Monday Musings: What I Learned From Sewing My Own Clothes
When I first decided to sew my own clothes in 2021, it was partly because I had too much time on my hands thanks to COVID-19 and partly because I was delusionally inspired by TV shows like "Drag Race" and "The Cut." I mean, if they can whip up a runway-worthy outfit in 7 to 10 hours, why couldn't I, right? What started as a way to kill time soon morphed into a rewarding (and occasionally frustrating) hobby. From sewing gowns for weddings to crafting the perfect brunch ensemble, the journey has been nothing short of an epic saga - complete with plot twists and character development. Here's what I've learned along the way:
I made this top and shorts!
Nothing is wrong with my body - the clothes have to fit me, not the other way around. This was a revelation that hit me harder than the plot twist in a telenovela. In a society where fashion often feels like it's designed for mannequins rather than real people, making my own clothes taught me that the issue was never with my body. It's been empowering to realize that I can manipulate fabric to celebrate my shape, rather than trying to contort myself into an unrealistic ideal. Who knew that darts and seams could double as tools for self-love?
The value of patience and precision (or, why seam rippers are a gift from the gods). If you think patience is a virtue, try sewing a straight seam on slippery fabric. Sewing has been a masterclass in taking it slow - a concept I'm not naturally familiar with. It's taught me that rushing leads to mistakes, which leads to seam ripping, which leads to questioning all my life choices. Yet, there's a strange satisfaction in getting it right, even if it means redoing a hemline more times than I care to admit.
Sustainability and mindfulness in fashion (a.k.a., why I now side-eye fast fashion). Sewing my own clothes has been like taking the red pill in "The Matrix" - suddenly, I'm acutely aware of the impact of fast fashion on our planet. That 200-peso SHEIN dress came from the cheapest possible labor and materials, and will not last long after a couple of trips to the washing machine. Making my own clothes has made me realize how much work actually goes into it, and if something has a price tag that’s too good to be true - it probably isn’t true. As with anything else in life.
Creativity knows no bounds (but my fabric budget does). One of the joys of sewing is the creative freedom it offers. Want a dress with pockets? Add them. Love the idea of bright floral print paired with polka dots? Go for it. The only limit is your imagination (and possibly your taste level). However, I've also learned the hard way that just because you can make something, doesn't mean you should. And yet, each project, successful or otherwise, is a testament to creativity's boundless nature and my ever-evolving fashion sense.
The sense of accomplishment and self-reliance (or how I became my own personal fashion designer). There's a unique form of pride that comes with answering, "I made it myself," to compliments on your outfit. Sewing has given me a sense of independence and a confidence boost that's hard to find elsewhere. Plus, it's a great party trick to pull out of your sleeve (a sleeve you sewed yourself, of course).
Sewing my own clothes has been a journey of self-discovery, creativity, and a whole lot of trial and error. It's taught me invaluable lessons about fashion, sustainability, and the joy of creating something from scratch. And while I may not be ready to compete on "Drag Race" or "The Cut" just yet, I'm perfectly content with being the star of my own little sewing room. After all, in the grand scheme of things, isn't that what really matters?
