Selfish Sewing: Words Matter — Episode 12
In between episodes of Sew & Tell, we’re re-releasing some favorite episodes that we still love today. As we emerge back into something closer to normal life, we’re thinking about our attitudes toward sewing, especially sewing for ourselves. We hope you’ll give this throwback episode a listen and answer the Sew & Tell question to share how you think about it.
|Sponsored| Is sewing for yourself selfish? Or is it self-care? We’ll talk about the stigma of so-called #SelfishSewing and why you should never feel bad about using your skills to make yourself happy. Plus, hear the tales of our greatest sewing fails.
Originally published 4/18/2019. Now available on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. Please subscribe and leave us a review if you love Sew & Tell so we can grow our sewing family even larger.
Episode Summary
- Welcome
- Discussion Segment: Sewing for Yourself: Selfish or Self-Care?
- Discussion Segment: Dealing with Sewing Fails
- SewJo: What’s giving us our sewing mojo this week
- Sew & Tell
Sew & Tell
Answers to last episode’s question: What’s your best bag sewing tip?
This episode’s question: How does your sewing support your mental health?
Related Links
- Sewing and Self-Care with Abby Glassenberg: https://www.sewdaily.com/blogs/sewdaily/sewing-self-care-abby-glassenberg
- Gallery Tunic by Liesl + Co.: oliverands.com/shop/gallery-tunic-dress-sewing-pattern.html
- Kaylee Tunic by Sew Serendipity: sewserendipity.com/kaylee-tunic-pdf-pattern/
- Butterick 5030 Wrap Dress: butterick.mccall.com/b5030
- Abstract Tote by Little Moo Designs: littlemoodesigns.com/product/the-abstract-tote-bag-pattern/
- Meg’s Trench Coat Sewing Fail: burdastyle.com/blog/megs-magazine-mash-up-022019-reveal
- BurdaStyle Denim Pants: burdastyle.com/projects/casual-summer-day-outfit
- Wool + Wax Bag Pattern by Noodlehead: noodle-head.com/product/wool-wax-tote-pdf-pattern
Ongoing Sewing Pun Tally
Meg: 2
Amanda: 1
Kate: 2
Other Notes
In this episode we asked you:
“How does your sewing support your mental health?”
Leave your answers in the comments below!
Note: By answering our Sew & Tell question, you are giving us permission to read your answer in an upcoming episode.
Find us on Instagram: @sewandtellpod
Email us: sewandtellpodcast[@]peakmediaproperties.com
Episode sponsored by BERNINA
Originally published 4/18/2019. Updated 5/27/2021.
On Selfish Sewing: you missed a key reason that sewing for yourself isn’t selfish! A thing of beauty brings pleasure to all who see it. Even strangers are uplifted by the sight of a happy and confident person wearing beautifully made garments that fit perfectly, or whose surroundings perfectly reflect their personality. And you can be that person even if your sewing isn’t perfect in every minute detail. Beyond that, those happy feelings of accomplishment and comfort free you to be more of yourself. You can focus more of your energy on what matters: showing care for others, putting them at ease, inspiring them, and assuring them that they are valued and can accomplish more than they may have thought.
I have just listened to this episode (in Italy, in September 2020). I am a bit late joining. I sometimes suffer from the feeling of being selfish when I take time to sew, but I know how important it is for my mental health. It saved me during lock down. I couldn’t focus on garments, but “stole” hours every day to create a crazy patchwork quilt for my daughter. It is enormous, because I couldn’t stop. Now I try to make something for someone (a bag, a facemask, etc) for every two or three things I sew for myself. However, it is the process itself which is my saviour. Sewing is a form of meditation. Thank you for your interesting discussion around this topic! I so enjoying following your podcast.
Ladies, I like to think of my sewing time as “soulful sewing” instead of selfish sewing. Sewing mends my soul as the saying goes, and a little time doing what makes me happy is necessary for a balanced life. In addition, my 3 children are now grown and out of the house, so while I still do things for them on occasion, I’m telling myself its ok to do things for me, which is my “soulful sewing”.