I notice something new creeping in to my sewing. Something I am not used to BUT something I am having a great time doing. After all these years it is All About Me… Selfish Sewing! Bring it on.
I will be honest. I stopped wanting to sew for myself ages ago. Pretty much after baby #2- who is so not a baby anymore. The reason? Well, I figured I would be really honest about it- and the major reason is weight gain. I did not like the way I looked. And I ESPECIALLY did not want to see any pictures of myself. But ever since my Jungle January Jammies I have been expanding my sewing from quilting and sewing for my girls to sewing for MOI. And I am having a pretty nice time doing so.
My latest “thing” is ITY Jersey Knits. It was the fabric I made Kadi’s Hip Hop pants with, and I fell in love with the feel, the drape, and the simplicity of the fabric. (I can shove this dress in to a suitcase and pull it out wrinkle free and ready to wear. It is also a pure delight to work with!
I bought my Jersey knits at Fabric Mart. On sale. At $3 per yard. Cha Ching! That means this dress cost me $9.
I used Vogue 8489 and I will use it again. Because I love the fit, the cut is flattering, and I sewed it up in one evening. The neckline is EXTREMELY low cut. As a matter of fact, when I initially put it on for pictures I forgot my cami top and Kadi was alarmed. She informed me I could not go out like that. (Ohh how the tables have turned!) I told her the movie stars did it all the time and she gently reminded me I was NOT a movie star- Siggghhh)
Anyway, I am going to make myself another one. I bought a deep dark cherry red solid ITY Jersey Knit from Fabric Mart the other day. YAY! (Another $9 dollars well spent).
My final thoughts? I am not completely happy with myself at this time- I am walking and eating right and actively trying to lose some weight. BUT for the first time in a long time I am enjoying wearing clothes- clothes made by me! And just like Maria sang in Westside Story, “I feel pretty.”
This post makes me so happy. I know what you mean about the body/weight shift after baby #2. I’m so glad you’re enjoying your body and sewing for yourself!! I have to say that my ideas about my body have improved from sewing to my measurements. Hope we see more of your selfish sewing.
I do not think I would have even posted pictures of myself it it wasn’t for such a supportive sewing community!
I have all kinds of sewing plans now!
I do love the sewing community. And twitter. Oh, boy. Twitter’s the ultimate. Tho sometimes I have to stay off it if I can’t buy anything…to many temptations.
I think Twitter is awesome! And yeah- temptation a plenty!
And you look pretty too. It’s great that you’re taking the right steps to enjoy who you are now.
Thank you.
I decided NOT to wait til I was that “perfect” weight … so yes, I am doing my best to enjoy who I am now!
Aw, you should feel pretty, you look gorgeous in this dress. Great job! I have just begun to sew with knits and have a question. What does ITY stand for?
Thank you! Here is a great article on ITY knits- http://www.marcytilton.com/item.php?pid=2295&cid=905 … ITY means INTERLOCK TWIST YARN. They sure are FAB!
Ah, thank you!
You look great! I love your new dress.
I loved this post. I remember going through a stage when I felt lost and I realised ‘me’ had disappeared and I was ‘mum’, ‘wife’, ‘daughter’, ‘employee’ etc.
there is absolutely nothing wrong with sewing for yourself or simply sewing because it makes you happy – in fact it’s the best reason of all to sew.
Love the dress, the colours are gorgeous!
I sooooooo understand your feelings
I am happy you are starting to find yourself again. When I was pregnant with my four children, I gradually gained weight. I was never totally humongeous, but it was too much, and I did not recognize myself. I was like you, I did not like myself. I am so glad to hear that you are finding the way back to discovering YOU!!!! No matter where you are allong your path, you are butiful and you might as well look your best.
. My sister just sent me two boxes with mostly ity jersey knit. I cant wait to get them (sigh at the “stashing syndrome” 
)
I agree, ITY jersey is fabulous. Living in Norway I do not have the same fabric selection you have availeable, but I still shop in the states
Good luck on your next dress, I am eager to see you
You will love the ITY jersey! I sure do.. and yes- I think looking your best helps you feel your best no matter where one is in their journey. Very well said! (Nothing wrong with stashing! Just think- if ever there is another depression us sewists with stash will be super well dressed!)
You look lovely. And very happy! I agree with you on jersey, it’s wonder-stuff and, unlike other textures, the fabric doesn’t seem to date. My working life means I have very little by way of routine so my weight fluctuates – bit of stretch in my clothes helps! This design really looks awesome on you, looking forward to seeing it in the cherry-red!
Thank you! I am excited to see the cherry red too- have decided after I finish my Carnivale costume I will make that one.
I have felt so much better about myself since I began sewing for me. Retail made me feel like my body was impossible and wrong. I love this dress on you- think I will buy some knit ….and a cami!
I am realizing that retail clothing is impossible and wrong! Not US! …. YOU could skip the cami if you don’t have a disapproving daughter lying in wait!
I do like to keep the bunnies in the hutch usually, but…..
Gorgeous dress! I think it was only once I started sewing for myself that I began to feel comfortable with my shape, and that was after baby no.2. I never looked the way I was supposed to in shop bought clothes. Now I know that it was the clothes that were shaped wrong, not me. However I am the opposite to you in that I am way too selfish to spend my valuable time sewing for other people.
I can see there is definitely a positive to “selfish sewing.” And really, is it selfish? I mean as moms, and wives, and all the other things we do why not have something we benefit from! The enjoyment of creating something… AND a great garment to wear that fits. Win win!
So wonderful that you are sewing for you again. I totally have walked your walk – after 3 kids! I gave up trying to look perfect and decided that I just needed to be HEALTHY, regardless of what my measurements were. The AHA moment came while doing a concert about a decade ago: In the audience was a much older woman than I was at the time, impeccably dressed with clothes that *fit properly*. She wasn’t the “ideal” in terms of size, but she was so beautifully put together and looked so comfortable with herself that I decided then and there that I would learn to alter patterns and sew up clothes that fit me, as I am right this very moment, and focus on healthy living. And I’m so happy to see you in that dress, because I’ve been wanting to make this dress but got stalled on the very low neckline. It’s gorgeous – the print is beautiful!
This dress is sooooo pretty!! It’s a very flattering style & the print is GORGEOUS!!
Thanks so much.. I love the dress and can’t wait to make another!
Like your dress looks realy nice to wear. Love the fabric too…your nautical swap buddy