Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: MaryW
Date: 07-30-2007, 09:11 AM (1 of 20)
|
Obviously, I am not in this challenge, but what inspires me is a pattern. Fabric rarely does that. If I see an interesting detail such as a pocket, collar or other treatment that is what makes me want to sew. I want to learn the new technique. These are very inspiring stories too. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
From: MaryW
Date: 07-30-2007, 09:39 AM (2 of 20)
|
Seems to me these posts are messed up.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
|
From: BeanQueen
Date: 07-30-2007, 10:44 AM (3 of 20)
I have to admit that my inspiration comes from seeing something that I KNOW I could make myself that would actually FIT ME and would probably be better constructed, too. We all know that there is actually not much savings anymore to do it yourself, but it is oh so nice to have clothes that actually fit one's body. I'm sorry if that sounds too selfish, but then again when I sew for others it fits them better, too,  . And gifts that one sews are ALWAYS appreciated - I don't know what it is about giving someone something that one has made, but the receivers always seem to be so delighted. I have to say that I have never had the unfortunate experience of having someone on the receiving end who was not nice about it. Am I lucky, or am I just "that good"  ?? I apologize for being a big-head, too, LOL.drMolly, the BeanQueen |
User: BeanQueen
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 16 
|
From: MaryW
Date: 07-30-2007, 12:29 PM (4 of 20)
|
Hi everyone. In the midst of this hot, sticky weather we usually need some inspiration to sew. Nothing really appeals to someone when there are so many other distractions. Post here what inspires you to sew. Is it the fabric, the pattern, the creative urges you have in the middle of the night? Do you have a sewing mentor, do they light that spark? Do you belong to a sewing group, maybe the other members get you going. Think about this and tell us all in your own words what pumps you up to start your machine. One lucky poster will receive the fall issue of Ottobre Design, the kids pattern catalogue,also, a copy of Pants for Real People by Palmer/Pletsch and Aunt Emma's Apron pattern from Indygo Junction. This challenge starts right now and continues on until midnight August 12/07 Everyone is welcome to enter and join in the fun. Many thanks to www.ottobredesign.com and www.indygojunctioninc.com www.thevintageworkshop.com for sponsoring this challenge. Good luck everyone. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
|
From: esrun3
Date: 07-30-2007, 04:51 PM (5 of 20)
|
While loving the creative outlet, my inspiration actually comes from my stress level. Sad, isn't it? If my stress is up, I'm a sewing demon, if it's down, I'm not too inclined to head for the machine. Even when not "in the mood" to actually sew, I love to wander the fabric aisles or look through the pattern books. Like many, I have stash I'll never use-bought because I loved the fabric and way too many projects in the planning stages to ever be completed in a lifetime. I do find this message board an inspiration and there have been times when something someone else has made has pushed me along so I make something similar or at least gets the creative juices flowing again. Looking forward to hearing what encourages others. Lyn
|
User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: Isabel
Date: 07-30-2007, 07:10 PM (6 of 20)
|
This week, my adult son coming over with a length of sandwashed silk and a men's shirt pattern- haven't sewn a shirt for so long I will have to do a test run on the buttonholes! I really don't think I have done them on my new machine. Not sure if this is inspiration or necessity, but here we go Isabel |
User: Isabel
Member since: 10-19-2005 Total posts: 6 |
From: vickki
Date: 07-30-2007, 08:57 PM (7 of 20)
| I am inspired by 3 things: The sewing group I'm involved with,my son he gives me so much encouragement especially when I do something for him....he is always there to praise my work even though there are times I see mistakes to correct and I love to be in my sewing room by myself....It's there that I do my best thinking and planning..... |
User: vickki
Member since: 08-21-2005 Total posts: 374 |
From: pucktricks
Date: 07-30-2007, 09:32 PM (8 of 20)
|
hmmmm..... all sorts of things inspire me, of course inspiration doesn't neccessarily mean I'll complete it, but it gives me ideas. Magazine articles, patterns, clothing I've seen, internet sites, this site, all sorts of things. That's a short list. Ticia |
User: pucktricks
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 570 
|
From: mountainmamo
Date: 07-30-2007, 09:49 PM (9 of 20)
|
I never thought I'd lose my drive to be sewing all the time or the inspirations that I could get from everywhere. But illness has a way of taking it all out of you. But I still love to read my sewing magazines and quilting issues. I still love to wander in the fabric stores and imagine what I would make. I just don't buy the fabric anymore because it doesn't get sewed up. Mamo |
User: mountainmamo
Member since: 05-25-2007 Total posts: 2 |
From: ChoctawCharli
Date: 07-30-2007, 11:05 PM (10 of 20)
For a long time my illness and the chaotic state of my sewing room kept me from sewing. But, I tried to keep up with my groups and magazines as best I could. Some new meds helped ease some of my symptoms, but still couldn't sew. Then, some angels of mercy came over and ripped apart my sewing room, put it back together and gave me a place to sew again! They re-arranged it to make it easier for my wheelchair to get around and easier to reach things I needed most often. After crying tears of joy, I began simply by doing some embroidery. Then, after seeing how hot it was in SD where my son works as a General Contractor, I make him a dozen neck coolers! First thing I have actually sewed in more than two years! He was so happy and pleased to get them. Then, I made a couple of small purses for myself, and a small tote to take on my trips to my doctor at the VA. My husband was so happy to see me sewing again that he took me to a Hancocks (that was unfortunately closing) and turned me loose! He would check on me from time to time, bring me drinks of water and reorganize the cart so I could get more fabric in! Talk about INSPIRATION!  Now, my daughter and her family are moving back to town, and she will be close by to help me more. Her 2nd eldest is starting Kindergarten so I am going to make him some school shirts and teach her in the process. It will be so much fun having her around again! That is inspiring me to go through my stash to find the right fabrics for his shirts. We will start next week! I had a really bad week last week, but knowing I had to get to work on those shirts helped me get back on my "feet" faster than I normally would, I think. Thanks to my angels, I am spending my time sketching, coloring and planning - instead of doing lesser non-creative things and I feel better for it! That is my Inspiration!!CharliAnn |
User: ChoctawCharli
Member since: 03-10-2005 Total posts: 22 
|
From: Sews4kate
Date: 07-30-2007, 11:25 PM (11 of 20)
|
Oh this will be an interesting thread to read! Where I get my inspiration tends to change. But mostly I get my inspiration from looking at other people's projects. I am in awe of the talent of so many wonderful people! My dd also inspires me, she loves to wear anything that I make for her (she's 4, so anything I make she loves, hope that continues LOL). Letting her pick out the fabric is so much fun too! A few times I've been inspired by the fabric itself, but that is rare for me. I usually have a project in mind either from seeing a pattern or a picture of someone else's work, then I go to pick out the fabric. Wendy
|
User: Sews4kate
Member since: 08-20-2005 Total posts: 182 |
From: kittykat
Date: 08-01-2007, 01:47 AM (12 of 20)
|
now that i'm fully retired i can sew when i want. don't get much done at home, but i have friends i go sew with and we are all at diffrent stages in sewing. but together i can get a lot done and even finish some of the things i start. so i feel like sewing with someome gets me going.
pat
|
User: kittykat
Member since: 08-06-2001 Total posts: 184 
|
From: Magot
Date: 08-01-2007, 02:56 AM (13 of 20)
|
Inspiration - to breath life (or spirit) into. This is a hard thing to define but I think ultimately for me it is colour. When making a quilt for my daughter it had to be red and black and in order to get the colours I needed I had a great time tie dying some fabric. I admit when making a quilt the pattern is less important although I love the secondary patterns you get when you use the same block repeatedly . My asian quilt was inspired by the depth and colour of the fabric - and I wanted a red and gold theme. For my friend Lizzie it had to be blue and yellow so that one turned up an irish chain. So when deciding on a quilt I will pull out all the fabric and start to play - which tones with what, what will get lost, which is a good contrast and so on. I am to be found taking photos of old brick work, dry stone walls, lichens, leaves through trees, clouds, shadows on water - the types of colours that rub up against each other inthe natural world as well as the man made items - the vibrancy of Islamic ceramics, a roman floor mosaic, Stonehenge against an iron grey sky. All of these colour groupings excite me and get the juices flowing. The idea of the Hot Block Swap is a leap in the dark but in a way an extension of the colour work I have looked at so far - it just used texture as well! Makes me think I could have a go at making a quilt using Paul Klee or Gustav Klimpt as a jumping off point. So - that will be colour then! love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
|
From: jenny-o
Date: 08-02-2007, 02:33 PM (14 of 20)
|
When I'm not sewing, I am always thinking about sewing. Everywhere I go I see things on other people or in store windows that I think ooooh I could make something like that. A cool button inspired me to make a flower broche (sp?). Fabric especially just gets me crazy with ideas. My 1yo is up so I can't go on! Jen |
User: jenny-o
Member since: 08-28-2005 Total posts: 132 |
From: MaryW
Date: 08-03-2007, 07:10 AM (15 of 20)
|
Come on ladies, join the fun. What have you seen or done or experienced lately that inspires you?
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
|
From: MTjumpnJX
Date: 08-03-2007, 09:31 AM (16 of 20)
|
Inspiration. . . I am a very visual person & I love color. Going up & down the fabric aisles leads to a lot of ideas for future projects. The colors, the print, the hand of the fabric. Then it's on to the pattern books if I don't already have a pattern in mind. Trying to find the perfect pattern for the image in my mind's eye. My family is very proud & appreciative of the items I sew for them & that is inspirational in itself. |
User: MTjumpnJX
Member since: 05-17-2007 Total posts: 29 |
From: PaulineG
Date: 08-03-2007, 05:10 PM (17 of 20)
|
Lots of things inspire me - fabric colours or patterns, seeing similar items in catalogues or on people that interest me, sometimes even necessity. However the thing that inspires me to do my best work - to keep going when I run into problems, to unpick and sew again is LOVE. If I'm making gifts for people I care for or an item of clothing for dd I think more creatively, and try harder or new techniques. I'm not quite so good when I make things for myself.
Pauline
|
User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: bosco_ette
Date: 08-04-2007, 01:55 AM (18 of 20)
|
A need. Like for a birthday present, or new school clothes, or because someone is growing taller and changing shape. When a need arises I get out the Photographs or patterns I have saved and get to planning how I could make it with what I already have (lots to choose from).usually then I head to the fabric store to get further motivated. I buy needed trims or zippers or buttons and get going with a deadline looming up it always gets done. Basic thing is have to be done by this date. always inspires me.
15 mintues a day minimum.. get to your studio and make something!
|
User: bosco_ette
Member since: 06-14-2007 Total posts: 16 |
From: mommydionne
Date: 08-06-2007, 01:02 PM (19 of 20)
lots of stuff I'm a magazine hound, I love In Style, Vogue Patterns, Threads (most days anyway) etc. I'm intrigued by new techniques, what is on the runway (I find the adds in In Style are often more inspiring than some of the photo layouts), I'm a fabric junkie and love patterns too. I'm often inspired by high end clothing that I could never afford but am capable of making myself. So in the end it is to pull all those things together to make stylish clothing that works for me and my life. Jeanette
|
User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
|
From: MaryW
Date: 08-12-2007, 12:14 PM (20 of 20)
Today is your last chance to post here and have a chance of winning the prizes. Come on girls, get posting.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
|
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-22986.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft