Creativity is all goo! At the moment at least. Just this very weekend I completed not one but two skirts and a waistcoat! I sat in reflection yesterday thinking about how and why this sudden surge of motivation came upon me think it was a calling I was recieving from my new, fairly virginal - i.e untouched - machine. For the next few sentences I will probably sound a little like a Janome commercial but I swear this machine has changed my freakin life! Throughout my two day sewing swaray I did not swear, bang my fist or threaten my machine with murder! I happily manouvered my material and changed the sewing foot accordingly the only downside was the aching back from leaning over my makeshift sewing table (I get lonely tucked away in my little sewing den and need to talk to others it was a price I was willing to pay!) In fact my bracketed interlude leads me to believe that my lack of creativity and motivation to sew was probably brought about from a series of factors
1. We had family staying which meant the table was tucked up in my bedroom.
2. I subconciously see my sewing den as a place I am forced to go where I cannot converse etc with others.
3. I work full time as a teacher and my energy had been temporarily zapped by the brilliant little binkies I teach and the crapload of assessment we have had to complete which often is taken home!

I should have been a psychologist! I feel at peace with my rejuvinated reunion with the thread and hope it continues!

Now that I have been reconnected with my beloved hobby I am reviving my grassroots research project - Does it really take ten thousand hours to become a genius? - In my case will I become a sewing genius if I complete ten thousand hourse of sewing????? I completed atleast five this past weekend and if my calculations are correct this year so far have probably clocked up around twenty all together, not much I know but its a start! Next project - A tailored jacket and woolen skirt for sister.

Rachelxx

Have been contemplating my challenge and while reflecting I realised I have not set any boundaries by which to measure my sucess. I think this is because sewing for me is a creative release that is extremely therapeutic and thus I lack motivation when tied down to time lines. I think the biggest reward of this challenge will be to see where I came from and how my skills develop, I mean the term genius is so subjective what one person thinks is amazing another will undoubtedly think it crap so it is a personal journey.

UPDATE ON THE DRESSES...

My machine is playing up! So after cutting out the dress, sewing the darts I was ready to stay stitch and went to change the stitch length and the knob came off! What ensued was not pretty, me, a mini screwdriver and loose screws, my sewing machine now sits half dressed, I am too tired to put the picture up will do so tomorrow.

Night night


Raggy

Belated Day one - predicted hours four

Welcome to my blog, 

My name is Rachel and I am a 30 something primary school teacher who is inspired by all things crafty.  This year I finally took the plunge and learn't how to sew and have developed a healthy love affair with fabric, cotton and all stores dealing with the like.  I have basic equipment - sewing machine (2nd hand) and overlocker that likes to unthread it self (also 2nd hand) and various tools of the trade.

Your probably wondering what this is all about and why somebody would want to participate in anything for ten thousand hours well this is my challenge to see whether or not it takes ten thousand hours to become a genius at something and in this case its sewing.

My brother recently awakened me to a piece of research taken out which found that it takes a person 10,000 hours of practice to become an ace in a certain discipline.  Apparently if you practice your said hobby, instrument, sport etc for ten thousand hours you will become a genius at it.

I am not how long it will take me to undertake this challenge but my aim is to do at least an hour a day and update you on my progress as I go.  So here we go!!!

Day one Challenge - Basic shift dress for sister

Difficulty level - **                     

Number of predicted hours sewing - 2

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