Lost My Sewing Mojo This Weekend.

Sending you loads of sewing mojo hugs! I’ve been in the same slump Sandy and the TSG socials helped massively, even just listening to the sewing chatter. It was a while ago now, but I ended up making yet another Donny shirt, I now have 5, an easy make which doesn’t take too much fabric. I think sewing something familiar helped me through my slump. Hope you find your sewjo soon x

I would recommend (if I may - i'm new here) stepping back from sewing for yourself specifically and to maybe try sewing something easy and just for fun. Something that doesn't have to have a purpose, doesn't have to fit and that you've made simply for the (lost) joy of the process. I hope you get your mojo back!

Oh, I know that feeling! First, take a bit of time out.

When you feel like sewing again, think about something really simple - use some of your left-overs for a tote bag, or make an apron; something that doesn't rely on size!

I agree with Lesley that something familiar is the way to go, but I get the impression from your post that you don't really have a reliable 'fall back' at the moment.

When you are ready, I would do something like this (take whatever suits you from this list)

Leave knits for the time being - too tricky.

Also leave trousers at the moment - they often end up too baggy. I'm sure that there is a thread on here about trouser fitting when you feel able to tackle it again.

Don't get your head turned by an attractive pattern - do something very simple. I would head for a simple woven top.

If you are worried about your size, you may want something more like a simple tunic. choose something that doesn't need too much careful 'fitting' - just loose and comfy.

Consider loose 'dropped' sleeves that don't need careful fitting

Start from scratch and make a proper toile, making yourself slow down and mark it all properly.

A couple of suggestions:

I'm a great fan of this jacket:

https://readytosew.fr/en/shop-womens-sewing-patterns/38-pekka-oversized-jacket-sewing-pattern.html

Don't look at the 'quilted' version, just look at the simple, pieced kimono style. I wear this over my 'failed' Tshirts! And you may be able to use some of your left-overs for it. You don't have to line it.

Also, to contradict myself about knits, think about leggings, I find these wonderful:

https://www.munaandbroad.com/products/loxton-leggings-sewing-pattern-pdf

If you get a couple of pairs, you can leave making trousers until you have your confidence back - but do use 'bottom weight' knits. Leggings with a tunic top wil look good!

And finally, the wonderful Michelle Pye (now retired) gave me this advice: always wear something a few times, wash it a couple of times, you may find it 'settles' on you much better than when you first try it.

I hope this helps, when you're ready!

Oh, I think we've all been there at some point so can quite understand how you are feeling. It's so lowering isn't it? As Lesley said the sewing socials are a great way to get encouragement and help so do try to join in if you can.

You sound a similar size to me and it took me ages to work out my fitting tweaks (not what you want to hear I know!!) but now I do them to every pattern as I trace them out. All I can do is encourage you to persevere, watch sewing vlogs on you tube to get ideas, information and inspiration and try to enjoy the sewing process whatever the outcome.

I was once told that there are no failures in sewing just learning opportunities......

I hate it when I lose my sewjo, so I feel for you. Other posters have already shared great suggestions. When this happens to me, I go back to something simple, quick to make and tried and true. If you don’t have one of those, I recommend the Matchy Matchy Sewing Club Perfect Puff Sleeve Top. It’s such a quick make, pretty and casual, loose, with pretty gathered sleeves. So the fitting doesn’t need any fuss and it’s great for show-casing a beautiful print. You need to find happiness with a make again 💐

I'm sorry to hear this but completely understand as I have similar fit issues. I'm just under 5' tall, and need to make several upper body adjustments. I often despair at embarking on a new pattern especially if it is a pattern company I haven't tried before. I tend to trace and accept the first version will be more of a wearable toile and thenmake notes about what I would alter for the next one. I try and look for patterns where at least some of the work has been done for me already.

I have some suggestions but it is very much just some ideas for you to pick and choose or ignore!

Some tee patterns:

https://www.lovenotions.com/product/laundry-day-tee I’ve made the top version three times now – more of a flare under the bust but they also do a more classic tee: https://www.lovenotions.com/product/easy-classic-tee-pattern

Their patterns mostly have full bust options

https://sinclairpatterns.com/collections/tops-patterns/products/bondi-knit-classic-fitted-t-shirt-with-short-sleeves-pdf  Their patterns come in a petite height version.

Others have already suggested Cashmerette and Pattern Emporium.

It may take a few attempts to find the right tee - but when you feel ready to try again, think about the fit you want, settle down to look at some pattern sites, see if you can find reviews from others with a similar frame - I find the community on https://minerva.com helpful and also https://sewing.patternreview.com/ which has thousands of pattern reviews and also forums where you can ask for help.

Most of all, be kind to yourself. You can do this, it might just take a bit longer to find the pattern which is going to provide the best starting point for you.

Big hugs. I have been there.

My strategies:

Sew Something that do not require fitting - like a zipper pouch or a tote bag (Alisa, Thoughtful Creativity has super cute and unusual zipper pouch made with darts instead of boxed corners. I love it. Plus I adore her, she always makes me excited about sewing)

If that doesn't work I go for classics - watch Project Runway, of Next in Fashion or Devil Wears Prada

Now regarding the fitting adjustments.

As a standard I do sway back adjustment, narrow shoulder adjustment, FBA, sometimes full tummy adjustment as well. I prefer to do FBA rather than grading between sizes. Usually when I try new to me patterns company I do the pattern as it is to see how the "raw" block for this company fits me and I go from there.

Do I always get fit right? Of course not. But when I compare my make to something RTW its always better.

I am 5ft 6, size 14 on shoulders, 18 -20 bust, waist (depends on a day anywhere from 14 to 20 - I have IBS), some patterns are too short, some too long. My legs are tad bit longer that standard and in some patterns I need to remove the lenght er I need to add it.

i Haven't made a pattern that did not require at least small adjustments and I have been sewing clothes for last 6 y

And you know what? Its ok. Patterns are just canvas, they give you general direction and you make what you want out of them.

Would I love to have patterns that fit straight out of the package ? Of course. Can I achieve that? Potentially with hours spend on a gym and very rigid diet. Do I want to - no way, been there, done , dark times.

i have friends who don't need to do any adjustments and sometimes it makes me jealous. But you know what? I need to work with what I got and dress the body I have. Btw this mind set requires often reminders as I do have a tendency to be hard on myself

Btw Have you tried Sinclaire patterns? They have a Petite version for each of their patterns and few of my shorter friends loves them. I will be actually testing their Petite range on my teen daughter - she is 5ft3, and has curvy figure (for her size) and she hates shopping for clothes so we are planning to give few of Sinclaire patterns a go.