An Immense Satisfaction

 

I think there is an immense satisfaction taking a paper illustration, its tissue paper contents, some material, bits of trim and buttons and turning it into something wearable. Then there is the added satisfaction of being able to claim, "I made this". It is satisfying to say I accomplished something. 

I started to sew my own clothes because when I fell in love with the styles of the 40s and 50s, I could not afford the true vintage. And when it was affordable . . . It was not in my size. If it was not one thing, it was another. The solution was to learn to make my own, a solution what was actually as vintage as the clothes I desired. I could afford the patterns, the material, the buttons and the zippers. I started small - skirts, blouses, etc. Then over time my confidence grew and my skills improved. Then so did my wardrobe. Over time a piece here and a piece there of true vintage come into my wardrobe. It did not happen overnight but instead well over a period of 10 years. Today my wardrobe is a mixture of clothes I have made and those that I have purchased. 

When I look over my past sewing achievements, I still feel an immense feeling of satisfaction. Some pieces were easier to make than others and some took months to make simply because I was looking for the just right buttons. I think sourcing my materials has to be the fun part - looking through all the pretty prints, the multitude of different buttons, etc. Then the hardest part is pairing up what print with what pattern! Some prints need pattern pieces with large pieces so to not wreck the print. Others require just the right about of matching buttons. 

I do not sew near as much as I used to. Part of it is the time, I don't have near as much of it as I used to. Another reason is that my poor closet is stuffed. There is no reason to make anymore clothes for the sake of something to wear, I have plenty. However, on occasion, I do still sew once in a while when I find a pattern I just find fascinating or a length of cloth I just love. Although I don't have the time like I used to or the need for more clothes, one thing that has not diminished is the satisfaction of completed sewing project.