Sewing Stress: How Social Media Creates Pressure to Make More

Have you ever scrolled on social media and ended up comparing yourself to other sewists? It seems like everyone in my feed is making more and more clothes these days, whilst I am 'falling behind' and not being 'productive enough'.
In this video, I am talking about how social media can cause sewing stress and create this pressure to make more, and most importantly: what to do about it!
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My name is Matilda. Some call me Matti and that’s how the name Miss Matti was born. I am a multi-passionate fashion designer, that doesn't only love sewing & knitting clothes, but I also love trying out all sorts of creative projects. My goal is to help you live a more creative & sustainable life both for yourself & the planet.
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[@missmatti]

Have you ever experienced sewing stress & the pressure to make more? If so, what did you do to tackle it? Let me know in comment down below! 👇🏻

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

The number one thing that will kill my mood to sew or make) is the word "deadline." I can't explain it; but, when a deadline is put on the object to be made (everything in me slows down). All the fun has been taken away. The second thing to kill my mood to sew (or make) is a competition. Old memories of ridicule, sabotage, vandalism, and thievery come back (and make me wish I had not entered the competition). I am new to social media; and, I don't feel any pressure from anyone over my sewing out put. In fact, I don't know how to buy, shop, post pictures, or compete online. I have many unfinished objects in my sewing room. I may never finish all of them. I don't feel any pressure from the internet.

[@missmatti]

I am glad to hear you don’t get affected by comparison online! 😊 And thank you for sharing so vulnerably your relationship to deadline and competitions. ❤️ I have a complicated relationship with deadlines myself. In one way they can get me into action (chronic procrastinator here 🙋🏼‍♀️) but I also often are left feeling burnt out and like I am falling on the finish line. In my case all of that is also connected to past experiences (although very different from yours.) I am trying to make sewing and my other creative projects fun going forward, because I am done with that experience.

[@kathrynledger]

I started refashioning my wardrobe and only buying thrifted clothes, when I realised I could never find items I liked. At first I thought my fascination with Bernadette Banner and the other "vintage makers" was a bit strange, I had no need or want to make stays or petticoats etc. But then I realised I loved watching the planning and patterning as much as the sewing, which is lucky because most of sewing is not sewing. They are my inspiration for "If they can make that, then I can..." So far it has been random from chopping a chunk out of a sofa and recovering it, to embroidering a bunch of flowers on a thrifted coat. So glad I don't feel the pressure to produce quickly.

[@missmatti]

That’s the reason I love watching Bernadette Banner and other historical costumers too. Like you I do not plan to make historical clothes anytime soon, but I find inspiration from how it was made for my modern day sewing. I also love how they embrace the process not just the final outcome.

[@lisettegarcia]

In searching for fabric for a client, recently, I found a hot pile of personal UFOs. I resolved right then and there not to make anything new until these were done. So, when I get the itch to stitch for myself, I shop the UFO pile and finish one thing. Some are still pending solutions and they go back in the UFO pile for further deliberation. But I have been making a solid dent and am quite pleased with the output. As for favorite YT sewists with combined interests, my favorites are Rachel Maksy and Morgan Donner. They both seem to follow their inspirations with deep passion yet a light heart.

[@janeunion8748]

I set myself dual challenges: Work through my fabric stash (5-10 years, optimistically) and mend or alter all the items I would still enjoy wearing. I agree that the main thing is to cater to one’s own specific taste and fit. I like nice clothes, even though I only get dressed up once a week for church. A few that I really love beat a dozen that are not quite right!

[@missmatti]

I totally agree! 🥰

[@tetecalisto]

I'm all for slow sewing. When I want to make a lot of things, I end up not doing anything. It's easier and more effective for me to focus on one project at a time. I started sewing and transforming clothes when I gained weight and couldn't find comfortable, beautiful clothes that fit 🤷‍♀️

[@missmatti]

We just gotta do what works best for us! 😊 I, myself, often work best when I have 2-3 projects on the go but if I extend that amount I do not get anything done either.

[@jackiejames4551]

I haven't sewn in a long time. I got a new machine and it was so complicated, I felt intimidated by it, so I just put it away and now I sew by hand when things NEED to be done.

[@teresagood8]

I absolutely understand. My brain gets frazzled alot more easily these days. Sometimes I take the easier for me, way out too.

[@robinlandtroop2774]

Maybe that should be your long term project . When I got a new machine I felt the same way but I read and reread the manual then went to the machine with the manual and started "playing" with machine. Even now there are times when I need to check manual but I don't fear the machine. I am the boss. Hope this helps and good luck.

[@missmatti]

Taking some time to play with the machine is a great idea! 🥰 Looking back I often learnt most by just playing around when I was younger. But then I got obsessed with being “productive” so I didn’t allow myself time to just play and learn for a long time. I am trying to allow time for that more now. Hope you get over the hurdle with your complicated machine!

[@teresagood8]

I haven't sewn I a very long time, like you said, for various reasons. I'm planning to start again but it WILL be slow going. I loved this video and would appreciate one about comparisons. Be happy.

[@missmatti]

Slow is the way to go! 🥰 I am currently very excited to get back into sewing once my sewing space is set up again (currently it’s in boxes), but I will try to not overdo it just because I am excited.

[@carolinegriggs6604]

Same. Please do make the content you mentioned, Matti. Thank you for your helpful videos! Your content is relatable and enjoyable

[@missmatti]

@@carolinegriggs6604 thank you for your kind words! 🥰 I will get onto making the comparison video once I have my sewing & filming space set up again, and hopefully more slow sewing content in 2023!

[@henriettejosephine]

I totally agree, I can‘t understand why someone would sew 30 dresses in the same pattern. It is just ridiculous. I sew when I need something orwhen I have an idea to make something extraordinary. I try to use my stash or clothes out of my closet which I don‘t wear anymore. And of course I love making cute dresses for my granddaughter.

[@missmatti]

Making 30 dresses in the same pattern sounds like a nightmare to me 😂 I get very bored making the same item over and over. Even when I make a variation of a pattern I have already made I am wondering “Am I boring?” 😅

[@sateditz4863]

Hi Matti ! Love the content you're putting out, great presentation and very entertaining. I specialized in editing KZbin videos and would love to edit your videos. There is a great potential for growth and time for improving your content if the editing work is outsourced. Mind giving me a chance to help you grow ? Thanks