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It's here. You've finally decided to start sewing. Whether you're doing it just for yourself or planning to sew custom-made products for a living, you've taken an amazing step. Few in the sewing community actually studied this field. Most of us got into sewing as a hobby, a passion for creativity and working with interesting materials. So if you're just starting out, don't worry—you're not alone. We've all been there at one point: cut into the fabric for the first time, ruined a seam, and had to rip it out.
Many of us have also had to deal with the so-called Impostor Syndrome at the beginning of our creations.
What is it, and where does it come from?
Imposter syndrome occurs when you enter a new area you don't know and lack the self-confidence to take the next step.
This is natural in sewing, because if you want your final creation to look usable, you need to have a handle on it and know how to sew the final product properly. So, for example, if you work as an accountant or in a bakery, or you run a business or whatever, and suddenly you want to start sewing. It's new, and you're a little scared.
Do you know what's amazing about it?
If you're currently experiencing imposter syndrome, it doesn't mean you're an impostor, but it's proof that you're going through a change. Your mind has already noticed the change and accepted it. It's made a comparative analysis of where you are now and where your desires and wishes are.
This difference, the "gap" that arises, creates the effect of imposter syndrome in your head.
How to change it
The only way to get rid of this unpleasant feeling is to start sewing. Start with small and easy projects. You don't have to rush, but try something new on each project.
You can do it the way I did it.
My first projects were made of cotton canvas. I saw professional seamstresses everywhere on social media, and their creations were really beautiful. I really liked it. But I was aware that behind a 30-second Reel on Instagram or a 12-minute tutorial on YouTube, there are actually hours and sometimes days of work.
I was a little scared too. But I really wanted to be able to sew too.
I studied a few YouTube tutorials and started sewing simple projects using a classic straight stitch.
Basically, my field is IT and online sales, which is a bit far from a sewing machine at first glance. But it has a lot in common.
Both require precision, consistency, creativity, and, most importantly, patience.
We all have some skills or knowledge that we can use when sewing.
If you feel like you don't have any, sit comfortably on the couch. Make yourself a cup of tea or coffee and write down on a piece of paper what you can do and what your greatest strengths are.
I did it too, so you are not alone. We all sometimes don't believe in ourselves at the beginning, and here you have my helping hand to find the final courage and start sewing with us in the quiet sewing community.
Quiet Sewing
We don't have to shout over the noise of brands and logos. Quiet Sewing is about the process of creation, your journey into your inner self, and expressing yourself. It is about high-quality, sometimes luxurious, materials that you gradually learn to work with.
It is about your manifesto: whether you go with the flow of fast fashion or deliberately slow down, go inside your heart, and learn to create.
We were all at the beginning; you are not standing alone even though you may now be sitting alone at the sewing machine.
Hundreds of thousands of us around the world are sitting the same way! 🥰 And just like you are starting now, many other women all over the world are starting now, and that can give you courage because you are not alone.
There are many of us; we just aren't often seen with a sewing machine outside. 😄If you want to overcome the fear that imposter syndrome causes you, put your skills on paper and start with the very basics.
How to start practice
The easiest thing is to learn with a canvas bag, pillowcase, or tablecloth. Practice standing straight on a solid surface, with the first step behind you. Then you can move on to other ideas, from simple cotton canvas dresses to more complex ones. Step by step, your skills will improve; you will start to trust yourself more, and imposter syndrome will disappear on its own.
Remember, no clouds stay in the sky forever. Now it's up to you how strong the wind will be to gradually blow your clouds away.
If you want advice on how to get started or anything you need to discuss, just write. I am here.
If you want to connect with other beginner sewists, just create an account here on my website and join our community. You can comment on tutorial articles, and all news about sewing will arrive directly in your mailbox.
This community is free, of course, so no payment.
Now just go ahead and plan your first tablecloth.
Dana
