You know what's funny? I follow your channel because I dream of being able to sew my own clothes-clothes that fit my "unconventional" body. I'm now in my early 20s, standing at 5'1" and weighing never more than 90 lbs. Well, I also don't know why, but recently I found out that my spine has scoliosis of about 38°, and maybe that's related. All this time I've felt ashamed, scared, and worried because of having a different shape from others-too thin and short, even asymmetrical, not like "how a man should be." And I've been holding it all in because I didn't know how and where to express it. After hearing your story, I couldn't help but write this to say thank you because all those feelings seem to have been represented by your story. Thank you for sharing that story and those feelings. I always enjoy your videos.
First and foremost, Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing a bit about yourself in the comments. I am happy to hear you were able to relate to my story. May you make all the clothes you desire and create your inner confidence. You got this. We got this.
I understand, @zeem12. I have two curves (an S-curve) that are 37° each. I'm lucky, my curves are relatively balanced, but also evident so no backless dresses or swimsuits. I'm (well, I was) 5' 2.5", but unlike you, I've been overweight for most of my life. Turns out there's a medical reason for part of that. Over the years there have been rude remarks about my spine (as if it was something I could control) or weight and both made me feel diminished--until I decided that I can't do anything about their rudeness and I CAN control how I feel about it and/or react to it. That makes life better.
Bernadette Banner does historical sewing, but she has scoliosis and talks about sewing for it. If you're ever interested. Lots of people with asymmetrical bodies find sewing as a way to dress themselves. Just saying, you belong in the sewing community whenever you want. 💜
I'm only 4'10"" and nearly 74years. All my live first my mom and later on I made my own clothes. I have to draft my own patterns. Cornelius you help me so much. Thank you. I'm from South Africa
You’re a star to us Cornelius! This could have been the origin story for a Marvel supervilain, but you turned it into something positive. By the way I’m a 42yo man from Montreal and I have cystic fibrosis. Growing with this disease you cough a lot and you struggle getting all nutrients for growth, which leaves you with a big rib cage and narrow shoulders. I struggled all my life finding clothes that fit, but I recently started learning how to sew and you are a huge help in my journey. Thank you for your amazing work ❤
Thank you for willing sharing a bit about yourself. It sounds like you've managed to embrace yourself as well and hope you are able to make clothes to fit yourself as you desire. Thank you for watching. 🙏🏻
So strong of you to talk about it openly! 💪 love how you explain the mental struggles the accident brought with it - Im sure itll help some people! Your sewing Videos are helping me atm cause I just started and you explain a lot in great detail and you SHOW stuff. Thank you!
You may never know how many people you have touched here by sharing your truth, but know there are now, and will be many people who are so thankful you have! ❤
Dang... I love when he talked about dating. He was just vulnerable. He admitted how hypocritical and shallow he was about judging girls for what he believed were physical shortcomings despite being upset at women doing the same thing to him. Like, he just admitted that... to over a hundred thousand people, online, where nothing ever truly dies. That takes guts, I admire it, and honestly its refreshing. This guy is human. It's awesome.
Yeah, I was initially gonna cut this bit out, but then put it because I figured, if I am truly going to be vulnerable, this is the most honest bit. I am not perfect, it wasn't a healthy way of thinking and if anyone can learn from it, like I did, then it's worth it. I'm glad you appreciated it. Thanks for watching.
Cornelius your rad. 44 today. You taught me how to measure and make my own pants today. I'm a contractor and as hard as a fucking coffin nail. If my buddies new I was watching your videos and loving them I would never hear the end of it. You have more courage than me bud. Keep being you.
You should take pride in knowing how to sew your own pants! I doubt any of your buddies would. It's a skill, and one that should be learned! Take pride in it lad! Here's a line for your buddies if they ever tease you: "You may wear the pants in your family, but I know how to make mine!" Most people now a days don't even know how to sew back on a button to a shirt! I know 'traditionally' sewing is seen as more feminine now a days, but it has a deep masculine history as well, just ask the Scots that knew how to knit! It's a skill that is an important!
I'd send it to my younger brother, a sickle cell warrior who couldn't get past the pyschological thing no matter how hard we tried but i'm so sad, he left us early this year. This would have helped, i'm sure. I hope it inspires others ❤❤
So many of us makers (especially of wearable items) come from a similar background of desiring to dress our bodies in a way standard clothing hasn’t been able to. Thank you for sharing your story and like so many other makers, it really resonates.
Love the openness and sharing - We should all live in the "Fullness of Humanity" 💫(the good the bad and the ugly) and love each other along the way. We have NONE of these "issues" yet we all live ALL of these "issues" (we are all different stage of living them)
I've wondered about your story for as long as I've watched your videos, but I never expected you to share, or to share in such a personal way. What a gift you've given. Thank you. I'm humbled. The reason I started watching your channel is that I've always felt uncomfortable in my own body, and the way clothes fit (or mostly fail to fit) is a big contributor to those feelings. I don't have a specific reason to feel that way. I'm just tall-ish and lanky-ish enough that the retail experience of clothing myself is a mild but constant humiliation. From the first video of yours that I watched, I thought, "Now, here is a person who understands that clothes should make you feel good." Clothes, like societies, should fit the humans that live in them, not the other way around. I hope you will keep teaching us how to make it so.
Bless you. It is community that helps us grow, but that is a chasm that our inner selves are scared to cross. Everyone, who thinks they don't need them, ridicules support groups. You know the type to which I fefer. The personal experiences in those groups help us to connect and let go of blanket of isolation. I hope I said this right.
@ryneches Well thank you for being vulnerable as well and for sharing a bit about yourself in the comments here. I am glad to hear you were able to get that from my videos and hope you're able to make yourself all the clothes you desire! Thanks for watching. 🙏🏻
I can’t begin to express how this touched me. It’s the most real and beautiful thing I have seen on RUclips in a very long time….maybe ever. Thank you 🙏🏼
i can definitely relate to “not looking like other men” and constantly comparing yourself to men that you see on the street, in movies, magazines. i think one of the most beautiful things about being human is the variety of shapes in which we come in, no two people are identical and being perfectly symmetrical is quite frankly, unheard of. people often preach about body positivity, but something that is equally important is body neutrality, and as you state in this video, it is the reality that your body just is
I'm pretty new to your channel, but was immediately intrigued by your humor and calm style. I have learned much from your tutorials. with this video, I was riveted and also in a turmoil of emotions. I was born 2 months premature and as a consequence I have Cerebral Palsy. With years of blood, sweat and tears, I have learned to first, strive to overcome my physical challenges, then gradually to learn not to hate my body for its' limitations and to come to a point( when I was in my early 50's) of learning to love my body, accepting it with love. To my surprise, it surprised me by being able to do more than I had previously thought was possible. Your history resonates with mine, and I am grateful to hear of your story, I found myself nodding as you described your experiences and thoughts. It is terribly frightening to put yourself in such a vulnerable position. Kudos and much thanks for sharing, my respect for you has increased tremendously.
Well thank you for sharing a bit about yourself as well. It's great to get to hear from the folks watching my content. Thank you for also being vulnerable and sharing your story in the comments here! It makes me happy to hear you've been able to figure out a way to embracing who you are, but also doing more than you thought you could. Good on you!
You, Mr. C., are AN INSPIRATION! For sharing your truth and testament, you have helped so many people to break free and just, be. The late, great Maya Angelou said, “You are enough.” Mr. C, your best is yet to come and YOU ARE ENOUGH. I will say this much: the journey is better with community. Have LOTS OF FRIENDS!!!😊
woah that for me felt like quite a privilege for you to let us see behind the tailors curtain, takes a lot of strength to lay it out bare to all, admirable and sure it will help others going through the same thought process if not just to say "your not alone in this, i've been there too'" and there is a way through. thanks C
Indeed, it's amazing how much love and support comes back to us when we open up and allow ourselves to be vulnerable. Thanks for watching and for your support. 🙏🏻
The mirror is our biggest critic. Your story is inspiring and humbling. We are all on this earth for a reason and your story is inspiring and I thank you for telling it. At 67 I sew my clothes and with your help they make me look great. Thanks for your story and for all you do.
Wow. You left me speechless. And in between breathless. I also had an anomaly for years until I had surgery at 36. This 'push his hand away' - I remember it so well! Thank you so very much. You help a lot of people with that video.
You are amazing and brave. Many of us experience similar. I love that you sew. Also, remember that you are a valid person. It’s ok for you to not accept absolutely anyone that happens to fancy you, just like everyone else. You are not defective, you are a survivor and a hero.
I was immediately drawn to you and your work because I could feel that farm boy through the screen. I saw myself, my dad, my grandpa all appreciating your work in my head. Thanks for sharing this.
Cornelius, thanks you so much for showing up just like you are, and also sharing your story with so much presence and acceptation. It resonates so much with me, growing up being constantly bullied and rejected at school for years, divorced parent, no "self-love model". I felt the shame to not be lovable as I am - it impacted much of my life. Today, I'm 30 and I truly feel compassion for us. I'm happy this morning that you're sharing your story. Thanks you. I love who you are! You inspired me to take sewing classes and it's so fun!! 🤙 Cheers from Quebec, Canada.
It really always is the emotional/mental struggle that is the greatest challenge, isn't it?! Indeed, thank you for sharing a bit about yourself in the comments here and thank you for watching mine story as well. It is much appreciated.
I'm a skinny guy too and i can kinda relate, andi think you use your time and energy on productive way better than me despite the struggles. Your sewing achievements proves it. Awesome channel
This is such a lovely, vulnerable conversation with the camera, thank you for sharing. It’s incredibly strong of you. Your sewing videos are very inspiring, so it follows the man making them is too
Cornelius, your video "How to draft a men's pant pattern... and fix fit issues!" serves as my blueprint for acquiring a new skill. The reason is that I acknowledge there's a method to learning, and your explanation rates 10 out of 10. In terms of what I've seen so far, (behaviorist method in education), I've successfully completed "Drafting the back" and plan to continue until I finish. I want to express that you are blessed with the gift of teaching, despite any shortcomings resulting from the accident which was no fault of yours. Thanking you for posting these videos and thanking you for posting this video which I personally hope will inspire others to press forward and claim their prize in life.
You are very kind with your words, thank you. Thank you as well for checking out what I post and good luck with the pant draft you're working on. I hope they turn out as you plan.
I like the way you used lighting to show how you feel/felt about yourself since your accident. I have muscular dystrophy, so I can absolutely empathize with how you relate to your body. It doesn’t always respond the way you want, and yeah. It’s frustrating as hell. But it is. And you just have to roll with it.
It's amazing how much those very specific bodies public figures and especially celebrities usually have can get into our heads and make us obsess over features which, unless they cause pain or practical difficulty, really don't matter in day to day life. We don't need to be perfectly muscular or thin or have a certain complexion or hairstyle to be worthy of love, and your tailoring videos really help me (and probably others, too) to appreciate our bodies and their unique details.
That was the best Christmas gift ever to me. A lesson on radical self acceptance. And a lesson on being authentic. Your sewing alterations have taught me so much, now your story has taught ke more. Many blessings 🌻🍄
Thank you for sharing. So many things in that I can relate to. It's liberating when you reach that point when you realise you are you and that's more than enough. My motto is similar; It is what it is. Don't dwell on it just embrace it and get on with life. Thanks you for being an inspiration. 👏👏
Corn man, it only makes sense in retrospect. But keep doing what you like to do, keep making your art. You eventually learn you care about these "things" more than anyone else will, and what others actually care about is who you are and what you do. Ive been type 1 diabetic since I was 5 and have countless issues that would take to long to explain. But over time you learn to change your expectations. Not lower them but change them to things you find more important. Worry less about what you cant change and focus on doing what you can. I personally strive to inspire others no matter how small the inspiration. And because of you I made a pair of pants and a pair of shorts. Thats pretty cool. And I will totally make more :P
Thank you for sharing a bit about yourself. It's great to get to hear from the folks watching my content, in this case specifically, sharing your life experiences. I'm glad to hear you've been able to make yourself a few clothes from my videos!
CQ, your story resonates with me so deeply. Thank you for sharing your emotional journey along with the facts. For this internet stranger, it means a great deal to hear from another person that the feelings are normal and okay. Acceptance is difficult, not impossible, but boy, the road to get there can be rocky sometimes. After 20 years, I don’t feel as angry and embarrassed as I used to that my body doesn’t work the way it should. Thank you for your vulnerability and openness.
Well thank you and thanks for sharing a bit about your emotional journey as well! It's great for me to hear about others experiences of acceptance and personal growth, as well.
You’re such a talented communicator and tailor. I really enjoy learning while being entertained. I didn’t assume any back story relating to your build, really. I like how your clothes look on you. Fit is everything, as they say, and yours always fit nicely. : )
I am new to your channel, but ever since I watched your video about the little ruler gauge, I was hooked. I think I just watched about 20 of your videos and then came across this one. I've been sewing for about 65 years, but I have learned so many things from you that I never knew. I watch to learn, but also I absolutely love your sense of humor and timing. I'm so glad you survived that accident, because the sewing world would have lost a real treasure. And you know what, no one cares if one arm is different from the other. It's the person inside that matters, and from what I've seen of you, it's awesome. Plus I love the black cowboy hat. It makes you unique and stand out from all the others. I join all the others in thanking you for sharing your story with us. That takes a lot of courage, but I can tell you that many, many people have been blessed by hearing it. 😊
You are very kind, thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to get to know me online. I'm honoured to have been able to share something new in the world of sewing.
Hello ! Just one think : thank you ! Thanks to share with us your story, your emotional journey, your actual feeling. You say : "it is" and "I am" and it's the most important, you ARE and I'm happy too look at you share your sewing thought process with humour, calm and class. I hope, not have a too french english 😂. Have a good day ! Kissss !
I enjoy your videos, I’m glad you take the time to share your expertise with us. Many people sew because their bodies do not fit easily into shop bought clothing. While yours is an extreme example I think many people fight with how they “should” look, as if there were not billions of answers to that question. I’m glad you took the time to explain your differences, but they are never the thing I see when I watch your videos. I love your humour, your sewing trials, the way you explain things, the interaction with your family. Although you are 1000 miles away I view you as a sewing friend who pops round now and again. Good luck for the future, wishing you all the best.
Well I enjoy "popping by" for a sew and thank you for returning the visit by popping in the comments here :) Indeed, many of us are coming to terms with who we are physically and emotionally. Thank you for the kind words and thanks for watching.
Thank you for sharing your story. You are a strong man. Much love to you for the process you have been through. I love your channel and have learned a lot. Cheers!
As an occupational therapist watching your video I was curious about the posture of your right hand, trying to assess as I watched. Thank you for doing this educational video. Especially explaining both the physical and emotional aspects of the experience. Your tenacity and commitment to sharing your journey and showing your talents is exactly the example I want to share with my clients as encouragement. 🕺Go Cornelius!
Cornelius Quiring-You are Amazing! I never noticed anything but Amazing from your RUclipss! Thank You for always being Awesome You! Thank You for always inspiring us! :)
we love you, Corn! my friends and I spent a good week watching your video on drafting and making pants. it was a great moment that we all bonded over. thank you for sharing and for all you do! “It is/I am” ❤️🔥💯🙏
Very emotional and authentic! I feel lucky to hear such a personal story! You are honestly very beautiful! Thank you for sharing such a deep and meaningful story! ❤
Sorry about your struggles. You seem to be a very confident and capable person and it appears that God has been looking out for you. Be strong and keep the faith!
Thank you for sharing this Cornelius. I've always admired you, you have a soothing voice and a way of communicating to your audience that is captivating. Though injuries are part of who you are, it doesn't define you as a person. Your talent, dedication and strength shine through. Much love to you.
I stumbled upon your channel for the first time yesterday as I was looking for some sewing help. I found that the first sewing video I viewed was helpful, and I enjoyed the humorous and logical way you delivered the information, so I started looking for more. Then I found this one. I wanted to applaud you for sharing your story. It takes a lot of courage to share intimate details like this, and I’m certain that this video will benefit others. 🤗
I think your (initial?) struggles with dance has as much to do with being raised Mennonite as anything else. 😅 This was a great video. Many of the struggles of permanent injury and chronic disease are nearly universal, even if the individual situations can be very different from each other. And having grown up around three-wheeled cotton pickers and knowing how top heavy they are.. your description of the accident gave me a visceral shiver. It is lucky you survived. Best wishes to you, and please keep making videos to entertain and educate us. They are always well done. I initially followed to catch glimpses of plautdietsch with English subtitles-since the language is pretty much dead in my community-but I enjoy the sewing videos too.
Indeed, being a Mennonite definitely did not "help" making me feel liberated in dance and it was multiplied by the accident. It sounds like you may be a fellow Mennonite or even live in a community with Mennonites? Thanks for watching and for sharing your thoughts in the comments here.
You are incredible , your story is bound to help someone. I’ve been watching your sewing videos and love how you explain everything. Honestly I never realized anything different while watching your videos. Thank you for sharing. You are incredible and amazing.
Thank you Cornelius for opening up like that .. I am teaching myself sewing and I always love your lessons and atmosphere ..you’ve helped me a lot ..! Much love to you ..!
Time makes its own story and you narrated your story very well. To live up to others exptations we tend to lie to ourselves its at the Time we accept we are who we are that we are then free.
What an inspiring video you've created. Your candid message to me is: one cannot run away from oneself and everyone must learn to love and to be loved, but one must learn to love oneself first. Your story sends many positive and valuable lessons. Thanks kindly and God Bless !
I think your body is beautiful. Its brought you through 30 years, through an accident which couldve killed you. Im still working on the same pain- i was permanently disabled with chronic pain after car accidents. Ive been permanently disabled by strep bacteria (pandas) and theres so much more mentally and genetically. Im still in the stage where all i want is to be loved. People want me for my body, but they dont want to love me despite my body. Youre an inspiration to me
Powerful story and I'm grateful for you sharing it. There's nothing quite like someone opening up about their experiences in such a sincere way. Much respect to you and thanks always for your helpful videos!
It turns out people rarely notice or give a crap about the things we find wrong with ourselves. "Your harshest critic is always going to be yourself." -Michael Ian Black
I've only seen one of your videos before, but I had no idea that you had this struggle. What I find most interesting is that, in spite of having less range in. your hand, you sure can sew!
It’s so good of you to share this, so many people out there will be going through similar experiences and this could make them feel so much less alone. My mother needed life saving surgery, but it left her facially disfigure. She lost confidence and took a long time getting it back. I wish the world was less obsessed with how we looked.
She had the surgery when I was a young girl, and I can’t remember what she looked like before that. As I got older and realised she was looked at so differently it almost shocked me. Something you take as normal can put fear in others. By the time I was a teenager I would take her out and about with me, I like to think that giving her an ally and a share of my quiet confidence helped. Thank you.
Hi, I just found your channel and I love it. You are an excellent teacher! About your personal story… you are an inspiration even for people without a visible injury. The way you process your trauma is a reflection of your honest, stoic and kind personality. Definitely not everyone is capable of rising above inner pain. I had an uncle with a similar childhood injury, who developed a hump. Unfortunately, as an adult he became an opposite of you - bitter, jealous and angry- DESPITE being surrounded by family, being a physics professor, a PHD, loved by a beautiful wife and having a son. He was still endlessly jealous, overcompensating, and even cruel in personal life. His son’s life is completely screwed up too by that horrible aura. How sad… I am very touched by you, dear Cornelius, telling your story and I admire your courage.
What a wonderful video. I am obese. I have tried everything to fix the problem. I hide my body from my husband. I feel shame and disgust. I used to be a healthy person with a normal weight but things change after having children and of course, the age thing. Your video touched me and helped with a little more understanding of life and its tribulations. Thank you.
I came to the channel for the sewing but have been so grateful to find this glimpse into the wonderful, inspiring person that you are. Thank you so much for sharing in such an open and creative way. Loved the changes in lighting as you told your story. The videos are amazing. It was also powerful to see the emotion on your face and in your eyes. My sternum is a bit crooked. I’ve always been self conscious about that, with myself and with partners. Your story inspired me this morning. Thank you my friend. This made my day.
Well thank you for opening up a bit and tell me a bit about yourself as well. It's great to get to hear from the folks watching my content. Happy sewing.
Wow, powerful message! Everyone will hear this and understand the bits that are in them. Emotional, mental and physical injuries all foster these outcomes. Thank you for sharing the process you used to break free of the cage our minds will lock us into.
I am 4'9" and have large bones. I have struggled with my weight all my life. I have always had child like features. People have never treated me with much respect. I have always been treated like some sort of mascot in my peer groups. I can so relate to your emotional stages you have gone through. I am old now, and I think I have accepted it. But, occasionally I find a friend that I think they are treating me like normal and I get lulled into a sense of trust, only to be heartbroken when we are all around other people and they distance themselves from me....and there I am again....a mascot....... thank you for your video. You show me that I am not the only one out there that has experienced emotional trauma with things that have happened to them or are not at all in their control. Cudos for what must be such a difficult reveal for you! This really can help alot of people out there. Thank You!
Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing a bit about yourself, in the comments here. That too, is brave. I wish you peace and strength. Thank you for watching as well.
Cornelius, thank you for sharing this story! Everybody, well, I should say some people feel very uncomfortable with the bodies they have, including me. I have many of those emotions you had. I found a man who loves me for me, and it took years for me to love myself for who I am. "It Is!" Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for sharing your story. 😊❤😊
I have Severe Psoriatic Arthritis have had Psoriasis since I was 2. Can't be cured. It now affects my joints. I understand this video. I feel this video. I am overweight have 4 kids. Not young anymore. I have 4 grandkids. The man who "loved" me well after 20 yrs = 10 yrs lonely. Is no longer in my life. BUT YOU HAVE A TALENT. As an adult that means something. It means A lot. I enjoyed your video. Thanks, and just know You are 1 of many. We all rebuild ourselves sometimes many times in a life time and that just means WE CHOOSE TO COME OUT THE OTHER SIDE COME WHAT MAY.
Thank you for sharing a bit about yourself and being vulnerable in the comments. You said it very well and indeed it is up to us to move forward. And yes, these days everyone gets a chance :) Turns out it was me.
I always wondered why you were very direct about everything. Especially in your voice. I’m sorry about your childhood trauma and tragedy. I had a childhood/teenage tragedy as well. I highly understand your feelings.
Thank you. You’ve beautifully explain the innermost misfit feelings of those of us who are not “perfect”. Interesting how we spend our energy trying to compensate so much that we excel in many things, yet the inner critic causes us to then feel like imposters. Life is such an interesting mysterious journey and it is in the sharing that we help each other along the way. Stay strong and shine on!!
Everyone is different. That’s so much better than everyone being the same. Many of us are judged by others regarding our physical appearance, our style, our personality, our jobs, our dreams…wow. Those judgy people have way too much time on their hands. Not sure how they do it because I’m too busy dealing with my own issues and have no time to judge their issues. Those of us who have no time (or desire) to body shame others are the fortunate ones. They’re the ones with the problem. Voice of experience here.
I love the fact that you had the courage to make this video - thank you❤.Everyone should see it,truly.We live in the world where many people want to look perfect and the truth is that we don't need a perfect body- we just need A body to function.This pressure to look certain way is outdated and kills our individuality as human beings.Huge thank you for being a beautiful soul 🙏🏻 (and very gifted tailor if course!)
Very well put, we never know what people are going through do we I never would have guessed but you seem mentally stable about that part of your life and body now. Thanks for sharing
The rage and shame is so real. The high standards put upon others of which I am willing to accept is very relatable. Because I hate myself and my habits and wish I was better or born different. But that is nonsense. I am born as me and I am what I am. There is nothing to love or hate. Only accept and move.
You are one brave guy. Sharing pictures of the impact of your accident will give others courage and inspiration but I bet it took courage. That’s what inspires your sewing videos - helping yourself and others to deal with the life you were given. Not all heroes wear capes! Good luck in all you do.
I think you are charming. And brilliant. I love your sewing videos and they have helped me gain confidence in my own ancient sewing skills, recently picked up again upon retirement. I didn’t know of your incident and appreciate the insight. Please know that you are loved for who you are. The whole package.
This is a wonderful, moving story. Thanks for sharing it. I have struggled for many years with cancers, many of which have left scars on my face, and have taken part of one ear. I struggle a little with those scars, because they are so "visible" to me. I don't know that anyone else cares, but it is still a challenge for me. I really relate to your story! Your challenges are so much greater than mine, but your strength is even greater. You are still a hero to many of us. Thanks
Thank you for sharing. I'm hypermobile so have had a lot of joint injuries including separated shoulders and a spinal fracture, and deal with chronic pain, and one of the things people hear me say as I'm doing something a little differently to either work around a current injury or prevent future injury is "life is all about the workarounds". Gotta figure out how to do what you want to do with what you've got. Sometimes it takes a lot of extra work just to do things most people take for granted, and not everyone starts at the same starting line, so maybe it's not a race, but a journey we're all on together. I just discovered your channel, and will be sticking around. I follow a lot of female vintage and historical sewists but they rarely make the kind of clothing I'm comfortable in, I'd rather be in working class clothing, and generally pants or trousers. I tend to describe my personal aesthetic as somewhere between "carpet goblin" and "plaid my mother hates" or "f-off, it's comfortable" and my hip to waist ratio makes me fit better into menswear than women's, that bulkiness you found with the pleated pants is what I get any time I wear any women's pants, so it's going to be nice going through your footage for hints and tricks to fit a body that doesn't conform to current fashion standards. I have such trouble with waistbands that anything will help. (I have all of an inch of space between my bottom rib and the top of my hip so belts are not comfortable but I've increased the size of my waist via core exercises for the spinal injury enough that now my pants fall down, and the padding around the middle that I've acquired over the years has not helped, I need like negative two inches of ease for a waistband to stay where it belongs if I want to put anything in the pockets, and I don't find suspenders comfortable around my bust. "Don't think, just do", yeah I hear that a lot in martial arts. And it just occurred to me now that it probably comes from people whose muscle memory is easy to program. Mine isn't. Peiple who learn easily don't understand that there's a big difference between needing to brain your way through till your body can do the thing versus being mentally caught up by minutia to the point where your body stops moving. I cannot watch someone do a thing I don't know how to do and then repeat the thing myself without them leading me stepwise through it while I'm trying to make my body move. I have had one instructor in the 23 years I've been doing Aikido who realized this and would instruct me accordingly, for all other instructors I have to watch them, try to note specifically what they did (or after a decade or two, categorize it as a movement that I already know and try to note if there are any differences) and then try to remember it long enough to drag my body though the motions enough times before we move on to the next thing to maybe be able to do it again if it comes up next class. It's something I try to keep in mind when I'm teaching Aikido now, I sometimes feel like the people who have the most trouble learning something make the best instructors and I try to live up to that. And I try to find accommodations for students whose bodies or minds don't work in the generally accepted ways. I've taken dance lessons too (ballroom, bellydance and ballet) and I have the same problem learning the moves. 49 and still have to think about left or right. Even learning to drive a car, it was about a year before I was solid in gas vs brake (my poor dad, who had to supervise me, had nerves of steel), and I'm really glad that I got the chance to learn how to manage a clutch pedal and shifter while not also contending with traffic (I worked a high school cooperative education placement where I got to do the day before pre-drive of vehicles being tested on a dynamometer). Some of us really need to break things down into much smaller steps than a lot of other people. I have been doing another particular kata-based sword art for over 20 years specifically because I am terrible at being choreographed and wish to improve. I guess it's worked, since when the instructor isn't there, I teach the class. I tell anyone that I'm trying to teach anything to that I'm not good, just persistent, and I've already made all the mistakes that they haven't yet made. My Aikido instructor always says to make "big glorious mistakes", and he's not wrong, I find most people learn a lot more from making a mistake and having to correct it and then avoid making it again than they do from getting it right the first time. I think the best thing I did for myself with respect to taking martial arts as an adult was to check my ego at the door and accept and embrace that I will look stupid while I'm learning. And I will always be learning, so I'm resigned to the possibility that I will look stupid at any point in time.
I have been thinking about creating a video myself about the challenges I have faced throughout the years due to an injury I sustained and thought that it might be helpful for others, having watched your video I now understand that it will be helpful for others. Thank you for sharing your story, and keep sewing on.
You are a wonderful teacher. Your shirt tutorial helped me fix a t-shirt hack. 😅 But that one lesson has propelled me so much in my sewing journey. ❤ Thank you for sharing. Thank you for teaching. Please continue....😊
Thank you so much for sharing this. It hits a very strong, poignant note for me & I can’t help but think about all the other people you’re able to help with this video. I have hemifacial microsomia & was only diagnosed with it last year. It basically means half my head (& some aspects of my spine) didn’t develop properly. At 17, half of my face was suddenly paralysed & so many things you touched on rang so completely true. Now, in my 30’s, physical complications are becoming more apparent & painful. But I spent my 20’s afraid of photographs, sitting to the left of someone & putting my face on social media for strangers to comment on. I put my dream of being a singer/performer to rest & became a singing teacher instead; to hide in the shadows. With time I’ve been able to accept that this is me & it is this experience that has made me who I am. I’m not normally one to share this sort of thing online but your video was so incredibly moving. Hopefully providing some context really drives home how deeply grateful I am for you sharing this ♥️
Thank you for being so honest and vulnerable. Sharing your story in the comments is also helping many people. I hope you continue to pursue being your truest and full self!
You know what's funny? I follow your channel because I dream of being able to sew my own clothes-clothes that fit my "unconventional" body. I'm now in my early 20s, standing at 5'1" and weighing never more than 90 lbs. Well, I also don't know why, but recently I found out that my spine has scoliosis of about 38°, and maybe that's related. All this time I've felt ashamed, scared, and worried because of having a different shape from others-too thin and short, even asymmetrical, not like "how a man should be." And I've been holding it all in because I didn't know how and where to express it. After hearing your story, I couldn't help but write this to say thank you because all those feelings seem to have been represented by your story. Thank you for sharing that story and those feelings. I always enjoy your videos.
First and foremost, Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing a bit about yourself in the comments. I am happy to hear you were able to relate to my story. May you make all the clothes you desire and create your inner confidence. You got this. We got this.
I understand, @zeem12. I have two curves (an S-curve) that are 37° each. I'm lucky, my curves are relatively balanced, but also evident so no backless dresses or swimsuits. I'm (well, I was) 5' 2.5", but unlike you, I've been overweight for most of my life. Turns out there's a medical reason for part of that. Over the years there have been rude remarks about my spine (as if it was something I could control) or weight and both made me feel diminished--until I decided that I can't do anything about their rudeness and I CAN control how I feel about it and/or react to it. That makes life better.
Bernadette Banner does historical sewing, but she has scoliosis and talks about sewing for it. If you're ever interested. Lots of people with asymmetrical bodies find sewing as a way to dress themselves. Just saying, you belong in the sewing community whenever you want. 💜
I'm only 4'10"" and nearly 74years. All my live first my mom and later on I made my own clothes. I have to draft my own patterns. Cornelius you help me so much. Thank you. I'm from South Africa
4’!0” MYSELF. Clothes off the rack almost never fit!!
You’re a star to us Cornelius! This could have been the origin story for a Marvel supervilain, but you turned it into something positive. By the way I’m a 42yo man from Montreal and I have cystic fibrosis. Growing with this disease you cough a lot and you struggle getting all nutrients for growth, which leaves you with a big rib cage and narrow shoulders. I struggled all my life finding clothes that fit, but I recently started learning how to sew and you are a huge help in my journey. Thank you for your amazing work ❤
Thank you for willing sharing a bit about yourself. It sounds like you've managed to embrace yourself as well and hope you are able to make clothes to fit yourself as you desire. Thank you for watching. 🙏🏻
Congratulations on your longevity! You are also a star!
Oh but he is a marvel supervillain
So strong of you to talk about it openly! 💪 love how you explain the mental struggles the accident brought with it - Im sure itll help some people! Your sewing Videos are helping me atm cause I just started and you explain a lot in great detail and you SHOW stuff. Thank you!
Well thank you watching this video specifically and I'm glad to hear my sewing content is of use as well. I appreciate it.
You may never know how many people you have touched here by sharing your truth, but know there are now, and will be many people who are so thankful you have! ❤
I'm glad to hear it. May we all learn and grow from each other. Thanks for watching. 🙏🏻
Dang... I love when he talked about dating. He was just vulnerable. He admitted how hypocritical and shallow he was about judging girls for what he believed were physical shortcomings despite being upset at women doing the same thing to him. Like, he just admitted that... to over a hundred thousand people, online, where nothing ever truly dies. That takes guts, I admire it, and honestly its refreshing. This guy is human. It's awesome.
Yeah, I was initially gonna cut this bit out, but then put it because I figured, if I am truly going to be vulnerable, this is the most honest bit. I am not perfect, it wasn't a healthy way of thinking and if anyone can learn from it, like I did, then it's worth it.
I'm glad you appreciated it. Thanks for watching.
Cornelius your rad. 44 today. You taught me how to measure and make my own pants today. I'm a contractor and as hard as a fucking coffin nail. If my buddies new I was watching your videos and loving them I would never hear the end of it. You have more courage than me bud. Keep being you.
Well thanks for letting a little bit of yours softer side show in the comments here.
You should take pride in knowing how to sew your own pants! I doubt any of your buddies would. It's a skill, and one that should be learned! Take pride in it lad!
Here's a line for your buddies if they ever tease you: "You may wear the pants in your family, but I know how to make mine!"
Most people now a days don't even know how to sew back on a button to a shirt!
I know 'traditionally' sewing is seen as more feminine now a days, but it has a deep masculine history as well, just ask the Scots that knew how to knit!
It's a skill that is an important!
I'm so glad you survived. I have a friend whose child did not. She was only 8. So much danger on a farm.
I'm really sorry to hear that.
I'd send it to my younger brother, a sickle cell warrior who couldn't get past the pyschological thing no matter how hard we tried but i'm so sad, he left us early this year. This would have helped, i'm sure. I hope it inspires others ❤❤
I'm sorry to hear he's no longer with you. Sending love and warmth to you and your family.
So many of us makers (especially of wearable items) come from a similar background of desiring to dress our bodies in a way standard clothing hasn’t been able to. Thank you for sharing your story and like so many other makers, it really resonates.
This is what I am learning. Thank you for your support and sending positivity back your way.
“Shine on you crazy diamond!”
Love the openness and sharing - We should all live in the "Fullness of Humanity" 💫(the good the bad and the ugly) and love each other along the way. We have NONE of these "issues" yet we all live ALL of these "issues" (we are all different stage of living them)
I've wondered about your story for as long as I've watched your videos, but I never expected you to share, or to share in such a personal way. What a gift you've given. Thank you. I'm humbled.
The reason I started watching your channel is that I've always felt uncomfortable in my own body, and the way clothes fit (or mostly fail to fit) is a big contributor to those feelings. I don't have a specific reason to feel that way. I'm just tall-ish and lanky-ish enough that the retail experience of clothing myself is a mild but constant humiliation. From the first video of yours that I watched, I thought, "Now, here is a person who understands that clothes should make you feel good."
Clothes, like societies, should fit the humans that live in them, not the other way around. I hope you will keep teaching us how to make it so.
Bless you. It is community that helps us grow, but that is a chasm that our inner selves are scared to cross.
Everyone, who thinks they don't need them, ridicules support groups. You know the type to which I fefer. The personal experiences in those groups help us to connect and let go of blanket of isolation.
I hope I said this right.
@ryneches Well thank you for being vulnerable as well and for sharing a bit about yourself in the comments here. I am glad to hear you were able to get that from my videos and hope you're able to make yourself all the clothes you desire! Thanks for watching. 🙏🏻
I can’t begin to express how this touched me. It’s the most real and beautiful thing I have seen on RUclips in a very long time….maybe ever. Thank you 🙏🏼
You are kind, thank you and thanks for watching.
i can definitely relate to “not looking like other men” and constantly comparing yourself to men that you see on the street, in movies, magazines. i think one of the most beautiful things about being human is the variety of shapes in which we come in, no two people are identical and being perfectly symmetrical is quite frankly, unheard of. people often preach about body positivity, but something that is equally important is body neutrality, and as you state in this video, it is the reality that your body just is
Very well said and thank you for sharing that you too have had challenges. We all seem to have some hurdles to overcome. Thanks for watching.
I'm pretty new to your channel, but was immediately intrigued by your humor and calm style. I have learned much from your tutorials. with this video, I was riveted and also in a turmoil of emotions. I was born 2 months premature and as a consequence I have Cerebral Palsy. With years of blood, sweat and tears, I have learned to first, strive to overcome my physical challenges, then gradually to learn not to hate my body for its' limitations and to come to a point( when I was in my early 50's) of learning to love my body, accepting it with love. To my surprise, it surprised me by being able to do more than I had previously thought was possible. Your history resonates with mine, and I am grateful to hear of your story, I found myself nodding as you described your experiences and thoughts. It is terribly frightening to put yourself in such a vulnerable position. Kudos and much thanks for sharing, my respect for you has increased tremendously.
Well thank you for sharing a bit about yourself as well. It's great to get to hear from the folks watching my content. Thank you for also being vulnerable and sharing your story in the comments here! It makes me happy to hear you've been able to figure out a way to embracing who you are, but also doing more than you thought you could. Good on you!
You, Mr. C., are AN INSPIRATION! For sharing your truth and testament, you have helped so many people to break free and just, be. The late, great Maya Angelou said, “You are enough.” Mr. C, your best is yet to come and YOU ARE ENOUGH. I will say this much: the journey is better with community. Have LOTS OF FRIENDS!!!😊
Thank you for the very kind words! I appreciate your support and well said indeed!
woah that for me felt like quite a privilege for you to let us see behind the tailors curtain, takes a lot of strength to lay it out bare to all, admirable and sure it will help others going through the same thought process if not just to say "your not alone in this, i've been there too'" and there is a way through. thanks C
Indeed, it's amazing how much love and support comes back to us when we open up and allow ourselves to be vulnerable. Thanks for watching and for your support. 🙏🏻
Thanks for this! I think we should all strive for a... it is... view of our body!
Amen :)
The mirror is our biggest critic. Your story is inspiring and humbling. We are all on this earth for a reason and your story is inspiring and I thank you for telling it. At 67 I sew my clothes and with your help they make me look great. Thanks for your story and for all you do.
Indeed the mirror reflects what we choose to see. May you make plenty more garments just as you desire!
Wow.
You left me speechless. And in between breathless.
I also had an anomaly for years until I had surgery at 36. This 'push his hand away' - I remember it so well!
Thank you so very much. You help a lot of people with that video.
Well thank you for watching and thank you for caring. I am happy for you that you were able to have the surgery as needed.
You are amazing and brave. Many of us experience similar. I love that you sew. Also, remember that you are a valid person. It’s ok for you to not accept absolutely anyone that happens to fancy you, just like everyone else. You are not defective, you are a survivor and a hero.
Yet you turned out to be a beautiful soul ❤❤❤❤
Very very interesting story. You are very brilliant person. Thank you sharing story.
Thank you for your interest!
I was immediately drawn to you and your work because I could feel that farm boy through the screen. I saw myself, my dad, my grandpa all appreciating your work in my head. Thanks for sharing this.
How lovely, thank you and greetings to the yourself and the men in your family.
Cornelius, thanks you so much for showing up just like you are, and also sharing your story with so much presence and acceptation. It resonates so much with me, growing up being constantly bullied and rejected at school for years, divorced parent, no "self-love model". I felt the shame to not be lovable as I am - it impacted much of my life. Today, I'm 30 and I truly feel compassion for us. I'm happy this morning that you're sharing your story. Thanks you. I love who you are! You inspired me to take sewing classes and it's so fun!! 🤙 Cheers from Quebec, Canada.
Bless you in your journey. It's always scary to put yourself out there.
It really always is the emotional/mental struggle that is the greatest challenge, isn't it?! Indeed, thank you for sharing a bit about yourself in the comments here and thank you for watching mine story as well. It is much appreciated.
I'm a skinny guy too and i can kinda relate, andi think you use your time and energy on productive way better than me despite the struggles. Your sewing achievements proves it. Awesome channel
Well thank you for watching and glad to hear you can relate. You got this. It starts with just 1 stitch, each time :)
This is such a lovely, vulnerable conversation with the camera, thank you for sharing. It’s incredibly strong of you. Your sewing videos are very inspiring, so it follows the man making them is too
You kind, thank you and thanks for watching.
Cornelius, your video "How to draft a men's pant pattern... and fix fit issues!" serves as my blueprint for acquiring a new skill. The reason is that I acknowledge there's a method to learning, and your explanation rates 10 out of 10. In terms of what I've seen so far, (behaviorist method in education), I've successfully completed "Drafting the back" and plan to continue until I finish. I want to express that you are blessed with the gift of teaching, despite any shortcomings resulting from the accident which was no fault of yours. Thanking you for posting these videos and thanking you for posting this video which I personally hope will inspire others to press forward and claim their prize in life.
You are very kind with your words, thank you. Thank you as well for checking out what I post and good luck with the pant draft you're working on. I hope they turn out as you plan.
I like the way you used lighting to show how you feel/felt about yourself since your accident. I have muscular dystrophy, so I can absolutely empathize with how you relate to your body. It doesn’t always respond the way you want, and yeah. It’s frustrating as hell. But it is. And you just have to roll with it.
Thank you being vulnerable and for sharing a bit about yourself in the comments here. It sounds like you have learned to understand yourself.
It's amazing how much those very specific bodies public figures and especially celebrities usually have can get into our heads and make us obsess over features which, unless they cause pain or practical difficulty, really don't matter in day to day life. We don't need to be perfectly muscular or thin or have a certain complexion or hairstyle to be worthy of love, and your tailoring videos really help me (and probably others, too) to appreciate our bodies and their unique details.
Well said. When it comes down to it, the challenges don't hinder us, but make us who we are. I am glad to hear that my videos are of use to you.
Thank you for sharing. You are perfect just the way you are! And we are glad you are here for us! 💓
Thank you for your kind words.
That was the best Christmas gift ever to me. A lesson on radical self acceptance. And a lesson on being authentic. Your sewing alterations have taught me so much, now your story has taught ke more. Many blessings 🌻🍄
Well I am very glad to hear it. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for sharing. So many things in that I can relate to. It's liberating when you reach that point when you realise you are you and that's more than enough. My motto is similar; It is what it is. Don't dwell on it just embrace it and get on with life. Thanks you for being an inspiration. 👏👏
Oh nice, it makes me happy to hear. Thank you for watching and following up to share your motto.
From Menorca (Spain), gracias por compartir tu experiència con todas tus fans.
Thank you for being so open. I love how you said, "it is." Acceptance of ourselves is huge.
Thank you and thank you for watching.
Cornelius, I can't remember when I've heard a testimony so touching and honest. Everyone should hear your story. Much appreciation and thank you!💚
You are kind, thank you.
You are. You are wonderful. An inspiration. A gift. You are.
How very kind, thank you.
Corn man, it only makes sense in retrospect. But keep doing what you like to do, keep making your art. You eventually learn you care about these "things" more than anyone else will, and what others actually care about is who you are and what you do.
Ive been type 1 diabetic since I was 5 and have countless issues that would take to long to explain. But over time you learn to change your expectations. Not lower them but change them to things you find more important. Worry less about what you cant change and focus on doing what you can.
I personally strive to inspire others no matter how small the inspiration. And because of you I made a pair of pants and a pair of shorts. Thats pretty cool.
And I will totally make more :P
Thank you for sharing a bit about yourself. It's great to get to hear from the folks watching my content, in this case specifically, sharing your life experiences. I'm glad to hear you've been able to make yourself a few clothes from my videos!
CQ, your story resonates with me so deeply. Thank you for sharing your emotional journey along with the facts. For this internet stranger, it means a great deal to hear from another person that the feelings are normal and okay. Acceptance is difficult, not impossible, but boy, the road to get there can be rocky sometimes. After 20 years, I don’t feel as angry and embarrassed as I used to that my body doesn’t work the way it should. Thank you for your vulnerability and openness.
Well thank you and thanks for sharing a bit about your emotional journey as well! It's great for me to hear about others experiences of acceptance and personal growth, as well.
You’re such a talented communicator and tailor. I really enjoy learning while being entertained. I didn’t assume any back story relating to your build, really. I like how your clothes look on you. Fit is everything, as they say, and yours always fit nicely. : )
I'm glad to hear it. You said it better than I could, indeed fit is everything.
I am new to your channel, but ever since I watched your video about the little ruler gauge, I was hooked. I think I just watched about 20 of your videos and then came across this one. I've been sewing for about 65 years, but I have learned so many things from you that I never knew. I watch to learn, but also I absolutely love your sense of humor and timing. I'm so glad you survived that accident, because the sewing world would have lost a real treasure. And you know what, no one cares if one arm is different from the other. It's the person inside that matters, and from what I've seen of you, it's awesome. Plus I love the black cowboy hat. It makes you unique and stand out from all the others.
I join all the others in thanking you for sharing your story with us. That takes a lot of courage, but I can tell you that many, many people have been blessed by hearing it. 😊
You are very kind, thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to get to know me online. I'm honoured to have been able to share something new in the world of sewing.
Hello !
Just one think : thank you ! Thanks to share with us your story, your emotional journey, your actual feeling. You say : "it is" and "I am" and it's the most important, you ARE and I'm happy too look at you share your sewing thought process with humour, calm and class.
I hope, not have a too french english 😂.
Have a good day !
Kissss !
and thank you to you as well for watching and sharing a bit in the comments here. 🤠🙏🏻
Cornelius, you are courageous. You’re smart, kind, handsome and strong. You are my new favorite super hero!
You are kind with your words, thank you.
@@CorneliusQuiring 💙
Спасибо вам за историю. Я не знаю вашего языка, но все поняла. У вас красивая душа! Вы очень талантливый человек! Здоровья вам!!!😊
Вы добры, спасибо. Спасибо и вам за просмотр.
I didn’t notice till this video. Diff bodies are beautiful. And so are you 🖤
Thank you for your very kind words.
I enjoy your videos, I’m glad you take the time to share your expertise with us. Many people sew because their bodies do not fit easily into shop bought clothing. While yours is an extreme example I think many people fight with how they “should” look, as if there were not billions of answers to that question. I’m glad you took the time to explain your differences, but they are never the thing I see when I watch your videos. I love your humour, your sewing trials, the way you explain things, the interaction with your family. Although you are 1000 miles away I view you as a sewing friend who pops round now and again. Good luck for the future, wishing you all the best.
Well I enjoy "popping by" for a sew and thank you for returning the visit by popping in the comments here :) Indeed, many of us are coming to terms with who we are physically and emotionally. Thank you for the kind words and thanks for watching.
Thank you for sharing your story. You are a strong man. Much love to you for the process you have been through. I love your channel and have learned a lot. Cheers!
thank you for watching this video and I'm glad the others are of use to you.
As an occupational therapist watching your video I was curious about the posture of your right hand, trying to assess as I watched. Thank you for doing this educational video. Especially explaining both the physical and emotional aspects of the experience. Your tenacity and commitment to sharing your journey and showing your talents is exactly the example I want to share with my clients as encouragement. 🕺Go Cornelius!
Thank you for the kind words and thank you for doing the work that you do.
Cornelius Quiring-You are Amazing! I never noticed anything but Amazing from your RUclipss! Thank You for always being Awesome You! Thank You for always inspiring us! :)
Well thank you for the support and I'm glad you like my sewing videos.
we love you, Corn! my friends and I spent a good week watching your video on drafting and making pants. it was a great moment that we all bonded over. thank you for sharing and for all you do! “It is/I am” ❤️🔥💯🙏
That's wonderful, I'm glad to hear you were all able to have a moment. Thanks for watching. 🙏🏻
I wish, peace, joy, love, healing. God bless you, Sir.
Thank you, my friend.
Very emotional and authentic! I feel lucky to hear such a personal story! You are honestly very beautiful! Thank you for sharing such a deep and meaningful story! ❤
You are kind, both in your words of support and for your financial support. Thank you!
Didn't see this coming. Inspiring video, love it...♥
Well thank you for watching it anyways :)
Sorry about your struggles. You seem to be a very confident and capable person and it appears that God has been looking out for you. Be strong and keep the faith!
Most certainly, the experience has shapes me into who I am today.
You are the great teacher
Thank you. 🙏🏻
Thank you for sharing this Cornelius. I've always admired you, you have a soothing voice and a way of communicating to your audience that is captivating. Though injuries are part of who you are, it doesn't define you as a person. Your talent, dedication and strength shine through. Much love to you.
Well thank you for your very kind words and well said. 🤠🙏🏻
I stumbled upon your channel for the first time yesterday as I was looking for some sewing help. I found that the first sewing video I viewed was helpful, and I enjoyed the humorous and logical way you delivered the information, so I started looking for more. Then I found this one. I wanted to applaud you for sharing your story. It takes a lot of courage to share intimate details like this, and I’m certain that this video will benefit others. 🤗
I'm glad to hear that my other videos were useful and enjoyable to watch. Thank you for the kind words on this video as well and happy sewing.
As a burn victim at age 5 I relate to a lot of the things you shared here. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing and for watching.
I think your (initial?) struggles with dance has as much to do with being raised Mennonite as anything else. 😅 This was a great video. Many of the struggles of permanent injury and chronic disease are nearly universal, even if the individual situations can be very different from each other.
And having grown up around three-wheeled cotton pickers and knowing how top heavy they are.. your description of the accident gave me a visceral shiver. It is lucky you survived.
Best wishes to you, and please keep making videos to entertain and educate us. They are always well done. I initially followed to catch glimpses of plautdietsch with English subtitles-since the language is pretty much dead in my community-but I enjoy the sewing videos too.
Indeed, being a Mennonite definitely did not "help" making me feel liberated in dance and it was multiplied by the accident. It sounds like you may be a fellow Mennonite or even live in a community with Mennonites? Thanks for watching and for sharing your thoughts in the comments here.
You are incredible , your story is bound to help someone. I’ve been watching your sewing videos and love how you explain everything. Honestly I never realized anything different while watching your videos. Thank you for sharing. You are incredible and amazing.
I am glad to hear that my videos have been of use to you. Thanks for watching this one as well.
Thank you Cornelius for opening up like that .. I am teaching myself sewing and I always love your lessons and atmosphere ..you’ve helped me a lot ..! Much love to you ..!
Well thank you and thanks for watching my videos. Happy sewing.
Time makes its own story and you narrated your story very well. To live up to others exptations we tend to lie to ourselves its at the Time we accept we are who we are that we are then free.
well said
What an inspiring video you've created. Your candid message to me is: one cannot run away from oneself and everyone must learn to love and to be loved, but one must learn to love oneself first. Your story sends many positive and valuable lessons. Thanks kindly and God Bless !
A wonderful summary indeed. Thank you for watching.
F'n real, brother. Candid and beautiful take on life. Inspiring. Thanks for sharing your story.
You are kind, thank you. Thanks for watching.
I think your body is beautiful. Its brought you through 30 years, through an accident which couldve killed you. Im still working on the same pain- i was permanently disabled with chronic pain after car accidents. Ive been permanently disabled by strep bacteria (pandas) and theres so much more mentally and genetically. Im still in the stage where all i want is to be loved. People want me for my body, but they dont want to love me despite my body. Youre an inspiration to me
Thank you for being vulnerable and for sharing a bit about yourself. Stay strong on your personal journey and I wish you all the best my friend.
Powerful story and I'm grateful for you sharing it. There's nothing quite like someone opening up about their experiences in such a sincere way. Much respect to you and thanks always for your helpful videos!
Thank you for watching this video. Your support is much appreciated.
It turns out people rarely notice or give a crap about the things we find wrong with ourselves.
"Your harshest critic is always going to be yourself." -Michael Ian Black
Indeed, well said!
Thank you for sharing your strength
and thank you for watching!
Wow. This is a powerful, courageous share. You’ve really worked hard over the years to process this. I wish I had your strength. ❤
You are kind, thank you. The inner strength in all of us is surprising, and that includes you :)
I've only seen one of your videos before, but I had no idea that you had this struggle. What I find most interesting is that, in spite of having less range in. your hand, you sure can sew!
Well thank you and thanks for watching another video.
It’s so good of you to share this, so many people out there will be going through similar experiences and this could make them feel so much less alone. My mother needed life saving surgery, but it left her facially disfigure. She lost confidence and took a long time getting it back. I wish the world was less obsessed with how we looked.
Thank you for sharing a bit about your mom and her experience. It sounds like you're a wonderful child. Thank yiu for watching as well. 🙏🏻
She had the surgery when I was a young girl, and I can’t remember what she looked like before that. As I got older and realised she was looked at so differently it almost shocked me. Something you take as normal can put fear in others. By the time I was a teenager I would take her out and about with me, I like to think that giving her an ally and a share of my quiet confidence helped.
Thank you.
I have no doubt it helped her plenty!
Hi, I just found your channel and I love it. You are an excellent teacher!
About your personal story… you are an inspiration even for people without a visible injury. The way you process your trauma is a reflection of your honest, stoic and kind personality.
Definitely not everyone is capable of rising above inner pain. I had an uncle with a similar childhood injury, who developed a hump. Unfortunately, as an adult he became an opposite of you - bitter, jealous and angry- DESPITE being surrounded by family, being a physics professor, a PHD, loved by a beautiful wife and having a son. He was still endlessly jealous, overcompensating, and even cruel in personal life. His son’s life is completely screwed up too by that horrible aura. How sad…
I am very touched by you, dear Cornelius, telling your story and I admire your courage.
You are kind, thank you. It's unfortunate to hear about your uncles challenges. Your honesty is refreshing.
What a wonderful video.
I am obese. I have tried everything to fix the problem. I hide my body from my husband. I feel shame and disgust.
I used to be a healthy person with a normal weight but things change after having children and of course, the age thing.
Your video touched me and helped with a little more understanding of life and its tribulations.
Thank you.
Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your story in the comments here. Stay strong. You are worthy.
I came to the channel for the sewing but have been so grateful to find this glimpse into the wonderful, inspiring person that you are. Thank you so much for sharing in such an open and creative way. Loved the changes in lighting as you told your story. The videos are amazing. It was also powerful to see the emotion on your face and in your eyes. My sternum is a bit crooked. I’ve always been self conscious about that, with myself and with partners. Your story inspired me this morning. Thank you my friend. This made my day.
Well thank you for opening up a bit and tell me a bit about yourself as well. It's great to get to hear from the folks watching my content. Happy sewing.
Don’t underestimate how much joy, entertainment and knowledge you have given us. You are champion! Brave for sharing. Thank you
Well thank you for letting me know that it's apprecaited.
Thanks for sharing your story. What you said at the end, "my injury is, I am" I needed to hear that. Thank you.
Indeed you are. Sending love and support back your way and may you have a positive week.
Wow, powerful message! Everyone will hear this and understand the bits that are in them. Emotional, mental and physical injuries all foster these outcomes.
Thank you for sharing the process you used to break free of the cage our minds will lock us into.
and thank you for your kind words and for watching.
I am 4'9" and have large bones. I have struggled with my weight all my life. I have always had child like features. People have never treated me with much respect. I have always been treated like some sort of mascot in my peer groups. I can so relate to your emotional stages you have gone through. I am old now, and I think I have accepted it. But, occasionally I find a friend that I think they are treating me like normal and I get lulled into a sense of trust, only to be heartbroken when we are all around other people and they distance themselves from me....and there I am again....a mascot....... thank you for your video. You show me that I am not the only one out there that has experienced emotional trauma with things that have happened to them or are not at all in their control. Cudos for what must be such a difficult reveal for you! This really can help alot of people out there. Thank You!
Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing a bit about yourself, in the comments here. That too, is brave. I wish you peace and strength. Thank you for watching as well.
Cornelius, thank you for sharing this story! Everybody, well, I should say some people feel very uncomfortable with the bodies they have, including me. I have many of those emotions you had. I found a man who loves me for me, and it took years for me to love myself for who I am. "It Is!"
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for sharing your story.
😊❤😊
I am happy to hear you found such a wonderful partner. Thanks for sharing 🙏🏻
I have Severe Psoriatic Arthritis have had Psoriasis since I was 2. Can't be cured. It now affects my joints. I understand this video. I feel this video. I am overweight have 4 kids. Not young anymore. I have 4 grandkids. The man who "loved" me well after 20 yrs = 10 yrs lonely. Is no longer in my life. BUT YOU HAVE A TALENT. As an adult that means something. It means A lot. I enjoyed your video. Thanks, and just know You are 1 of many. We all rebuild ourselves sometimes many times in a life time and that just means WE CHOOSE TO COME OUT THE OTHER SIDE COME WHAT MAY.
P.S. Give a big girl a chance she may surprise you.
Thank you for sharing a bit about yourself and being vulnerable in the comments. You said it very well and indeed it is up to us to move forward. And yes, these days everyone gets a chance :) Turns out it was me.
I always wondered why you were very direct about everything. Especially in your voice. I’m sorry about your childhood trauma and tragedy.
I had a childhood/teenage tragedy as well. I highly understand your feelings.
Well thank you for the support. I hope you have created you own heeling as well. Sending love back your way.
At the end of the day it’s who you are that counts. You have my respect, for what it’s worth, for your candour. Great vids btw.
You are kind and very well said!
Thank you. You’ve beautifully explain the innermost misfit feelings of those of us who are not “perfect”. Interesting how we spend our energy trying to compensate so much that we excel in many things, yet the inner critic causes us to then feel like imposters. Life is such an interesting mysterious journey and it is in the sharing that we help each other along the way. Stay strong and shine on!!
Very well said and may you continue to shine in this world as well.
You are the most perfect human! Thank you for sharing!
You are kind.
Everyone is different. That’s so much better than everyone being the same. Many of us are judged by others regarding our physical appearance, our style, our personality, our jobs, our dreams…wow. Those judgy people have way too much time on their hands. Not sure how they do it because I’m too busy dealing with my own issues and have no time to judge their issues. Those of us who have no time (or desire) to body shame others are the fortunate ones. They’re the ones with the problem. Voice of experience here.
Well said and thanks for sharing your perspective. Enjoy and many blessings. You sounds like a wonderful human.
I love the fact that you had the courage to make this video - thank you❤.Everyone should see it,truly.We live in the world where many people want to look perfect and the truth is that we don't need a perfect body- we just need A body to function.This pressure to look certain way is outdated and kills our individuality as human beings.Huge thank you for being a beautiful soul 🙏🏻 (and very gifted tailor if course!)
Very well said. Our individuality is a thing to be celebrated. Thanks for watching and best wishes.
This came to my life in the right moment, thanks for sharing this. I will treasure your words forever.
I am glad to hear it. Sending positivity and support your way.
Very well put, we never know what people are going through do we I never would have guessed but you seem mentally stable about that part of your life and body now. Thanks for sharing
Indeed, every person has a whole unseen universe going on inside of them!
Much respect for sharing part of your story ❤
Thank you and thanks for watching. 🙏🏻
Thanks for telling your story.
Thanks for watching. 🙏🏻
Thank you for sharing this, an awsome example of accepting ourselves as we are and where we are. ❤
Well said. Thank you for watching.
The rage and shame is so real. The high standards put upon others of which I am willing to accept is very relatable. Because I hate myself and my habits and wish I was better or born different. But that is nonsense. I am born as me and I am what I am. There is nothing to love or hate. Only accept and move.
Thank you for sharing in the comments here. May we both continue to accept ourselves and dare I say even embrace :)
You are one brave guy. Sharing pictures of the impact of your accident will give others courage and inspiration but I bet it took courage. That’s what inspires your sewing videos - helping yourself and others to deal with the life you were given. Not all heroes wear capes! Good luck in all you do.
You are kind. It has been many years in the making until I was ready to put this video together. I appreciate you support and thanks for watching.
I just discovered your channel. You are a very talented man and I admire you for your work and struggle ❤
You are kind, thank you.
Thanks for sharing you’re brave.
And thank you for watching!
I think you are charming. And brilliant. I love your sewing videos and they have helped me gain confidence in my own ancient sewing skills, recently picked up again upon retirement. I didn’t know of your incident and appreciate the insight. Please know that you are loved for who you are. The whole package.
You are kind, thank you. I hope you're making plenty with your additional free time.
What an incredible story. You are amazing!
Thank you. 🙏🏻
This is a wonderful, moving story. Thanks for sharing it. I have struggled for many years with cancers, many of which have left scars on my face, and have taken part of one ear. I struggle a little with those scars, because they are so "visible" to me. I don't know that anyone else cares, but it is still a challenge for me. I really relate to your story! Your challenges are so much greater than mine, but your strength is even greater. You are still a hero to many of us. Thanks
Thank you for sharing a bit about yourself. I can relate to feeling they're so obvious as well.
Thank you for sharing. I'm hypermobile so have had a lot of joint injuries including separated shoulders and a spinal fracture, and deal with chronic pain, and one of the things people hear me say as I'm doing something a little differently to either work around a current injury or prevent future injury is "life is all about the workarounds". Gotta figure out how to do what you want to do with what you've got. Sometimes it takes a lot of extra work just to do things most people take for granted, and not everyone starts at the same starting line, so maybe it's not a race, but a journey we're all on together.
I just discovered your channel, and will be sticking around. I follow a lot of female vintage and historical sewists but they rarely make the kind of clothing I'm comfortable in, I'd rather be in working class clothing, and generally pants or trousers. I tend to describe my personal aesthetic as somewhere between "carpet goblin" and "plaid my mother hates" or "f-off, it's comfortable" and my hip to waist ratio makes me fit better into menswear than women's, that bulkiness you found with the pleated pants is what I get any time I wear any women's pants, so it's going to be nice going through your footage for hints and tricks to fit a body that doesn't conform to current fashion standards. I have such trouble with waistbands that anything will help. (I have all of an inch of space between my bottom rib and the top of my hip so belts are not comfortable but I've increased the size of my waist via core exercises for the spinal injury enough that now my pants fall down, and the padding around the middle that I've acquired over the years has not helped, I need like negative two inches of ease for a waistband to stay where it belongs if I want to put anything in the pockets, and I don't find suspenders comfortable around my bust.
"Don't think, just do", yeah I hear that a lot in martial arts. And it just occurred to me now that it probably comes from people whose muscle memory is easy to program. Mine isn't. Peiple who learn easily don't understand that there's a big difference between needing to brain your way through till your body can do the thing versus being mentally caught up by minutia to the point where your body stops moving. I cannot watch someone do a thing I don't know how to do and then repeat the thing myself without them leading me stepwise through it while I'm trying to make my body move. I have had one instructor in the 23 years I've been doing Aikido who realized this and would instruct me accordingly, for all other instructors I have to watch them, try to note specifically what they did (or after a decade or two, categorize it as a movement that I already know and try to note if there are any differences) and then try to remember it long enough to drag my body though the motions enough times before we move on to the next thing to maybe be able to do it again if it comes up next class. It's something I try to keep in mind when I'm teaching Aikido now, I sometimes feel like the people who have the most trouble learning something make the best instructors and I try to live up to that. And I try to find accommodations for students whose bodies or minds don't work in the generally accepted ways.
I've taken dance lessons too (ballroom, bellydance and ballet) and I have the same problem learning the moves. 49 and still have to think about left or right. Even learning to drive a car, it was about a year before I was solid in gas vs brake (my poor dad, who had to supervise me, had nerves of steel), and I'm really glad that I got the chance to learn how to manage a clutch pedal and shifter while not also contending with traffic (I worked a high school cooperative education placement where I got to do the day before pre-drive of vehicles being tested on a dynamometer). Some of us really need to break things down into much smaller steps than a lot of other people.
I have been doing another particular kata-based sword art for over 20 years specifically because I am terrible at being choreographed and wish to improve. I guess it's worked, since when the instructor isn't there, I teach the class. I tell anyone that I'm trying to teach anything to that I'm not good, just persistent, and I've already made all the mistakes that they haven't yet made. My Aikido instructor always says to make "big glorious mistakes", and he's not wrong, I find most people learn a lot more from making a mistake and having to correct it and then avoid making it again than they do from getting it right the first time. I think the best thing I did for myself with respect to taking martial arts as an adult was to check my ego at the door and accept and embrace that I will look stupid while I'm learning. And I will always be learning, so I'm resigned to the possibility that I will look stupid at any point in time.
Thank you for sharing your story. I think your approach to life is wonderful.
I have been thinking about creating a video myself about the challenges I have faced throughout the years due to an injury I sustained and thought that it might be helpful for others, having watched your video I now understand that it will be helpful for others. Thank you for sharing your story, and keep sewing on.
I think you should do it. Learning from each others stories is how to grow and great helps others overcome and persevere.
You are a wonderful teacher. Your shirt tutorial helped me fix a t-shirt hack. 😅 But that one lesson has propelled me so much in my sewing journey. ❤ Thank you for sharing. Thank you for teaching. Please continue....😊
oh wonderful. I am glad to hear that my videos are of use to you. Thanks for watching.
Thank you for sharing Cornelius. You are brave, you are beautiful, you are xx
Indeed, we all are :) Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing this. It hits a very strong, poignant note for me & I can’t help but think about all the other people you’re able to help with this video.
I have hemifacial microsomia & was only diagnosed with it last year. It basically means half my head (& some aspects of my spine) didn’t develop properly. At 17, half of my face was suddenly paralysed & so many things you touched on rang so completely true. Now, in my 30’s, physical complications are becoming more apparent & painful. But I spent my 20’s afraid of photographs, sitting to the left of someone & putting my face on social media for strangers to comment on. I put my dream of being a singer/performer to rest & became a singing teacher instead; to hide in the shadows. With time I’ve been able to accept that this is me & it is this experience that has made me who I am.
I’m not normally one to share this sort of thing online but your video was so incredibly moving. Hopefully providing some context really drives home how deeply grateful I am for you sharing this ♥️
Thank you for being so honest and vulnerable. Sharing your story in the comments is also helping many people. I hope you continue to pursue being your truest and full self!