
I’ve completely lost myself in my current design.
I don’t mean like lost my sense of style, or lost my motivation, or even lost track of what direction I wanted to take this piece.
I mean like I literally lost myself.
I’ve been in my studio for hours on end, draping, drafting, and editing on repeat.
I am a complete mess, in every sense of the word.
My studio is covered in discarded pattern pieces, scraps of fabric, and candy wrappers (yes, I’ve also stopped really eating anything throughout the day except Hershey’s miniatures.)
I don’t exercise like I need to, for both my physical and mental health.
And most days I realize at about 3pm that I’m still in my pajamas. And while I’m being brutally honest here…sometimes I only change just enough of my clothes to make it look like maybe I didn’t sleep in this outfit last night.
But you know what?
I love it.
I love every second of it.
I geek out over beautifully made clothes that fit well, and I’m not ashamed to say it.
I’m not making excuses for why this has taken me so many muslins to get right (let’s just say it was a lot), but fitting a garment to yourself is not an easy task!!
Obviously, seeing yourself in a mirror from every angle and marking up a garment while you’re wearing it is tricky for those of us that don’t have elastic arms. I’ve taught my husband and my kids how to mark, pin, and pinch pieces while I have them on, and without them, I’d still be down in my studio trying to get the fit of this piece just right.
But also, when you’re fitting something to yourself it’s so hard to know when to walk away. It’s like a painter, constantly going back and looking for that one little place on the canvas that still might need a little shading.
I think today I have finally gotten to the point that I can walk away.
I think I’ve pinched, let out, and eased in every where that I can, and this garment is now ready for phase 2…construction.
And in case you didn’t know….construction is kind of my thing.
XOXO,
Nikki, In Stitches
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