keep up the good work. You have been added to my very short list of favorites. Good luck in your new digs.❤
I also do theater and can sew and even though technically I was the assistant stage manager for the last show I did, I also ended up getting roped into costuming, especially for little things that were not enough bother to take to our actual sewing people. Oh and I had to figure out how to make a transforming dress functional because the lady who made it, while very lovely, had no idea how to both make a dress that can be "destroyed", still stay on the actor, and cover the second dress the actor had on underneath. 😂That was a lot of hand sewing and trials of "can we destroy it properly this time?"
Oh my goodness, the controlled destroying was the best part! Honestly, all those weird challenges you run into while costuming for theater are definitely the things I miss the most... I remember going outside to rub a dress in the grass one time and getting strange looks from passing students. Good times. XD
Try making temari balls! I went through a phase where I would go to therapy and then straight to the craft store looking for a new craft. I love making temari because it's inexpensive and looks beautiful from the very first one you make.
Hi Charlie, The zodiac sign for October 23 to November 21st is Scorpio and the zodiac sign for November 22 to December 21 is Sagittarius. There you go, love! Your channel is awesome and you are very welcome!!! Ta ta!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! You, my dear, are a breath of fresh air. I love watching your videos because they inspire me so much. I am considerably older than you and have been sewing for over sixty years. I must say that I work very well with patterns, but I have been known to alter or redesign a garment or two in my time. Case in point, my wedding dress for my second marriage was a combination of three patterns. My first wedding dress was from a crocheted pattern that I altered as well. It was the only way I could get the dresses that I wanted. They were perfect. I enjoy watching your creative process, and I look forward to more videos in the future. May your house-buying and moving be smooth and easy.
If you do a stitch and story, I'd like to request more about your pregnancy. I agree that the stigma needs to be pushed towards positivity. I also am in the same boat with wanting to get tested. I suspected I might be autistic after I took a course in SPED (I got my degree in elementary education) years ago. I'm good about getting stuff done for other people, like calling my friends doctor's to set up appointments for them, but struggle to do so for myself. I know I'll get to it eventually though. Another commenter asked if you have ever quilted. If you have, would absolutely love to see anything that you've done! I started quilting in late 2019, after I had a bunch of medical issues. It helped me come back from a very dark place and I always see quilting as this positive space that I can reground in. Though I also feel that way about sewing, in general. Anyway, this was a fantastic video and I'm so happy that your channel is growing!
We'll get those appointments made someday! I made that one quilt when I was a kid, but I haven't done any quilting since then - though that patchwork dress is certainly igniting some interest!
Wated to.say Hi. Recently had RUclips bring you to my attention and I have loved every video of yours that I have watched so far. This one was extra special simply because of your honesty and openness about being a birth mother. This part of the adoption process needs more openness and talking about. Thank you for being willing to say what you said, what a beautiful act of love for her, her parents and you. If I could hug you and say it touched my heart, in a way I have no real reason to expect, I would.
10 out 11 rooms in my house are different shades of purple, and I actually spent over a decade with purple hair, so I guess ya could say I LOVE PURPLE!!! 💜😊💜 By the way, I love the adjustable skirts ya made and looking forward to the pants edition!
FWIW, I'd absolutely love "stitching and stories" (and I'm not even here for the embroidery, though like you, I find a lot of things interesting whether or not I'm doing them).
Also I LOVE the idea of the Stitching and Stories series. I've been going through and watching old videos gradually (because my 18mo HAS NO SELF-PRESERVATION INSTINCT), and there were so many snippets you dropped in the "17 places" embroidery video that I would love to hear elaborated. That video was so wonderful and calming to have on while I folded laundry!
Yes looking for a new place to live is very intimidating and stressful and then waiting for that 30 days after the house to do a close on it is all so stressful I seriously understand because some of my sewing machines are vintage plus I have a lot of fabric not to mention my dress form all my cutting tools my thread my artwork and my recording equipment
I recommend pillowcases or basic af, elastic waist, sleep shorts ass first projects. Don't start with bags. They are more complex than you think and hard to get structurally right. Drawstring bags for like, bulk produce or something are good ways to get used to a machine too. Small, straight stitching, doesn't really matter what material you use.
Earlier in this video, something you said about trying new things vs doing comfortable things made me think "huh, that sounds a lot like me, I wonder if she's AuDHD, not just ADHD?" And then you mentioned relating to Autism! I did not expect my random musing to be answered in the same video. The more of your videos I watch, the more it makes more sense why I feel so at home on this channel :) I think the same AuDHD wondering briefly pooped into my head when I watched your "Symphony" video about how you think, but I have no idea what part of that video did that. Also, I think from the sheer number of people who have ADHD themselves and have asked you if you also have ADHD, I doubt that you're just making up elaborate stories in your head. You can lie to yourself, but it's another story when simply the way that you exist prompts thousands of people to notice that your brain seems to work the same way that theirs does. In other words ~you are valid~ or whatever. I know you said you relate more to Autism, but ADHD and Autism share a lot of traits, so wondering if someone has ADHD and discovering that they are Autistic instead is very unsurprising. And you can have both ADHD and Autism at the same time, of course. I don't think I've ever wondered this before, but why am I capitalizing "Autism?" Also, it took me a year to get an ADHD diagnosis and I have procrastinated getting an official autism diagnosis for months for the same exact reasons you mentioned! I hate scheduling appointments!
Glad to hear that you're doing ok with all the stuff going on. Waiting for all things while buying a house is stressful. Hopefully you close soon! Oh and great video. Thanks for taking the time to do a q&a in the middle of getting ready to move!
The answer to "do you scrap projects" makes so much sense, but I've always had it in my head that I MUST complete every project (or other thing in life) and ideally complete it to perfection. Which is a pretty miserable way to live. It's very helpful to see other people's creating styles. Yours is very different from mine, and I find it encouraging to see other people doing things differently from how I do, and succeeding. It encourages me to relax and be less strict and particular about doing things the "right" way.
Please put out the trashed project video. It's helpful to others to see its ok to say “NOPE" and that not everything goes story book perfect-its ok to walk away from or throw away something you're not enjoying. You can end it just talking about why you stopped, and reassure viewers it is ok to stop-do what makes you happy.. or something like that. Story time while embroidery: yes. I wash anything from thrift stores in hot water/dry on highs as soon as I get home just to be safe. If I get discount fabric online from a reliable seller that's safe .. well I have 20+ yards sitting on my couch that still needs washed. Corsetry: look at making short stays first- basically sports bra of the corset world - you don’t have to fuss with waist/hip, just bust/under bust and straps. That’s what I did. I actually want to remake mine and adjust them to be front lacing instead of in the back, then move into larger corsets. I also reward or try to make chores fun-I listen to RUclipsrs I like while doing dishes/laundry/ironing/sweeping… the chattier ones rather than “you have to watch to know wtf if going on”. I did cored while watching this but did stop to look at your embroidery and pup.
For the person who asked if you can make your own clothes without a sewing machine, YES! When in college, I didn't have my machine with me and was unable to take the stairs to the laundry room for a week. I made a weeks worth of clothes in one weekend all by hand!
I would seriously watch just about anything that you put out, lol. I love your new channel with like story time! I would love to see any quitting projects that you might make. Sometimes things don't work and that's ok, and I think you would make it feel ok for people that might feel badly about that.
Congrats! Also, when crochet's time comes, you'll love it. I learned the very basic stitch and how to add and drop stitches, and then promptly improvised a tea-cosy. I rarely count stitches or follow patterns.
Other beginner projects: anything for small kids. They’re basically small rectangles. You can make things without sleeves or legs and they will be super happy because they don’t have critical eyes for wonky seams. They just want cool fabric (and things without legs or sleeves can be worn longer). E.g., wrap skirts, capes, sleeveless tops, aprons… I just used Charlie’s video on pleats and the other one where the first half was an apron and I merged the two to make a cute apron for a 5 year old. I learned that heavy knits are not optimal for aprons 😂 And that sometimes pleats and pockets are a trade-off… But it’s cute!
I am autistic and probably have an attention disorder as well and your videos are just the right pacing and lenght for my brain to actually pay attention to what you're saying. I really struggle with focus and motivation and I really related to a lot of what you said. Reward system works quite well for me. Also, Stitching and stories would be an amazing kind of videos! I always have videos or podcasts in the background as I handsew/embroider and your storytelling is very compelling. Also, English is not my first language but I understand you without needing to look at the subtitles so it's even better!
❤ thank you. Watched a lot of your videos and your whole approach to sewing and life in general is incredibly real. You aren't doing this as you want to be the next big thing, you have found a way to be true to you and your journey. You have a middle aged hit n hope sewer fan from South Wales in the UK 😊
Do not go off of numbers/analytics... There are days in the hospital, there are days of nothing but sleep... which means, no watching you tube in those days/ periods... but I always go back and catch up! ❤
This is over a year later and you mentioned several items you would talk about if someone was interested in listening. I enjoy the conversations you carry on and love the tangents. Lease tell us all the stories, whether you’re doing something like talking while you’re doing something like embroidering or actually anything. You’re always interesting on your videos. I love your philosophy of just starting to do it. Stop if you are getting frustrated but try it again. I was really interested in your story and method of approaching a new project. Video it but if it sucks no one is forcing you to do it except yourself. And of course the need to have a video available for release. If you can build up some extra videos and release it when you’re just to do one. If you don’t finish sh it, oh well. If you talk it’ll be interesting. Even seeing a failure would be interesting.
Thank you so much for all your great content. You are re-igniting my love of learn-as-I-go sewing. I too was not enamored of sewing, knitting, crochet, embroidery, or really any fabric art as a child. Then in my 20's I got into non-serious historical re-enactment (SCA), so I looked at pictures, traced or modified existing garments, then proceeded to make my own cape and multiple costumes based on pictures. Initially with very low cost fabrics, sheets and tablecloths, then later pricier and pricier fabrics culminating in a brocade Italian Renaissance style dress. Then life got busy. In my late 30's I learned to sew sundresses and skirts from commercial patterns under the tutoring of my Aunt, an excellent sewist and expert maker of quilt tops. I do Japanese Sashiko embroidery, recently embellished and sewed a cube shaped "komebukuro" rice bag as a project bag for a wizard level knitter friend. Have you considered dyeing fabrics yourself for future projects? I am obsessed with stitched shibori dyeing, so that's next on my list. The way you work through problems makes so much sense to me, and I was recently diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. Thanks again for helping me see the fun in sewing, again!!
I'm so glad you found a way into making things that clicked for you! I've got several dying projects on my list - mostly, I really want to experiment with natural dyes and see what colors I can get!
I am also a musical theatre geek! I have had the pleasure of directing many students including Disney world performers, an off Broadway actor, and a popular TV lead.
@@gettheetothestitchery I'm retired now and am still in touch with them. You know how much effort theatre takes, but it was all worth it! And thanks for sharing your world with us.
Whats helped me get sewing again is to approach it as the goal being to use the fabric in my stash and to finish projects. I'm maybe just above beginner level and taking the pressure off of the finished product being good or something I'll wear often makes it lower stakes. Also, this weekend I was wanting to go to the fabric store and made myself work on a project I had cutout to justify spending more money on sewing and now I have a pair of lounge shorts.
I have thought about how you have almost reverse ADHD with the hyperfocus on organizing and lists. I strongly related when you said you stress out thinking about lists you can't attend to. This led me to wonder if you were neurodivergent and what you might "have". I've also considered myself to be on the spectrum however since it's so hard for not just females but adults to get an autism diagnosis I haven't reached out to a professional. If you ever do (and feel comfortable), I'd love to hear that side of your story! 💞
Learning to take a situation and break it down into manageable bites is something I still struggle with, but I'm getting better at (at the ripe old age of 62 -- I'll get this adulting thing figured out eventually!)
It is amazing how relatable you are. I truly enjoy listening to you explain your way of thinking. It is inspirational, not to be redundant, and relatable. Thank you so much for sharing your life and journey with us.
I'm amazed at how many of your views I relate to, and I love it. You put into words thoughts I haven't fully explored and so I'm listening and go "Yes! That!" Especially in sewing underwear and bras.
I relate to not wanting to use patterns or recipes... I think for me I'm compensating for my poor short term memory (thats the ADHD 😅). When I do use a recipe I write it out in a way that I can understand, so it's more like a list of prompts for smaller tasks I'm already familiar with. I wonder if I could approach patterns in the same way. I also feel less silly if I mess up when I'm just making it up, rather than mess up a set of clear instructions. Also it's more engaging if it's challenging!
I loved this Q&A! First off I have made several corset tops and they're actually easier than you'd think and from what I've seen you make you're more than capable and would be able to figure it out. Second I didn't know that you were a birth mom and would love to hear more about it. My husband and I are currently actively waiting to adopt and so I'd really love your perspective as a birth mom and as much of your story as you'd be comfortable sharing.
I have a question for you :) can you design a nightgown/dress similarly to your dolman? Sleeve tutorial please. Could you show the “boring” parts too? How you manage to measure the awkward things. Your brain process when thinking out the shapes of the armholes necklines and pro/con of having added cuffs on sleeves or just hemming the sleeves.. basically every single thing to design something that fits the way it’s desired to fit? I would adore allllllll those extra details! You are a doll! And so helpful!
I'll definitely put it on the list! I love the dolman sleeve maxi dress I made in that project, so I've been thinking it would be great to do some more dolman sleeve projects - I'll make sure to go more "tutorial" style if I do!
I only found you recently and have been binging your videos. I would love for you to do more talky videos, your stories are fascinating and inspiring to me as a person afraid to try new things. I like to listen to podcasts and videos like your life map one as I do stuff, they make boring stuff fun. I would also love it if you could explain french seams, as i just don't get it.
That's good to know! It's funny, I often feel like I'm talking too much in a video or a video that's just me talking is weird, but yeah, people love podcasts and it's just talking, so... I guess lean into it! And I'll make a note to talk about french seams more the next time I use them!
Stitching and Stories is exactly what I want from RUclips and wish more people would do. I want it so bad, I've thought of starting my own channel. Like a channel that feels like a sewing circle.
I’d love that!
Go for it🥰
Seconding stitches and stories! ❤
i feel exactly the same way. i want something to listen to while knitting, which is incidentally what i used this video as.
You should do it :)
I'm a newbie to Stickery and I heard "what is your oldest "whip"" and it didn't even phase me. Like oh, that's interesting she's into whips. But quickly realized that it was the acronym WIP 🤦♀️ lol
I just got it reading your comment. 😊 I admit however that I was dozing and had to rewind the video so I wasn't at my mental best. Work in progress? Doh. 🫣 I'm not sure that I like acronyms that are specific to certain activities, because if I don't know much about the activity the meaning of an acronym will always be a mystery. 😎
I totally vote for sharing your quit project videos! I think a lot of us struggle with project hatred and depression and having the public figures in the sewist/needle arts community share their failures/struggles/choice to abandon a project would be extremely helpful for a lot of us.
That's an excellent point! It can feel weird to put out a video that doesn't have a proper resolution, but at the same time... that's the whole point of this channel, right? Blazing ahead even when we fail!
Yeah, seeing that even people who seem to have it together and know what they're doing can struggle, fume and even ragequit now and then is therapeutic for those of us struggling with similar issues or motivation. Hearing that it's OK to stop doing someting because you don't want to do it anymore mght keep someone in the hobby. Also, you might get actual good suggestoins of how to fix the issues causing the hate, or encouragement from internet strangers (for whatever that's worth) that you did the right thing or they've had issues like that too or that putting it in the UFO bin for a timeout was the best thing you could have done. I know for me it was the best thing that could have happened to a couple of my projects, cause once I stopped being angry at it, myself and everything withn a 20' radius, I could start thinking clearly and problem solving again.
What is background work????
It’s so fun to listen to you talk. I have no idea why. I’ve found a few neurodivergent content creators recently and listening to y’all makes my brain so happy. It’s like “oooo look it’s someone who thinks in the bizarre ways I do, huzzah!”
I really enjoy listening to her, too. She's just so pleasant to listen to, and u feel very seen. 😂
Yes! Great fun!! I almost feel normal when I watch her ❤️
Would love to hear more about your birth mother experience/story. I was afraid to ask since your pregnancy was only mentioned in passing and I worried you might just be extremely private about it or maybe something bad happened and didn't want to pry. Glad to hear you are comfortable talking about this and are content with the situation! I'm looking forward to the organisation video for the new place, those videos scratch my brain where it needs it XD I'm also just so happy that this many people appreciate your channel and the work you put into it because all of your videos have been such high quality and you're an absolute joy to watch every week!
Aw thank you so much!!
What other videos was this mentioned in?
@alexandriamorton5591 the one on the embroidery project showing all the states she's lived in.
Yes, “Stitching and Stories” would be awesome! Congratulations!
Thank you for being a birth mother. Adoption has deeply touched my family, and I agree the birth mom story is often left out of the discussion and it should not be.
"I put clothing that needs to be mended in a special location so that I can mend it at some point, and then never get around to it. I have the best of intentions" - yeah that accurately describes my approach to mending... So many items of clothing that I don't wear but can't bring myself to do anything with either way!
I guess new projects are my reward, scissors may not touch fabric on a new project until two things have come off the mending pile, one thing has been completed or at least seriously re-examined from the UnFinished Objects pile and the accumulated heap of sox are darned.
So mending has been my introduction to any form of sewing! I love darning in particular and I have a pair of jeans that have like 8 patches on the inner thigh!
I’ve since moved on to making small brooches until I have time/resources for an actual garment!
Found u recently and have been binging u since. Im a crafty person myself but i have adhd so my crafts always change. But i always go back to sewing.
I have an untested, unproven theory that all multicraftual people are neurodivergent. It's fun to find a new channel and armchair diagnose someone as being like me 😁
I highly recommend The Closet Historian. She is very talented and fun to watch. Pattern drafting, vintage, alternate and original design... and the most amazing 'look books' that are scripted short movies with script, sets, lighting, and excellent editing.
Her videos are amazing!
Another good way to get started sewing is to make child-sized pieces. Less fabric, less bulk to manhandle at the sewing machine and yet you practice all the skills you need. My friend started sewing that way a couple years ago and recently gave her more successful attempt to a charity shop. A couple weeks later she saw one of her pinafores on a 4-5 year old walking around town. She was right chuffed!
BTW, niche vs nitch, your preferred pronunciation is the correct one! 👍
I am a bio-mom too!!! We had an open adoption. I had a daughter. She is lovely. We are great friends. I am a grandmother too!! Definitely not understood.
Congrats on being a bio-mom and grandmother! You've given such a beautiful gift to your daughter and her adoptive family!
Stitching and stories! That's a great way to produce content without having to have a complete project by the end of video and it will make the viewer feel like we're just hanging out crafting together. Like friends but without having to actually be social.😂
Yea this!
Hahaha my favorite way to be with people - on the internets instead of real life! XD
Cue sound of needle sliding across a record.... A body model for a military dummy! That was the most surprising comment you made. 😁 Loved all your thoughtful answers and learning more about you. Happy sewing! 🌻🍄
I’m so glad you popped onto my RUclips. Really enjoying your videos. And since you mentioned Rachel Macksy I understand how I found my way to you. I’m fascinated by the ‘book/bag’ you have hanging on the pegboard, I have had one saved on my Pinterest board for years. I have a very old set of encyclopaedia I can’t let go of, and need to make at least an attempt.
No matter what the entire spectrum of reasons is for why you're not taking any work on set atm, big respect for your solidarity through the strike.
Interesting that you mentioned Rachel Maksy, your channel actually popped up in my recommendations after watching her videos. Love you both!
I was diagnosed with ADHD very late in life (plus I now know I have several comorbidities I hadn't realized went along with that). So many things you say and do are extremely relatable to me which made me wonder if you, too, have ADHD and could be on the spectrum. I was curious but didn't want to ask. Thank you for being so open and totally enjoyable to watch and listen to. Staying focused, not completing things, quickly losing interest, having many many projects at one time, or being hyper-focused on something are all known to be signs of ADHD. That is me in a nutshell! A neurodivergent brain can result in a lot of creativity and thinking "outside the box." I overthink everything, but I've gained a teeny bit of courage to try things because of you! You are amazing!
Same thoughts here! It was all very relatable. The setting rewards and breaking overwhelming things down into small tasks, like you say in the video, are actually techniques that are taught to people who just got diagnosed with ADHD.
Aw you're too kind! Big virtual hugs all around!!
I got ADHD vibes from the first of your videos I watched, and after this video, that impression is really solid. So many ADHD traits... getting bored so easily by routine, wanting to try every hobby and every job... your fast talking and gesticulating a lot... that really doesn't look like Autism to me. I can only speak from my own ADHD experience, of course, I don't know you, and it could even be both. But simply the fact that you haven't gotten around to making an appointment for a professional assessment in 3 years, that sounds so much like me, it's like someone waving a bright purple ADHD flag behind you. Many problems people with ADHD have look very similar to those of people on the spectrum, but the reasons behind them are entirely different. This is why I also did one of these self assessments and I am definitely not on the spectrum 😀 I hope you'll let us know the result once you've been checked out by a professional.
@@svenjas3600there’s a large overlap of folks who are both on the spectrum and have ADHD! It’s very possible to have both - I thought I was just ADHD until I got assessed because those traits were stronger, but it turns out I was just really good at masking 😅
I must say that I truly enjoy the little Link moments that pop up in your videos. Little smoochy times or fluffy butt scratches. They all make me feel like I’m sitting in the room with you as you create. Keep on doin’ cause we love it.
I don't have a permanent sewing space in my house, but I finally went out and bought some bead sorter containers and I keep my thread and matching bobbin in each space. Brilliant. Neat and tidy, and I'm not mixing them up. I also made a ✨ spreadsheet ✨ for my sewing thread colours so that when I'm buying fabric I can look up what colours I already own to see if I need to buy thread or if I can use something at home.
My neurodivergent brain recognizes your path 😂
I would try one of those mini diorama kits for a start. The ones by ifDIY are really good.
Also, congrats to Mat for being nominated for a Grammy! That's huge!
Would love you to see you make series of knit pieces n all drama that goes with. The selection of fabrics are the best with most helpful knowledge n necessary accessories to complete a sewing project.
You know.
Please include tops n bottoms, and variety items.
I really enjoy your videos, just you being you.
You seem to be a real person aka real. Thank you for that….
Hello fellow fabric botchers! Your local Buy Nothing group is also a great way to source cheap (free) curtains and sheets for getting over fabric fear
Please post messy give up project video! I need yhe reminder that I dont have to finish everything I start.
Have you ever made a quilt? To me it is the ultimate creative exercise, colour, fabric and colour all in one! I qualified with a fashion degree, like you made costumes for the stage and when I had my son an elderly lady taught me to quilt.
I've only made one when I was a young teenager! I think I used my mom's scrap bin fabric and just did squares, so quilting is definitely not something I've explored much... the patchwork dress did spark my interest though!
That dress was amazing, I thought I would make one for my eldest grand daughter for her prom next year, that is if it is okay with you.
You look remarkably similar to my mom when she was your age. Like it’s absolutely uncanny. The only difference is your glasses - she wore cat eyes. She was a sewist and maker as well, so it’s even more wild.
Great job. You made me sew for the first time in forever this week and I loved it.
Yes stitching and stories!
Yes share your projects that you quit! And i can not wait to see the new sewing space! I love a good organization video!
Oh my gosh I'm glad I'm not the only one knows embroidery by hand takes forever especially if you have an extensive design like a dragon to happens to have several different colors I tried to tell the person it may take more than a year to do an extensive dragon that I have personally created because I have designed tattoo art that can be made into embroider e art and that is very tasking
Hello! I happened on your videos recently and I have been loving catching up, so I just wanted to pop in and say thanks for your great videos, and for this wonderful and open q&a!
Also, re: neurodivergency: one reason I love your videos is that it seems our brains work much the same way when it comes to projects so I find your explanations very easy to follow and your experiences very relatable. From what I've seen in your other videos and what you've said in this one, and how similar our brains seem to work, my personal impression is that you might have both ADHD and autism, so in case that possibility is something you haven't considered before I just wanted to mention that. It's a far more common combination than many people think and it would fit perfectly with being very quickly bored but also loving routine, etc. Not trying to diagnose you over the internet or anything, so do with that what you will.
Anyways, thank you again and I look forward to your next video!
It's so nice seeing someone who creates like I do lol 🤣 I get bored easily but always come back to embroidery. And I reverse engineer things when I want to make them myself. Alot of things I make are diy or up cycled from thrifted things. Or are entirely fabricated because i knows what I want the end to look like and then I just try shit lol.
I just wanted to say, the way you explained how patterning works in your brain is amazing! I’m struggling with getting my brain to translate what I see into flat shapes, but that’s so neat that you can do that!
Both of our cats happened this way. One was found on the doorstep and the other refused to leave the front yard. Friday (the porch found kitten) LOVES being apart of the costuming process.
Hopefully your kitty finds you, too
Thank you, I came for the embroidery and stayed for you. Yes to stitching and stories. You keep it real, there are a lot of floss tubers who are lovely people and they show wonderful patterns with lots of extras needed and amazing hauls. I do not either 1 have access to what they buy and 2 can afford what they buy. I then spend my time adapting for my budget if possible. You enabled me with the sewing machine, it is out of the cupboard where it has been ignored for a very long time and I am set to attack small projects, if I remember how to thread it.😂😂
I love to hear that! I think the more experience someone has in a field, the easier it is to forget the beginning stages, when you didn't have tons of time or tools or tricks - but learning and figuring it out in these early stages is so much fun!
Love your channel. Would love to hear more about your birth mother/adoption experience. Really, would love to hear more about everything, you have such an interesting life.
My tips for beginners are to alter existing clothing then jump into making something beautiful with curtains or sheets. My first from scratch was to make a reproduction of the Anne of Cleaves gown 😅
I have been sewing off and on since I was 12. I'm 57 now, and I still feel like a beginner in so many ways! I can relate to so much of your thinking. I have done alterations off and on for about 30 years, and I enjoy the problem solving, reverse engineering aspect of it. At the moment, I'm just doing what I want to do, which includes knitting and crochet, jewelry making and sewing.
On how you draft your patterns:
This is exactly how I would've explained it, if I'd had the words. Seeing the 2d parts of a 3d object is part of what I love about drafting a design.
It is also what I love about making tiny houses.
I've just gotten caught up on the Beauty and the Beast videos, and It was so good to see the update here.
I too am a theatre geek. I got involved after my husband death. I am strictly community theatre. All this to say I have done every job except writing scripts. My biggest costuming jobs have been The Crucible and A Midsummer Nights Dream. My favorite job is producing and greatest director. Just finished preparing blocking spreadsheet for my fall/winter production.
That's so exciting!! I costumed Midsummer too - what a fun (and massive!) show to work on! Break a leg on your next production!
I love Beyonce!
A serger was the best purchase I ever made. I have seen so many that sew on the sewing machine before using the serger. I guess I am a rebel because I go straight for the serger and then do my hems and finishings.
I am excited to see you guys get your house!
A round of applause for your research!
@@gettheetothestitchery it is amazing what you can find out in just five minutes.
Holiday decorator? So was I ! For 13 years plus office plants installation manager. Year round commercial tropical plant and maintenance business with extra seasonal jobs. In spring we were planting tulips in hotel planters, during the summer we created stunning floral displays , in fall it was gourd displays and mums, and in winter, it was poinsettia perepping and deliveries or we were up on genie lifts attaching huge wired bows on 25’ tree etc.. Best dream job ever.
A ton of your experiences match mine! Writing check. Poodle skirt check. My mother and grandmother were seamstresses. I sew for other people because when it comes to sewing for myself, that's when disaster hits, everytime. My goal for 2023 is to conquer that! Thanks for being our West Coast Rachel Maksy!
I subbed like a week ago. 🙂 lol 😆 so I'm so glad for this well timed video because I'm still in the "getting to know you" phase of my journey with your channel. And youtube keeps feeding me so many of your videos back to back to back and I love it
Enjoyed this so much. You have a special place in my heart, I adopted a baby and I blessed that birth mom every day. Thank you for the greatest gift you could ever give. And all the negative Nellie's you receive, tell them to go to h--l! I truly believe anyone who criticize are just jealous cause they can't do. My first and favorite RUclips is Rachel Makey. Love that girl. You all keep up the good work. You have been added to my very short list of favorites. Good luck in your new digs.❤
I also do theater and can sew and even though technically I was the assistant stage manager for the last show I did, I also ended up getting roped into costuming, especially for little things that were not enough bother to take to our actual sewing people. Oh and I had to figure out how to make a transforming dress functional because the lady who made it, while very lovely, had no idea how to both make a dress that can be "destroyed", still stay on the actor, and cover the second dress the actor had on underneath. 😂That was a lot of hand sewing and trials of "can we destroy it properly this time?"
Oh my goodness, the controlled destroying was the best part! Honestly, all those weird challenges you run into while costuming for theater are definitely the things I miss the most... I remember going outside to rub a dress in the grass one time and getting strange looks from passing students. Good times. XD
@gettheetothestitchery definitely love the weird challenges that come with working on a show. Especially if the story calls for magic :D
Try making temari balls! I went through a phase where I would go to therapy and then straight to the craft store looking for a new craft. I love making temari because it's inexpensive and looks beautiful from the very first one you make.
Oo it's number 3 on my needlework-to-learn list, right after sashiko and bargello!
I love your answer to the mending question!!! 😂😂😂
Hi Charlie, The zodiac sign for October 23 to November 21st is Scorpio and the zodiac sign for November 22 to December 21 is Sagittarius. There you go, love! Your channel is awesome and you are very welcome!!! Ta ta!!
She’s a Sagittarius! Now I see why I subscribed after 2 seconds, I felt the pull of a kindred spirit 😂
Niche... neesh = arcane or esoteric interest. Nitch = set-in wall cubby to display items. This is how I say them. 😀
Thank you, thank you, thank you! You, my dear, are a breath of fresh air. I love watching your videos because they inspire me so much. I am considerably older than you and have been sewing for over sixty years. I must say that I work very well with patterns, but I have been known to alter or redesign a garment or two in my time. Case in point, my wedding dress for my second marriage was a combination of three patterns. My first wedding dress was from a crocheted pattern that I altered as well. It was the only way I could get the dresses that I wanted. They were perfect. I enjoy watching your creative process, and I look forward to more videos in the future. May your house-buying and moving be smooth and easy.
Thanks for answering our questions, I hope you close on the house and the move goes well!
If you do a stitch and story, I'd like to request more about your pregnancy. I agree that the stigma needs to be pushed towards positivity.
I also am in the same boat with wanting to get tested. I suspected I might be autistic after I took a course in SPED (I got my degree in elementary education) years ago. I'm good about getting stuff done for other people, like calling my friends doctor's to set up appointments for them, but struggle to do so for myself. I know I'll get to it eventually though.
Another commenter asked if you have ever quilted. If you have, would absolutely love to see anything that you've done! I started quilting in late 2019, after I had a bunch of medical issues. It helped me come back from a very dark place and I always see quilting as this positive space that I can reground in. Though I also feel that way about sewing, in general.
Anyway, this was a fantastic video and I'm so happy that your channel is growing!
We'll get those appointments made someday!
I made that one quilt when I was a kid, but I haven't done any quilting since then - though that patchwork dress is certainly igniting some interest!
You were suggested and automatically played after a Rachel video for me 💖
I then subscribed 😂
Wated to.say Hi. Recently had RUclips bring you to my attention and I have loved every video of yours that I have watched so far. This one was extra special simply because of your honesty and openness about being a birth mother. This part of the adoption process needs more openness and talking about. Thank you for being willing to say what you said, what a beautiful act of love for her, her parents and you. If I could hug you and say it touched my heart, in a way I have no real reason to expect, I would.
Also love tje idea of chat and sewing. I'll probably knit as I watch as my sewing machine is behind my work computer...I really need more room!
YES! Stitching and Stories! And my choice for topic is ALL OF THEM!
Rachel Maksy is my favorite too!!! For the same reason, as well... her videos encouraged me to futz around and find out 😁
I design wheeler chair or walker bags in the nursing home where I live and 💕 love it all. Now I'm planning to sew my clothes 😂
10 out 11 rooms in my house are different shades of purple, and I actually spent over a decade with purple hair, so I guess ya could say I LOVE PURPLE!!! 💜😊💜
By the way, I love the adjustable skirts ya made and looking forward to the pants edition!
Am so understand that, the hurry up and wait. is killer for me. I am always making lists and can't stand not starting.
FWIW, I'd absolutely love "stitching and stories" (and I'm not even here for the embroidery, though like you, I find a lot of things interesting whether or not I'm doing them).
That’s exactly why I love watching Rachel Maksy!
Also I LOVE the idea of the Stitching and Stories series. I've been going through and watching old videos gradually (because my 18mo HAS NO SELF-PRESERVATION INSTINCT), and there were so many snippets you dropped in the "17 places" embroidery video that I would love to hear elaborated. That video was so wonderful and calming to have on while I folded laundry!
Yes looking for a new place to live is very intimidating and stressful and then waiting for that 30 days after the house to do a close on it is all so stressful I seriously understand because some of my sewing machines are vintage plus I have a lot of fabric not to mention my dress form all my cutting tools my thread my artwork and my recording equipment
I recommend pillowcases or basic af, elastic waist, sleep shorts ass first projects. Don't start with bags. They are more complex than you think and hard to get structurally right.
Drawstring bags for like, bulk produce or something are good ways to get used to a machine too. Small, straight stitching, doesn't really matter what material you use.
Earlier in this video, something you said about trying new things vs doing comfortable things made me think "huh, that sounds a lot like me, I wonder if she's AuDHD, not just ADHD?" And then you mentioned relating to Autism! I did not expect my random musing to be answered in the same video. The more of your videos I watch, the more it makes more sense why I feel so at home on this channel :)
I think the same AuDHD wondering briefly pooped into my head when I watched your "Symphony" video about how you think, but I have no idea what part of that video did that.
Also, I think from the sheer number of people who have ADHD themselves and have asked you if you also have ADHD, I doubt that you're just making up elaborate stories in your head. You can lie to yourself, but it's another story when simply the way that you exist prompts thousands of people to notice that your brain seems to work the same way that theirs does. In other words ~you are valid~ or whatever. I know you said you relate more to Autism, but ADHD and Autism share a lot of traits, so wondering if someone has ADHD and discovering that they are Autistic instead is very unsurprising. And you can have both ADHD and Autism at the same time, of course.
I don't think I've ever wondered this before, but why am I capitalizing "Autism?"
Also, it took me a year to get an ADHD diagnosis and I have procrastinated getting an official autism diagnosis for months for the same exact reasons you mentioned! I hate scheduling appointments!
Congratulations for this major step !
Does she have a spreadsheet to track her spreadsheets? I mean, of course she does. 😅😂😂😂
Glad to hear that you're doing ok with all the stuff going on. Waiting for all things while buying a house is stressful. Hopefully you close soon!
Oh and great video. Thanks for taking the time to do a q&a in the middle of getting ready to move!
The answer to "do you scrap projects" makes so much sense, but I've always had it in my head that I MUST complete every project (or other thing in life) and ideally complete it to perfection. Which is a pretty miserable way to live.
It's very helpful to see other people's creating styles. Yours is very different from mine, and I find it encouraging to see other people doing things differently from how I do, and succeeding. It encourages me to relax and be less strict and particular about doing things the "right" way.
Please put out the trashed project video. It's helpful to others to see its ok to say “NOPE" and that not everything goes story book perfect-its ok to walk away from or throw away something you're not enjoying. You can end it just talking about why you stopped, and reassure viewers it is ok to stop-do what makes you happy.. or something like that.
Story time while embroidery: yes.
I wash anything from thrift stores in hot water/dry on highs as soon as I get home just to be safe. If I get discount fabric online from a reliable seller that's safe .. well I have 20+ yards sitting on my couch that still needs washed.
Corsetry: look at making short stays first- basically sports bra of the corset world - you don’t have to fuss with waist/hip, just bust/under bust and straps. That’s what I did. I actually want to remake mine and adjust them to be front lacing instead of in the back, then move into larger corsets.
I also reward or try to make chores fun-I listen to RUclipsrs I like while doing dishes/laundry/ironing/sweeping… the chattier ones rather than “you have to watch to know wtf if going on”. I did cored while watching this but did stop to look at your embroidery and pup.
For the person who asked if you can make your own clothes without a sewing machine, YES!
When in college, I didn't have my machine with me and was unable to take the stairs to the laundry room for a week. I made a weeks worth of clothes in one weekend all by hand!
The way you explained drafting a pattern in your head sounds exactly like how I do it 👌👌
Nice to meet you Matt! Would love to know more about your how we met story!
Stitching and stories would be amazing! Love watching your videos , thank you!
I would seriously watch just about anything that you put out, lol. I love your new channel with like story time! I would love to see any quitting projects that you might make. Sometimes things don't work and that's ok, and I think you would make it feel ok for people that might feel badly about that.
It's okay that your video was 50 minutes I actually sat here and get a new set of nail tips and left comments in a thumbs up
Congrats!
Also, when crochet's time comes, you'll love it. I learned the very basic stitch and how to add and drop stitches, and then promptly improvised a tea-cosy. I rarely count stitches or follow patterns.
Other beginner projects: anything for small kids. They’re basically small rectangles. You can make things without sleeves or legs and they will be super happy because they don’t have critical eyes for wonky seams. They just want cool fabric (and things without legs or sleeves can be worn longer). E.g., wrap skirts, capes, sleeveless tops, aprons… I just used Charlie’s video on pleats and the other one where the first half was an apron and I merged the two to make a cute apron for a 5 year old. I learned that heavy knits are not optimal for aprons 😂 And that sometimes pleats and pockets are a trade-off… But it’s cute!
I am autistic and probably have an attention disorder as well and your videos are just the right pacing and lenght for my brain to actually pay attention to what you're saying. I really struggle with focus and motivation and I really related to a lot of what you said. Reward system works quite well for me.
Also, Stitching and stories would be an amazing kind of videos! I always have videos or podcasts in the background as I handsew/embroider and your storytelling is very compelling. Also, English is not my first language but I understand you without needing to look at the subtitles so it's even better!
❤ thank you. Watched a lot of your videos and your whole approach to sewing and life in general is incredibly real. You aren't doing this as you want to be the next big thing, you have found a way to be true to you and your journey. You have a middle aged hit n hope sewer fan from South Wales in the UK 😊
I know I'm late to the party...I loved your answering of so many questions..you're amazing!! And YES!! The story and stitch idea is fantastic!! xo
Do not go off of numbers/analytics...
There are days in the hospital, there are days of nothing but sleep... which means, no watching you tube in those days/ periods... but I always go back and catch up! ❤
This is over a year later and you mentioned several items you would talk about if someone was interested in listening. I enjoy the conversations you carry on and love the tangents. Lease tell us all the stories, whether you’re doing something like talking while you’re doing something like embroidering or actually anything. You’re always interesting on your videos. I love your philosophy of just starting to do it. Stop if you are getting frustrated but try it again. I was really interested in your story and method of approaching a new project. Video it but if it sucks no one is forcing you to do it except yourself. And of course the need to have a video available for release. If you can build up some extra videos and release it when you’re just to do one. If you don’t finish sh it, oh well. If you talk it’ll be interesting. Even seeing a failure would be interesting.
Thank you so much for all your great content. You are re-igniting my love of learn-as-I-go sewing. I too was not enamored of sewing, knitting, crochet, embroidery, or really any fabric art as a child. Then in my 20's I got into non-serious historical re-enactment (SCA), so I looked at pictures, traced or modified existing garments, then proceeded to make my own cape and multiple costumes based on pictures. Initially with very low cost fabrics, sheets and tablecloths, then later pricier and pricier fabrics culminating in a brocade Italian Renaissance style dress. Then life got busy. In my late 30's I learned to sew sundresses and skirts from commercial patterns under the tutoring of my Aunt, an excellent sewist and expert maker of quilt tops. I do Japanese Sashiko embroidery, recently embellished and sewed a cube shaped "komebukuro" rice bag as a project bag for a wizard level knitter friend. Have you considered dyeing fabrics yourself for future projects? I am obsessed with stitched shibori dyeing, so that's next on my list. The way you work through problems makes so much sense to me, and I was recently diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. Thanks again for helping me see the fun in sewing, again!!
I'm so glad you found a way into making things that clicked for you! I've got several dying projects on my list - mostly, I really want to experiment with natural dyes and see what colors I can get!
I am also a musical theatre geek! I have had the pleasure of directing many students including Disney world performers, an off Broadway actor, and a popular TV lead.
That's amazing!!
@@gettheetothestitchery I'm retired now and am still in touch with them. You know how much effort theatre takes, but it was all worth it! And thanks for sharing your world with us.
Whats helped me get sewing again is to approach it as the goal being to use the fabric in my stash and to finish projects. I'm maybe just above beginner level and taking the pressure off of the finished product being good or something I'll wear often makes it lower stakes. Also, this weekend I was wanting to go to the fabric store and made myself work on a project I had cutout to justify spending more money on sewing and now I have a pair of lounge shorts.
Oo see that's a great reward system in place!
I'm experienced with sewing for most of my life and I still buy bedsheets and quilt covers for fabric as its so much cheaper than buying by the yard.
I have thought about how you have almost reverse ADHD with the hyperfocus on organizing and lists. I strongly related when you said you stress out thinking about lists you can't attend to. This led me to wonder if you were neurodivergent and what you might "have". I've also considered myself to be on the spectrum however since it's so hard for not just females but adults to get an autism diagnosis I haven't reached out to a professional. If you ever do (and feel comfortable), I'd love to hear that side of your story! 💞
the patchwork dress and the one you're currently wearing in this video are my favorite things you've made so far and I need to make some for me lol.
Learning to take a situation and break it down into manageable bites is something I still struggle with, but I'm getting better at (at the ripe old age of 62 -- I'll get this adulting thing figured out eventually!)
It is amazing how relatable you are. I truly enjoy listening to you explain your way of thinking. It is inspirational, not to be redundant, and relatable. Thank you so much for sharing your life and journey with us.
I'm amazed at how many of your views I relate to, and I love it. You put into words thoughts I haven't fully explored and so I'm listening and go "Yes! That!"
Especially in sewing underwear and bras.
You’re wonderful.❤
I relate to not wanting to use patterns or recipes... I think for me I'm compensating for my poor short term memory (thats the ADHD 😅). When I do use a recipe I write it out in a way that I can understand, so it's more like a list of prompts for smaller tasks I'm already familiar with. I wonder if I could approach patterns in the same way. I also feel less silly if I mess up when I'm just making it up, rather than mess up a set of clear instructions.
Also it's more engaging if it's challenging!
I loved this Q&A! First off I have made several corset tops and they're actually easier than you'd think and from what I've seen you make you're more than capable and would be able to figure it out. Second I didn't know that you were a birth mom and would love to hear more about it. My husband and I are currently actively waiting to adopt and so I'd really love your perspective as a birth mom and as much of your story as you'd be comfortable sharing.
I have a question for you :) can you design a nightgown/dress similarly to your dolman? Sleeve tutorial please. Could you show the “boring” parts too? How you manage to measure the awkward things. Your brain process when thinking out the shapes of the armholes necklines and pro/con of having added cuffs on sleeves or just hemming the sleeves.. basically every single thing to design something that fits the way it’s desired to fit? I would adore allllllll those extra details! You are a doll! And so helpful!
I'll definitely put it on the list! I love the dolman sleeve maxi dress I made in that project, so I've been thinking it would be great to do some more dolman sleeve projects - I'll make sure to go more "tutorial" style if I do!
I only found you recently and have been binging your videos.
I would love for you to do more talky videos, your stories are fascinating and inspiring to me as a person afraid to try new things. I like to listen to podcasts and videos like your life map one as I do stuff, they make boring stuff fun.
I would also love it if you could explain french seams, as i just don't get it.
That's good to know! It's funny, I often feel like I'm talking too much in a video or a video that's just me talking is weird, but yeah, people love podcasts and it's just talking, so... I guess lean into it!
And I'll make a note to talk about french seams more the next time I use them!
Stitching and Stories sounds like an amazing series. I'd enjoy hearing more in-depth discussions on a lot of the topics you skimmed over.