Sometimes I’m a bit of a glutton for punishment. I burnt out on running the Sewcialist blog in 2015, then almost immediately joined the Curvy Sewing Collective as an editor. I burnt out on that, and began dreaming of starting the Sewcialists again! Why, Gillian, why?
The thing is, I believe passionately in the sewing community. I don’t want to be just a participant, I want to facilitator who makes is easier for other people to join and find joy in sewing!
I feel lucky as a blogger who loves my day job that I’m not searching for fame or fortune through sewing. I don’t feel pressure to build up my own brand, but I do wonder “How can I give back? What’s my role here?” I’m not a technically proficient sewist, nor am I interested in doing complex tutorials or creating a product. What I can offer though, is the skills I use daily in the classroom: creating a safe space, facilitating discussion, and organising people!
I think the strength of the sewing community is our positivity and passion. Our weakness, perhaps, is that sometimes we stay in our own silos. I’m really inspired by projects like the Curvy Sewing Collective and Sew Sew Def that actively seek to bring different people together. I myself only bring one perspective to the table (white, female, cis-gendered, straight, somewhere between straight and plus-sized, English-speaking, under 40), but I dream that as a group blog where anyone can write a post, the Sewcialists could bring together more voices. Lofty, over-ambitious, sure… but be the change you want to see, right?
On the other hand… Sewcialist challenges are FUN! None of your serious, skill-building competitions here. Red October! Scraptember! Viking Sheildmaiden Month! Oonapallooza! Those were all off-hand suggestions by someone on social media that ended up coming to life. For most theme months, you can just adapt something you were already planning to sew, or find inspiration to finally use a pattern or fabric from your stash. I honestly don’t have the second challenge theme picked – so maybe you’ll be the one to come up with the idea!?
I’m always nervous when I launch a new project… so I’d be grateful if you’d go follow the Sewcialist blog and Instagram! The first challenge is in August, and will be announced soon – though if you look on the blog, you’ll figure it out first!
Crafting A Rainbow 
I’m in straight away! I love the idea of this. Let me know if I can help at all. Emmaandhermachine@yahoo.com x
LikeLike
Thanks Emma! There will be a post on the Sewcialists on about all the ways you can get involved – everything from reading, to joining in, to writing posts, to joining a FB group I’ve set up to organise the subsequent challenges!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds fabulous. I’ll look forward to it. ☺ x
LikeLike
I signed up! I think you do have much to contribute to the sewing community and DO! What I think you should add is a VLOG 🙂 I’d love to watch you (like Kate of The Fold Line https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7EeRw4QMhw) because I’m confident as a teacher with a fabulous sense of humour and inspirational personality style you would be terrific. 🙂 The change in venue might mitigate for your feelings of burn-out (blogging is a LOT of writing, taking photos, editing) – just a thought 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have you read my mind??? I just upgraded my phone yesterday, and I specifically got one with a lot of storage because the idea of vlogging keeps bouncing around in my head. I actually used to do video fabric hauls, years ago before there were any sewing channels around… the thing holding me back is how much time it takes to edit, and not know exactly what my distinct take would be. I”m mulling it all over!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gillian I agree the editing piece would be the most time consuming but I think over time it would lessen as you learn what you consistently “edit” out you’ll stop doing it in the first place. Over time the amount of time editing would shorten considerably which never seems to happen with writing have you noticed??! I’m glad to read we are on the same page! I can’t wait to watch you go 🙂
LikeLike
You had me at “Viking Shieldmaiden Month.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
That theme was so fun! We had a post from a sewist who works in Norway at a Viking village/museum, and she sent out some wool trim she had hand-woven while in role!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh cool! I was literally just thinking the other day when I pulled out my lace kimono that I did the tutorial for if the Sewcialists was ever going to come back. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s going on!
LikeLike
I came across your tutorial a few months back when I saw a pin that made me want a lace duster… and there you were, having thought of it years before me! 🙂
LikeLike
What’s old is new!
LikeLike
Terrific news. I’m in too!
LikeLike
Fabulous! Thanks!
LikeLike
I’m definitely looking forward to this! Headed over right now! 🙂
LikeLike
Yay! Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely in, if I ever get some time for sewing that is. I loved looking at all the fab things people make for the challenges. It was so much fun. Thank you for resurrecting this, Gillian. I know how much work it will be. Xx
LikeLike
I”m hoping I can rope some other enthusiasts into sharing the load… but even if it’s just me, I’m hoping 4 challenges a year is a more sustainable amount than every two months, like we used to do!
LikeLike
I think 4 a year is great! You don’t want to be too bogged down with themes for all your sewing. Especially for people who create at a slower pace. And let me know if I can help. I didn’t know the Sewcialists were around back in the day, but looking through the old posts is a lot of fun.
LikeLike
You sound just like what I want to achieve in my corner of the sewing world. I just have several years on you agree wise. Please have someone watch that you don’t drain yourself empty again though. Us passionate people need to know when to say no.
Enjoy it all.
LikeLike
Edit* age wise not agree wise
LikeLike
I hope you’ll take part or even write for the Sewcialists sometime! You are right, it’s really easy to overextend… but I’m hoping that this time, like last time, there will be people willing to take the lead on some theme months to give me a rest! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I found the Curvy Sewing Collective before I learned how to sew and it gave me the boost I needed to go sign up for a sewing class! This has definitely been one of the best things I have ever done for myself! It is nice to be part of the online sewing community. I will be following and hopefully joining in!
LikeLike