If there were cones of shame for sewing, I’d definitely deserve one right now.
Because I cheated – on purpose.
And it’s not the first time.
The trouble is, I value historic accuracy in my sewing. I really do!
But . . .
I’m also incredibly nit-picky about gathers. And my running stitch isn’t tiny enough to create good rows of gathering stitches – especially when I’m only easing in a little bit of fabric.
You can’t make more gathers (or tiny “pleats”) than you have stitches. And if you’re only capable of sewing a few dozen stitches across several inches (like I’ve got at the front of Maddie’s new slip) there’s no way to “spread” the gathers out or make them look even. They are what they are – clumps – which never look appealing once I’ve stitched over them.
My tiny cheat is to use – insert outraged gasp here – my sewing machine. Not to stitch anything together – not for construction – but to put in the gathering threads. I can make the smallest, most even, stitches this way! And small, even stitches mean small, even gathers.
I hate myself for this, but I ease my guilt with the knowledge that I could remove the gathering stitches afterwards, if I wanted to.
I don’t. But I could.
It’s also helpful to remember that most modern seamstresses make “allowances”. We take advantage of numerous technologies that stitchers of yore didn’t have.
Electric lights, for example.
How many people do you think sew by firelight to stay true to the “old way” of doing things?
We’ve also got special magnifying lenses we can fit over our glasses, Frixion pens, steam irons, Tiger Tape . . . you name it, we employ it at will – with no guilt whatsoever.
So why do I feel so ashamed of myself?
Because part of me thinks it’s wrong. And no matter how much my cognitive dissonance tortures me, it’s never going to change my behavior. I’m going to do it again, and again, and again. Like a naughty child who’s learned how to outsmart her nanny.
It’s not nice, but there you have it. And the only way to ease my conscience at this point is honesty.
I’m telling on myself.
If there’s any truth to the saying, “confession is good for the soul,” I should be feeling much better soon. And if not? Well, it’s Friday. In a few hours I’ll be enjoying spaghetti dinner.
With wine . . .
To follow along with Maddie’s Almost Spring Dress project, click HERE.
To see all of her wardrobe so far, click HERE.