Softer landings

How slowing down can make ambitious sewing projects feel more enjoyable

One of the questions I answered for our Q&A newsletter recently was how to stop feeling overwhelmed by sewing projects when you’re still learning.

I loved this question because I don’t actually think it only applies to beginners. Even after years of sewing, I can still feel daunted by a new project. It may be because of the time required to get going, a tricky fit problem to resolve or some techniques I haven’t done in a while.

It made me think about the way many of us approach sewing.

We buy a pattern, choose a fabric and then mentally commit to making the entire garment from beginning to end. The project becomes one enormous task. No wonder it can feel overwhelming before we’ve even cut into the fabric.

I’ll be the first to admit that In the Folds patterns aren’t patterns you’re likely to finish in an afternoon. They’re not supposed to be. They’re detailed. The techniques are thoughtful. They’re designed to build your skills and give you confidence, while creating garments that become lasting pieces in your wardrobe.

But perhaps we’ve been thinking about the timeline all wrong. During Curated the aim was to work through one project a month. I know for many, this felt inspiring and exciting, while for others it felt like too much pressure or completely impossible.

What if instead of thinking that a project that needed to be completed in a day or a weekend, we gave ourselves an entire season?