And I am dreaming of pizza in Venice! Had some there with my granddaughter a few years ago. Keep dreaming. And keep sewing!

Sophie- Beautiful dress.! Amen to safe space. I’m a plus sized gal and rarely post pictures because trolls are the worst,. Keep sewing, and telling us all about it— I’ll keep reading and being inspired.

Hello Sophie, Congratulations on your sewing proficiency and your courageous stance in stating boundaries that civilized people should be following without needing to be reminded! I love reading your blogs, especially when you discuss how you modified some patterns when necessary. You are absolutely right about the fitting process–there is absolutely no perfect pattern that will flatter every body type and not require adaptation somewhere. Sharing your ‘hacks’ is helpful to every serious sewist; people who make hurtful comments are not interested in offering comments on techniques. They are looking for short-term gratification by making themselves sound superior—in THEIR estimation. They definitely don’t appear that way to the other readers. Keep being your authentic self—your designs suit you perfectly and are stylish. I also am grateful that you discuss the type of linen that you use because it helps me decide what weight to try. For example, your ‘Dream Frock’ (gorgeous!) is definitely not the least bit ‘see-through’. How did you prewash and dry the linen for that? It appeared than midweght linen I have washed in lukewarm and line dried. Knowing your prewsh methods for the garments you create would be helpful to number of your readers! I look forward to your future creations in sewing and knitting.1

Happy Anniversary! I don’t always get to read the articles but when I do I find them very interesting!

Thank you for your time and hard work!

Oh Sophie, I understand you completely. My mother, a German immigrant and labor camp survivor, came to this country (USA) with next to nothing. She encouraged me to learn to sew, knit, crochet, embroider and so much more and like you, I am self taught.
I was raped at 15, shortly after my mothers passing from breast cancer, had my daughter at 16 and was in college at 17. My entire life has been criticized, analyzed, and marginalized. As a single mom, I made nearly every stitch of clothing Cara wore on her body and she loved it! She loved participating in deciding what she wanted her clothes to look like and was proud wearing them.
It sucks, of course, that people feel the need to look outside of themselves to call out what they perceive as imperfections and inadequacies but at the end of the day, it is not about us but rather it is about them. They are terrible unhappy with themselves and that comes through in their transference. Let it roll, smile and offer them your best wishes. We are the celebrated ones. oxox

You have an artist’s spirit. Some people won’t loke or approve of your work, your body, your lifestyle, your whatever. It hurts, even when we know it isn’t true. Don’t give those people space in your brain! Throw them out! Your creations are lovely, even more impressive considering the length of time you’ve been sewing.

Sophie-i now have my Nico dress/top pattern almost cut out and am so excited to sew a linen top that i have dyed with purple cabbage all because of you!! Creativity is all about doing what you love. I love the back and front of that dress-it’s all creative gorgeousness!

You keep going! Thank you for your courage and generosity.

Your look screams Artist, and I love a kindred spirit.. Naturally, I find your take on creative sewing of interest in The Thread. Your sewing skills are impressive, as is your wonderful sense of style. I’ve known a few single moms over the years and they all have super powers. It looks likes you have many.

Looks to me like you did a fantastic job of fitting the dress to your body. As someone who always had that same body type (and the rude comments that went with it) and who now that she is a certain age has an entirely different one (if someone finds my waist, would you please return it? Thanks!) on a 6 ft/1.83m frame, I know how challenging it can be to make the “norm” shaped pattern fit the not so “norm” shaped body. Patterns are just a jumping off point for the majority of us of any size or shape. Kudos for a job well done!

To those making them, hurtful personal comments, even under the guise of trying to be “helpful,” are rude and never acceptable in polite society, whether in person or in writing. Even more so if the person is a stranger. Shame on you.

What a pretty, white dress! You did a grand job making it, the fit is perfection, especially considering that that is your first zipper encounter. Well done! Did you use a dress form? I’ve recently gotten one and it makes fitting so much easier.
Mean people are everywhere but there are good people out here, too! I’ve learned that usually mean people feel deficient and that causes jealousy which results in striking out against those that have what they lack. Pass over those comments, don’t reread. I have a quote I keep in my back pocket ? Something like: Everyone Else’s Opinion of Me Is None Of My Business.

Hi Sophie,
I’m 70 years old, been married 50 years, live in a small midwest town and have never really wanted to travel. You might wonder why I’m telling you all of this since it doesn’t seem like we have very much in common. I however feel like we are friends, I look forward to your next post to see your beautiful creations and what new thing you have learned in your sewing. I don’t ever remember a time when I haven’t sewed so it a very big part of my life. Sewing with linen is a totally new for me as I’ve mostly been a quilter in the past. The sizes and clarity of directions from Fabric.-Store patterns have expanded my sewing. Don’t let others get you down, there are lots of other people like me who really enjoy seeing and hearing what you are doing. P.S. This is another first for me as I have never posted anything before! Enjoy life!

Hi Sophie! I’m so sorry that you’ve had to tolerate any rude comments–I’m constantly amazed (I don’t know why :-/) that people will go out of their way to turn something as uplifting as sewing/fabric/creativity into something tense and unpleasant. I’m glad you have your creative outlets, as it certainly sounds like you have your hands full; I know I relied on my creative “happy place” when my boys were young. You’re very talented, and I always enjoy reading your posts. Don’t let the unhappy people who try to tear you down break you! And now I have to go look up “Lydia Naomi”, because I think I may need some patterns. Take care, Tracy

Hello , I am glad that this subject is being brought up . I feel that I have some information that may help all of us understand what is going on inside of “Simplicating Languaging. ” At this point , we are almost 100 years in , and so many people speak using a thought process they are not even aware of . This thought process is simplication . It was a mathematical term ( Math is the root of all language ) created in the 1930’s which is when the subject being discussed is reduced so as to be better able to fit it into a category . Imagine a box of apples , where the apples have their peels cut back to make the apples square , and thus packed into the box . Sure , more apples will fit , but they also will ALL soon rot . The reason why life is so energized is because it is very complex . Complexity is necessary for survival . Nowhere does nature simplicate . Simplify , sometimes , simplicate , never . Simplication creates Cognitive Dissonance , Cognitive Dissonance IS biological torture , our beautiful brain loves balance harmony and wisdom , when we present it with words that have no purpose other than controlling something that should not be controlled , it gets confused . Inclusion , Harmony , and Mutuality need to replace ideas like discrimination , individuation , and judgement . I am not sure if this is appropriate for the sewing site , I won’t get my feelings hurt if it is not published , but I do feel that I need to always make the effort to share the information that I have had to figure out .

Sorry Sophie, but after many years on this earth I’ve got to tell you there are and always will be people who build themselves up by putting others down. That said, back to sewing! I think you are a very talented lady, and I also look forward to your posts. Happy Trails!

I am stunned and saddened to hear that anyone would leave a comment that is anything but helpful. Readers should be sharing their thoughts on your sewing choices and techniques. Nothing else. Suggestions should be made in a supportive way. Personally, I look forward to your well written posts. Thank you for sharing your work.