Oh Sew That Mercedes

There is something I have noticed a lot of sewers do and I am also guilty of this, and it is counteracting every compliment of a hand made garment with the dreaded sewers “But” ….. (one T).  But I made a mess of the zip, but I put this piece in wrong, but the pattern is not matching.  Why are we incapable of accepting a compliment and believing in ourselves as good sewers.

A long time ago I read an article about compliments and how upsetting and dismissive it was when someone had paid you a compliment to reject it and put them down by not accepting it.  It was hard for me to start with but I used to make sure that I acknowledged every nice thing that was said to me, accepting with grace, but ensuring the person who had paid the compliment was aware I appreciated them and their effort at saying so.   How much effort does a “Why, Thank you” or “You are so kind” and a smile of gratitude take and hopefully like a small ripple in a pond, that compliment will be passed on to others and bring a little joy to everyone’s world.

However, what level of sewing skills should we be happy with.  I am constantly striving for better skills and more techniques, never satisfied with what I have achieved.  With all the information and publicity on mental health at the moment is this a good thing?  Possibly not.   I see the smiles on new sewers faces when they have completed their first garment, I can see the fit isn’t right, the seams are all wonky and the inside is a mess, but what right have I to judge? I have none at all. Maybe what I am feeling is jealousy at the contentment and joy they are feeling at having achieved something new, which is a feeling I left behind a long time ago.  Hopefully, the fact that I have recognised this will help me to improve not only my attitude to perfection but also bring back my joy in the simple things.