Sew Quality, Sow Confidence
Shirt made with FS Bleached Heavyweight 100% Linen
Have you ever walked by someone famous?
When I was flying back from saying goodbye to my grandmother who was passing away, I saw a young man at the Denver International Airport. I didn’t know who he was. I still don’t, actually. But when I saw him, I did a double take.
There was something different about him. He stood out. He looked confident, fresh, keen, powerful, kind, intelligent.
I tried not to stare at him, but it was hard not to. When I wasn’t looking at him, I kept him in my peripheral vision while pretending to be busy with something else.
To my astonishment, soon after he alighted from the airplane, some high school boys came over and shyly asked for his autograph. He very kindly sat down and talked with them for a few minutes.
It was shocking!
How had I known there was something special about him? What was it specifically? And why wasn’t I going up to ask for his autograph, too?! Never mind the fact I didn’t know who he was….
Shirt made with FS Bleached Heavyweight 100% Linen
I don’t know why famous people stand out, but what I do know is that you can feel in awe of someone for no apparent reason. I think a lot of it has to do with how those people feel about themselves, how confident they are.
The wonderful thing about confidence is that we can create it within ourselves, and the clothes we put on our bodies can help.
I love to sew clothes with extra details like French seams and double rolled hems because they help me remember my worth, help me tap into my inner confidence that is so easy to leave at home when you go out into the world.
French seams and rolled hems take more time to sew, require more care. They add quality and durability to a garment that few RTW brands offer in their clothing. They look nicer than serged edges, and they feel more luxurious next to your skin.
They act as a shield around you, a reminder that you are worthy of being clothed in quality things and that you have permission to cultivate indelible confidence. Not because of anything you have done or haven’t done — simply because you are a woman with intrinsic worth and beauty and quality.
When you are out and about and you have a moment where you notice your skin brushing against the French seam of your shirt, or a gale of wind sends the hem of your skirt billowing up and you catch a glimpse of your double rolled hem, let it be a little love letter to yourself.
When you sew your own clothes, you get to choose the quality of the things you put on your body. It’s a wonderful, confidence boosting power to have.
Let’s make it our goal to have people do double takes when we step off airplanes because of how powerfully our presence stands out, okay?
Shirt made with FS Bleached Heavyweight 100% Linen
Leave a comment
Related posts
Sol Pattern: One Step Closer to Find the Perfect Trouser
How often do I talk about my “perfect trouser” mission? Hopefully not too much because the journey continues. The perfect trouser is one that is balanced and hits all “the boxes” (you can read about the start of my journey here)…and guess what? The pants view of the Sol Pattern is one step closer. The…
My Seven Favourite Patterns for Linen
Linen is my favorite fabric to sew with—no surprise here, since you’ve probably read my other articles, 90% of which focus on linen patterns. There are a handful of patterns I always reach for when sewing with linen, so here’s a quick roundup of those that have recently moved to the top of my list….
Anatomy of the Paola Workwear Jacket Sewing Pattern
Besides the love of sewing itself, there’s another thing that sewists the world over have in common: the excitement we share for free sewing patterns. It’s not just about the zero cost, although that’s certainly a perk—it’s about the thrill of finding new designs, the joy of sharing those patterns with fellow sewists, and the…
Tea is Medicine
Tea is Medicine. Which feelings do these words evoke in you? Do you agree? Do you have doubts that this is true? After all, most people drink tea casually and perhaps on autopilot almost daily – often in front of TV, or while scrolling social media. Mostly, teabags are used because they are fast and…
Unraveling the Mystery: Bias Cut Fabric + Seven Sewing Patterns
Whatever stage you’re at in your journey of creating a handmade wardrobe, there are a few basic concepts that should become second nature in your sewing practice. For example, having separate pairs of scissors—one for paper and one for fabric—and understanding the grainline your pattern pieces require, whether they should be cut on the straight…
SEW THIS LOOK
Latest Posts
10 Comments
Mary Munch
I recognize Sarah’s Chamomile Crop and Rosemary Wrap patterns from her previous posts. They are available on her website https://sarkirsten.com/patterns .Cute!!
Sarah Kirsten
Thanks for sharing this, Mary!
Priscilla Tern
What is a double rolled hem?
Sarah Kirsten
Hello Priscilla,
It’s simply a hem that you fold up twice and then sew, so no edges are exposed.
Deb Groby
I’d also like to know the name of both top and skirt pattern. They are very cute!
Sarah Kirsten
Hello Deb,
These are the Chamomile Crop and the Rosemary Wrap. Perfect in this lovely linen!
Peggy Hannel
What a lovely statement, “Sew quality, sow confidence!” … YES! Thank you for sharing these feelings and observations! Because of Fabrics-store and their generosity with free tutorials (French seams etc.) I have upped my game as well, and now point out the interior of my finished garments to my family, showing them how there are NO frays and ravels, no raw seams, no hidden signs that this was quickly made with factory labor. I had purchased the Cameron pattern, and the first time I had gotten past the “burrito method” on their yoke — I stopped my project then-and-there to seek out my husband, “Look how NICELY this turned out!!!”. I have since resolved in my mind to replace the term “homemade” with “handmade”.
Sarah Kirsten
Haha Peggy I love this! The burrito method is pretty amazing, isn’t it? It feels almost like a form of magic 🙂
Lana Waller
Hi,
Would you mind sharing what pattern your top and wrap skirt are? I would love to make this set.
Thank you
Lana
Sarah Kirsten
Hi Lana, these are the Chamomile Crop and the Rosemary Wrap. It is my summertime go-to outfit 🙂
You can find them here: https://sarkirsten.com/patterns