1. You find little bits of fabric and thread EVERYWHERE. No matter how careful you are when you snip the threads and trim the seams and no matter how many times you hoover, pesky bits of thread and tiny pieces of fabric will stubbornly hang around and turn up in random places like your handbag, hair, or shoes, or even attach themselves to your favourite jumper and come along for the ride when you head to work.
2. You know all too well how it feels to repeatedly accidentally stab yourself with a pin/needle. How can something so tiny hurt so much? And there’s always one sneaky pin that embeds itself unseen into the carpet and lies in wait for a bare foot to come along and step on it.
3. You can’t shop like a normal person anymore. I used to love browsing high street stores and little boutiques, but now I usually just look for sewing inspiration. Ready-made clothing has to be truly can’t-live-without-it amazing if I’m to part with my cash for it – it does happen, but not that often. This rule does not, however, apply to shoes, handbags, scarves or jewellery. Those I can very much still shop for.
4. Your fabric stash is as big as your wardrobe (if not bigger)… When you find fabric you love, you’ve got to grab it while you can, which can result in a rather extensive fabric collection. But just imagine if you never found fabric as perfect ever, ever again and you missed your one and only chance to add it to your stash. Just. Imagine.
Doesn’t bear thinking about, does it?
5. …and within that stash will be gorgeous fabric you’re waiting for the ‘perfect project’ to use (but actually never will because you’re too scared to ruin it). Whether it’s some gorgeous but pricey Liberty print you splashed the cash on as a payday treat, or some unique, one-of-a-kind vintage fabric, every dressmaker has a piece of material they just can’t bear to cut into because you couldn’t live with yourself if you made a mistake.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably take it out once in a while, gaze at it while dreaming of all the amazing things you could make with it, then lovingly fold it back up and store it away again. One day, lovely fabric, one day.
6. There will never be enough time to realise all the ideas in your head. With a vast, ever-growing array of fabrics and patterns to choose from in the world, the odds are unfortunately stacked against us crafters when it comes to actually getting round to making every project we dream up.
Even if you had no responsibilities and could happily sew to your heart’s content at all hours of the day (if you can do this, then I hate you but also want to be your friend) you probably still wouldn’t be able to create everything you wanted to. That’s the nature of being creative. This is why it’s totally OK to buy the boring things like plain tees, vests and underwear in the shops and to instead spend your precious free time sewing the fun stuff.
Like this? Then you might like:
10 common sewing mistakes to avoid.
My guide to finding sewing inspiration.
Top three time-management tips for sewing bloggers.
Eclectic Threads 
Yes to all of the above!
I’m lucky enough to not have feet that attract the pins, cannot say the same for the other half though! Otherwise, these are 100% spot on!! :)
Ha yes my boyfriend has found many a pin with his feet!
Totally agree! Especially the last one – I had some time off work last year and it took being able to sew ‘full time’ to realise that even that is never enough!
Ditto, especially the fabric buying part. That of course also goes for vintage patterns and trimmings. :)
Oh, don’t even get me started on the vintage patterns and trimmings! They’re way to pretty to use though so end up taking up space in my sewing room!
Yes, everyone of those – but fabric stash much bigger than wardrobe.
Totally! Thanks for understanding and sharing. ~cheers :D
I join the chorus of YES. If I had to suggest a seventh: the weird desire to not lose weight. I don’t want to refit things. I’d rather be five pounds overweight! Thanks for sharing!
That is so true! A great excuse to eat cake if ever there was one.
It’s like you are in my head! This is so unbelievably true. My biggest problem is that I have like a grand vision for my next few projects, I stock up on all the supplies… then something new and shiny comes along and jumps the line…again and again until that original queue is still waiting….
Also, re: #5, I am so proud of myself for cutting into a gorgeous (cha-ching) navy bamboo stretch knit that I have been hoarding forever. I only had 2m and it was the PERFECT basic, it could be anything. But I finally took the plunge and am so glad I finally did.
We just have to realize that the ‘perfect’ project will never come and it’ll be much more useful as a final garment than folded in the stack.
I am the same with queuing up supplies – I think I have about five projects waiting in line at the moment! You’re so right about taking the plunge and cutting into fabrics – after all, you can’t show them off to everyone if they’re folded up in a cupboard! Glad it worked out for the navy bamboo knit :)
Oh yes, all of them are true! I was just thinking today that some of the fabric in my stash could be considered vintage, they’ve been there for so long. Have you stabbed yourself with the seam ripper yet? That’s when the real fun begins!;)
I can so relate to this. Especially no1 and no6. I had an awkward moment the other day when I spotted one of those threads randomly attached to my other half’s trousers. We were out and I wasn’t sure whether to try to remove it or not, as it was in rather an awkward area. Anyway, no 6, is favourite day-dreaming territory. Problem is I spend more hours day-dreaming on my commute than there are hours for making, so I’m definitely going to have the “never enough time to realise all the ideas in my head” problem!
You nailed it…you are right on all points!
#7 You can’t throw anything out anymore. That fleece blanket you don’t use? That’s like 5 dog jackets. Those jeans where the zipper broke? Backing, strengthening fabric, and just plain useful. Those jeans with the hole in it? Use the zipper! etc etc.
I’m the same, I can’t bear to part with anything ‘just in case’ it might be useful!
I’ve yet to meet the carpet pin but the idea terrifies me :O
I could never bear parting with money for ready made anyway, which was my reaaon for starting to sew. but some high street stores have such shoddy quality that im beginning to feel like a “neat seam snob” :D
So true! I find high street pattern-matching also leaves much to be desired too! Although mine isn’t always perfect I must admit ;)
Found myself nodding to it all!! Especially the hoarding of fabric, I have wardrobes full of vintage fabric!!
Ooh how lovely, lucky you!
I know! I love pulling them out and imagining what I may do with them one day!! When that day will come, who knows!!
My roommate is always complaining about pins and needles on the ground..oops.