I thought it might be time to put some kind of sewing content up on the blog. This post involves much more personal info than I usually put out there, so if that’s not your jam, no worries. I talk about some body issues/body positivity as part of my sewing journey. If you want to skip to the sewing details, jump down to the last few paragraphs and you can see all that info.
I got into sewing first to learn how to make the Fu Mask when COVID-19 quarantine was beginning and I was feeling completely out of control about how to protect myself. I ordered some fat eighths of fabric and got to work, making some for my family and close friends that requested them. Initially I thought about making them for healthcare workers to donate, but there has been so much controversy about their effectiveness in those environments, so I decided I would make them if asked, but not otherwise. I really enjoyed the sewing process and became more curious about garments.
A coworker of mine had recently begun sewing more and more, saying she wanted to update her wardrobe post-baby by making clothes rather than buying them. I haven’t had a baby recently, but I did decide to stop dieting after a year and a half stint on the keto diet that I did to lose remaining baby weight from Charlotte (who just turned 5). The low carb keto diet was far, far too restrictive for me and I began to feel like it really limited my choices in life and increased my anxiety about any social situation involving food. And damn, I got so sick of only drinking vodka tonics. Then I read some research about cheat days on low carb diets being very hard on artery health, so that was the nail in the coffin.
I quit the keto diet early last fall and have definitely gained some weight back in the process of eating all of the foods that I want. Holy hell, I missed potatoes sooooo much. I stopped weighing myself last December and that has really helped to shift some focus away from thinking about weight all the time. I wouldn’t say that I’ve ever had a true eating disorder, but I’ve had lots of time with some disordered, very restrictive eating, and many many years of not loving my body and focusing on its flaws. That’s pretty easy to do in a culture that tells women they should only look one way. I have since adopted an intuitive eating approach, and I greatly recommend The Fuck-It Diet (book and podcast) by Caroline Dooner as well as Anti-Diet and the Food Psych podcast by Christy Harrison if body love is something you also struggle with and want to learn more about. I’ve also started to read Body Respect by Dr. Lindo Bacon, but I’m not very far into that one yet.
Sewing for me, like my coworker, seemed like a way to take hold of the reins better. I was growing frustrated with buying new clothes as I gained back some weight. This seemed like a way to access beautiful clothing at a more reasonable price and have unique pieces. I was very fortunate because my husband already owned a great sewing machine from his previous dabbles with sewing outdoor gear almost a decade ago. Sewing has been amazing for me both in boosting body confidence and in reducing anxiety about being stuck in quarantine for the past seventy-ish days. It’s challenging in a way knitting hasn’t been for me in awhile, and I really really get into a flow state with it.
I had to post this outfit, because it’s one of the ones I’ve been most proud about making recently. The pants are Arenite Pants by Sew Liberated. I’m super obsessed with these pants. They say they are for an advanced beginner, and they were definitely a challenge. My brain was struggling with the part of the pattern that formed the pockets. Part of the problem was that the silk noil that I used doesn’t have a true wrong side or right side and I didn’t mark them in some way to designate a wrong or right side from the beginning (as the designer suggested). I accidentally attached the wrong pocket pieces to the wrong side pieces TWICE and I was about to lose my mind. I slept on it and came back to it the next morning and it clicked in my mind, but man, I felt in way over my head for a little while. Since then I’ve made a second pair and that pair was much much easier.
The top is an Ogden Cami by True Bias. I LOVE this pattern and have already made two. The fabric for this and the pants were from Fancy Tiger Crafts. They have some beautiful fabrics. This top seems more appropriate for a beginner than the pants were. It’s relatively uncomplicated. I has a bit of a liner for the top part. On the first one I made it as is, aside from adding about a half an inch length to the bottom. On this one I added the same amount of length to the cami, and also added that amount of length to the liner. On the first cami the liner didn’t go down to the bottom of my breasts, and maybe it’s not meant to, but I like it better that way. I may make the liner even a teeny bit longer next time, and I could see possibly trying to make it a shelf bra with a bit of elastic at some point.
I’m still knitting. Nothing beats the portability of it, but being stuck at home to such an intense degree has made it easier to find time to do some sewing. I hope you are all surviving quarantine. I can’t wait to be on the other side of this, but in the meantime I’m staying home to stay safe as much as possible.
You look great in these beautifully sewn fabrics. Going to check out your mask pattern. I have been sewing masks for us and friends one of whom is in health care. I use a pattern by craftpassion. Keep sewing and knitting. I love your posts.
Thank you! I think it’s wonderful that you’re sewing masks. It feels like something we can do when a lot of things feel out of control.
Oh my goodness, Cassy! You look beautiful!! I’m not just blowing smoke either. The close are so flattering and your figure is perfect and healthy; that is most important as evidenced by this confounded virus. I suffered from a real life eating disorder as a young 18-20 yr old. Took me years to learn to accept myself and to stop seeing myself as (use preferred adjective here). There are days when I hear that little voice in my head, but I have learned that when you wear the clothes that you love and that speak to your personality and style, you are at your most beautiful. So there. That is your lecture from your virtual mom!! xoxo Regina
Thank you for sharing that. It’s hard to let go of the voice that prompts the “not good enough” feelings. I think they emotional/mental piece takes longer than letting go of the physical restrictions. Thanks for the encouragement!
Beautiful work and a beautiful lady. Thanks for sharing your body story and your sewing story . . . this culture is amazingly hard on women and I love finding (and being given) the opportunity to support one another. You are braver than me when it comes to sewing . . . maybe someday! 🙂 Take good care!
Thank you so much for your support! It’s important that we all support each other.
Can I just say how much I appreciate your story? I too have learned a LOT about diet culture and body acceptance over the past year or so, and it’s been amazing and frustrating. I started off by reading Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size, and I have also learned SO much listening to the Balance365 podcast. I highly recommend it! Thank you so much for sharing!!! Diet culture is so awful and pervasive, it seems like it takes over EVERYTHING these days, even down to the quarantine weight gain memes 🙁
Thanks so much! I love that more and more people are working to dismantle diet culture. Thank you for the recommendation! I’d love to have another podcast to listen to as well. When I find myself triggered and hanging out in that mentally yucky space I try to immerse myself in as much body positivity as I can find.
A great looking outfit! You are doing a fab job of the sewing (as you do your knitting).
I really haven’t lost the weight after baby #4 (she’s 15!) I did read somewhere that my current/post #4 weight is my new normal! So I’ve been going with that for years. We didn’t even have scales for ages (due to #2 putting them in the toilet!) and I didn’t want to create a stigma for my kiddos. Thanks for sharing your story.
Oh I love that outfit and you look fantastic! I just made a muslin for the Ogden cami and was pleased with it but now I need a pair of those trousers.
I hope you keep posting on your sewing journey. All the best! 🙂