the latest addition to my creative chaos
The newest hyper-fixation rabbit hole I’ve added to this creative space I’ve been building for myself.
I must admit, I’ve fully fallen down the “sewing my entire wardrobe” rabbit hole and I’m fully stuck down here. There are so many amazing patterns and so much amazing fabric out there in the world and I’ve become completely enamored with the thought of all that I can create. There’s something to living my whole life and constantly having ill fitting clothes that has caused this perfect storm of being addicted to the thought of just making perfectly fitting clothing myself. I’ve spent the past two weeks accumulating all of the resources and links and ideas in this perfect whirlwind of information that is constantly swirling around my head. It’s my new hyper fixation.
But the best part of all of it is how it ties to my current art licensing goals. It’s completely symbiotic to spend all of my time looking for the perfect fabric while also spending my time designing repeat patterns that can be used on fabric. I haven’t found the perfect balance between time spend sewing and time spent designing yet (we’re still in hyper fixation mode). But I look forward to how these two interests can begin to work together and help me improve my designs (as well as my sewing projects).
This is the chaos in my creativity. The amount of hyperfixations I go through is insane. But while so many fade away, I can tell that my love for sewing and surface design are here to stay and I can’t wait to continue down this path and find new ways to create my perfect universe where both can exist symbiotically in my life. I just need to work for a little balance so my time spent designing informs my time spent creating all of my sewing projects. But I already find myself noticing trends and details in the fabric that I can bring into my own designs and I look forward to how my inspiration will shift with this new sewing hobby I’m developing.
To start the true symbiotic relationship between these two passions, I’ve purchased some cotton fabric with patterns from my latest collection on them with the thought of creating something using them. I have a large portfolio of work available on Spoonflower, which is a website where fabric, wallpaper and other home goods are printed on demand and I haven’t been able to order anything from them yet. So I took advantage of a sale and ordered some cotton poplin with designs from my latest collection. When designing my Fuchsia Foliage collection, I created tons of plaids with the thought of how they could be mismatched together in lots of different combinations. So I figured what better way to illustrate this mismatched potential than to create a color block tank top of my own using two of my plaids! I’ll be using a hacked version of the Peplum Top from Peppermint Magazine. They have a ton of free patterns that are perfect for a newbie sewist like me and I thought it would look amazing in my plaid patterns. Keep an eye out for more to come with that project (the fabric is in production right now).
While I’m currently in the throes of this sewing hyper fixation, I hope to bring a little balance to my life soon and spend equal time designing patterns as well as sewing projects. But for now, I’m loving all of the potential surrounding this new hobby of mine! Unfortunately I have horrible timing with the impending closing of Joann’s but I’ve found some awesome resources so far. Below are a few of my favorite finds if you’re at all interested in a sewing hyper-focus yourself!
Best Fabric
The Fabric Market - This is hands down my favorite online fabric supply I’ve found so far. They have the best prices I’ve seen online and give a lot of good information for making decisions while purchasing fabric through a computer screen. Nothing will replace feeling the fabric in person at a store like Joann’s, but the amazing prices do compensate for anything they are lacking. Also getting some linen blend fabric for $6.99 a yard CANNOT be beat. If you know you know.
Free Clothing Patterns
Peppermint Magazine - Free things are my favorite, so I’ve found a ton of amazing resources for free clothing patterns online so far. Peppermint Magazine is one of my favorite so far as they have a ton of perfect beginner projects that help you ease into sewing without too much of a financial burden. Just take some old sheets and one of their projects and you’ll have yourself a free new article of clothing and a whole lot of accomplishment! I’m loving the Peplum Top and the Pocket Skirt and will be making both very soon.
Mood Fabric - This is the mood fabrics made famous by Project Runway and they have a ton of amazing free patterns available. I’ve saved so many of these designs and know I’ll come back time and time again to find patterns to fit the project I’m trying to create. I already have a top design picked out that I’m going to use to alter to create my own version of this gorgeous floral corset top Taylor Swift wore once.
Best Clothing Patterns
Sydney Graham - Syd is one of the accounts that eased me into this full block hyper-focus with her sewing content on TikTok. I’ve already watched a ton of her YouTube videos and actually used this skirt video to create my own gathered skirt from an old set of bedsheets as the perfect first project. She has a few clothing patterns available that are super trendy and beginner friendly and I’m eyeing her Lane Pants pattern greedily. Once I have some more free projects under my belt I’m coming back for them!
Matchy Matchy Sewing Club - This brand makes patterns that are a perfect fit for my personal style. I’ve had their Recess Play Pants saved on my Pinterest board for years and now I have the opportunity to make my own and I CANNOT wait. They also have the cutest tops and shorts and narrowing down which patterns to make is just too difficult of a decision. Any clothing design that looks good with a myriad of brightly colored and patterned fabrics has a definite place in my wardrobe.
I plan on sharing a whole lot more about this new hobby on this platform and hope you’re here for the journey! If anything, you’ll just see a whole lot of photos of me holding up my creations like it’s a prize fish I’ve caught and who doesn’t like that?
Hope you’re having a wonderful Friday and I’ll check back in again next week 💖💖💖
Cool! Keep it up, follow your heart and pursue your dreams.
Dale