There are three myths on dressmaking that I would like to uncover for you. Maybe just one or even all three of them hold you back from being the dressmaker you want to be.
Like every other topic out there, we get ideas and impressions. Some are true and some are not true. How often do you just get an impression about something or someone and later find out it was way off? It happens all the time right?
It’s the same with dressmaking. We form impressions by the things we hear other dressmakers say and talk about and it doesn’t take long to feel like we don’t know anything even though we have just as much is experience in sewing as they do.
And I am here to tell you that those impressions and feelings can be erased and you can become a confident dressmaker.
Myth number 1
Myths on dressmaking number one is, you have to be an expert to sew dresses that are acceptable.
Has anyone told you that? First of all, if someone did, they are wrong. You don’t have to be an expert to turn out beautiful dresses. You don’t even have to love sewing! Just the fact that you are willing to sew a dress and put effort into it is all the expertise you need.
And it’s ok to ask for help. Even those you think are experts ask for help. It doesn’t mean you are not an expert if you ask for help. There are always things to learn for anybody. There are new techniques popping up all the time and there is no way to learn them all.
Plus you don’t need to know them all. If you are happy with just the basic that is all that matters. New techniques are for those that love new techniques. Not for those who are happy with basic.
Again, you do not have to be an expert to sew beautiful well-made dresses.
Myth number 2
Myths on dressmaking number two is, there is a right way and a wrong way to sew.
No. There are tons of ways to do the same thing. And you can find which one works for you. And if you come up with one on your own that works, give yourself a pat on the back!
I am not talking here about sewing a sleeve in upside down or sewing buttonholes on the wrong side of the bodice. I am talking about techniques.
Doctors are coming up with new techniques to perform surgeries all the time. Why can’t dressmakers come up with new techniques to make dressmaking easier too?
So don’t limit yourself and think you have to sew a certain way. Sew your way and what works for you.
Myth number 3
Myths on dressmaking number three is,You need to sew fast to be a good seamstress.
Sewing fast has nothing to do with being good at sewing. Speed just means it gets done faster. When the dress is done and you are wearing it are you going to say this is a good dress because I got it done in half a day? No. You are just going to be happy to wear it because it’s a nice new dress to wear.
Those dressmakers that can sew a dress in half a day are no better than you. Remember that. Sewing fast does not make someone a better person.
A good dressmaker is one who puts her best into the project. Whatever her best is. It’s different for everyone.
Sew as fast or as slow as you need to.
Again, three myths on dressmaking are, you need to be an expert to create beautiful dresses, there are right and wrong ways to sew, and you need to sew fast to be a good seamstress.
Those are all myths and do not define a good dressmaker.
Next time you sew a dress give it your best, use techniques that you are comfortable with and sew at whatever speed you need to get the job done so that you are happy with it.
I hope this gives you courage and breaks down some of those barriers that hold you back from being the best dressmaker YOU can be.
Are there any other barriers that hold you back from dressmaking your way? Please let me know in the comments below. We need to get them uncovered and out in the open so we can dissolve them. 🥰
