Saturday, 13 July 2013

Scary September - Stepping out of the comfort zone

Still not getting much sewing done - still finishing off work - but also spending time reflecting on what I have done and not done - My Sewlutions.

It seems I have managed to avoid buttons and zips and I really need to start challenging myself a little more.

Add to that - recently - actually almost a month ago - I attended a wonderful industry day with the Australian Sewing Guild at Simplicity warehouse in Sydney. Not only is this a great opportunity to see what other sewists have been doing but also listen to some great talks by very talented people.

So........ I have decided that September is the month to STEP OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE!!


I have chosen September for a couple of reasons. First - I still have a couple of items I want to sew that are still in my comfort zone (see previous post for plans) and also I am attending a workshop with Suzanne Grey on "Fractured Knits".

Now this is really taking me out of my comfort - not just because I am going to do a ZIP, but also because of the pattern choice.

Now - I would like to be edgy - eclectic even. The inner me is young, arty and trend setting. I look on at awe at sewists like Shams, Margy and Jilly B. But the outer me is old and very conservative when dressing. :-(

When I first saw this pattern I thought - nuh - not for me. Too - shall I say young - or maybe just not staid?


And then I attended said industry day and saw what Suzanne did with this pattern (and others) and I wanted in.


Okay - the uneven bottom would drive me nuts but love the rest

I couldn't get a picture of my favourite which had images of Paris, but you get the picture.

Now - I can't promise that mine will be as "Fractured" but I do want to do this pattern with a zip and contrasts. I think this will be as far as I can jump at the moment.

If you want to join me in the jump in September - just leave a comment letting us know what you are doing, (so we can check in and see how you are going) grab yourself a badge and get ready to take a leap to something that is outside of your comfort zone..

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43 comments:

  1. Alison13 July 2013 at 14:55

    I am hoping to be well on my way to making my own bras in September, I think that might be outside my comfort zone for sure!

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  2. BeaJay13 July 2013 at 15:18

    Valerie, you don't have to be a member but it is usually cheaper admission for members. There is one in Wollongong in Sept which is same price for non members in recognition of sewing month.

    See link where you can download some info.
    http://www.aussew.org.au/show_all_news.php?id=544

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  3. MrsC (Maryanne)13 July 2013 at 16:02

    Squeeee! Love this look, very cool! have you ever checked out TS 14+ ? Virtu I think it is called now. They make groovy clothes all colour and pattern blocked up to size 24. I know you're thinking more sew than buy, but even trying on some clothes in one of their shops might give you some ideas?

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    1. BeaJay13 July 2013 at 18:18

      Yes - I saw some great pics on Kelly's blog Simple Sewist. Very intriguing.

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  4. Sarah Liz13 July 2013 at 17:13

    Hi Beajay - I'll think about this - I am not sure what I am scared of in sewing. Bound to be lots of things.

    I had a chuckly about the outer you being conservative etc, and the inner you arty - sometimes we have to act our roles. Sometimes our roles act us. Which is a vastly different thing.

    It will be interesting to see how the Arty BeaJay expresses herself :)

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    1. BeaJay13 July 2013 at 18:21

      Mmm - I am waiting to see too... Hopefully it turns out wearable.

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  5. Unknown13 July 2013 at 18:34

    I love the idea of busting out of a comfort zone (as opposed to busting out of shirts, which happened a lot before I started sewing). I'm trying to use more prints - my wardrobe has always looked more like The Wiggles with lots of dark bottoms and bright solid tops.

    Can't wait to see which interesting pieces you create!

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    1. BeaJay13 July 2013 at 19:47

      So does that mean we count you in with using prints?

      Delete
  6. Nanna13 July 2013 at 22:15

    it's been 30 years since I touched a buttonhole attachment or a zipper,maybe I need to do this lol it's been so long & I mean long since I've sewn clothing patterns, I've been sticking with pullovers & elastic lol!
    Helen

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    1. BeaJay14 July 2013 at 09:04

      We both have the same goals. Looking forward to seeing how you go.

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  7. Towanda14 July 2013 at 00:01

    I need to move out of my comfort zone making knit tops. By September, it will be cool enough to work on jackets and woven tops. I like the idea of mixing prints. I have that pattern and a couple of pieces of fabric that would work.

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    1. BeaJay14 July 2013 at 09:04

      I shall be watching and looking forward to your woven top.

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  8. Angela14 July 2013 at 12:37

    Your comment about being artsy on the inside and conservative on the outside made me think. Sewing my own clothes is a little bit of a compromise between what I imagine and what I actually would have occasion to wear. (It's also a compromise between what I imagine and what will actually look good on my particular body;) I do find, though, that the more I sew the more adventurous I become. Sounds like you might be moving in that direction, too:) I think that's a good thing.

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    1. BeaJay14 July 2013 at 13:50

      You may be right there. I definitely find myself looking at things differently now that I have been sewing for a while.

      Delete
  9. prttynpnk14 July 2013 at 21:28

    I have that pattern too, and I ooh over it and put it back in the bin. Those are so inspiring that I may have to take the plunge with you!

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    1. BeaJay15 July 2013 at 07:49

      Oh oh oh PLEASE do - we can sew together (well a world away) but can compare notes as we go. How exciting. I am almost wetting myself!

      Delete
  10. Miasews14 July 2013 at 22:03

    Can't wait to see what you do with it. I'm also afraid of stepping off the edge into "artsy" so you can be the leader of this effort.

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  11. Sew Leonie15 July 2013 at 20:55

    I too have been avoiding button holes and zips for far too long. I'll come along with you for Scary September. I just have to think which discomfort zone to step in to...there are so many! :D

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    1. BeaJay16 July 2013 at 09:16

      Excellent - let me know what you decide on.

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    2. Sew Leonie15 August 2013 at 12:08

      OK, I've decided on my Scary September project. I'm going to enter the PR Mini Wardrobe Competition - not just get involved in the discussion board and plan a mini-wardrobe, but actually sew it, finish it, and enter it into the competition. This will be a first for me. Also, 2 of my garments are going to contain very scary zips. My zipper technique is not great, so I avoid them at all costs. I've never done an invisible zipper.

      Delete
    3. BeaJay17 August 2013 at 08:21

      Yeah - I look forward to it.

      Delete
  12. L15 July 2013 at 21:19

    I've been avoiding tackling the fitted woven blouse and bras. I don't know if I'll get to that in September, but it sure is scary. =)

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  13. BeaJay16 July 2013 at 09:17

    Wonderful - I will put you on the list.

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  14. JuliN17 July 2013 at 03:59

    What a great idea, BeaJay. I hope to be settled in our new place by September and join in. I've never made a fully coordinated wardrobe for myself, maybe I could tackle that. *fingers crossed* Or maybe make my own corset, which I actually do find a scary prospect...

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    1. BeaJay20 July 2013 at 10:30

      Fantastic - I will put you down for wither a corset or coordinated wardrobe.

      Delete
  15. Anne Maskell26 July 2013 at 05:52

    Hi BeaJay! I love that pattern! In fact right after I read your post I went to the Vogue pattern site and bought it. (On sale for $3.99 WooHoo!)I'm not sure I will be able to participate in September as I'll be on holiday for part of the month, but I will be checking in to see what everyone else has accomplished!

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  16. Louise29 July 2013 at 22:27

    wOW. I shall look forward to seeing your version it looks fun. For me it would have to be making a bra, Ive bought the pattern and material had a practice then put it down until I could give myself more time, I think I am personally building a block around it, all those curves and stretchy fabric, pet hates Surely it cant be that difficult.

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    1. BeaJay4 August 2013 at 18:29

      Shall we put you down for bra making in September?

      Delete
  17. Unknown10 August 2013 at 20:56

    I'm in...

    I can't decide if I should make a coat or a bunch of buttondowns.

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  18. Anonymous31 August 2013 at 09:57

    I'm in, too! I'm going to do dress blouses (not knits) with french seams. It may not sound like a big deal, but I'm not a fan of sewing sheer lightweights...yeesh!!!

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    1. Unknown3 September 2013 at 04:23

      Oh I love French seams. This year I've been finishing all my seams with Hong Kong seam finishes and I am so much happier with the results than simply just sewing them zigzag!

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    2. BeaJay3 September 2013 at 14:07

      Sounds great. I would love to do French seams - maybe next September LOL!

      Delete
  19. Unknown3 September 2013 at 04:21

    I have my buttondown pattern (maybe I just call them that. By buttondown I mean those men's style shirts that have buttons all down the front.) I hate doing buttonholes and that's a real obstacle when you want to sew your own wardrobe. So I am really trying to sew something scary this September. Thanks for hosting this challenge - it pushes me to learn more. My goal is to make one shirt a week. And to at least cut out the coat (but maybe finish it too...)

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    1. BeaJay3 September 2013 at 14:08

      Ahhh - that is a button down - yes - definitely terrifying for me too. Haven't done a button yet. It's on my list.

      Delete
  20. Margy3 September 2013 at 08:04

    Thanks for the shout-out, BeaJay...it sounds like a fun project!

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    1. BeaJay3 September 2013 at 14:08

      Great to have you stop by Margy. I have been a lurker on your site for some time and love your sense of style.

      Delete
  21. Anonymous4 September 2013 at 22:40

    Oooh this sounds like a good challenge. My immediate thought is I want to work on making a bra and actually finishing it off properly etc.

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    1. BeaJay9 September 2013 at 08:22

      Welcome to the challenge. Look froward to seeing your finished bra.

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  22. Anonymous9 September 2013 at 07:39

    I would love to join!! I'm doing all kinds of tip toes out of my comfort zone this month. Lined jacket for my daughter in preparation for mine in October, working with chiffon, french seams, and lining a dress that doesn't come with a lining pattern piece already. I will be blogging about my progress with B5678 tomorrow which has the french seams.

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    1. BeaJay9 September 2013 at 08:22

      Wow - that certainly is a lot of jumping. Welcome aboard.

      Delete

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