Conversation about Design

Many of us who have a passion for garment sewing do not think of ourselves as designers, and we even doubt that we have the skills to design. In this video, my student Kris Haight and I delve into the topic of design:
• We explore why the thought of designing for ourselves might feel overwhelming.
• We acknowledge that as soon as you select a pattern and fabric, you are actually designing.
• We discuss how to become comfortable with the design process, including specific exercises I give to many of my students.
• We talk about how our desire for perfection can paralyze us.
• We discuss steps that help us become comfortable with making design decisions.
• And we talk about how freeing it can be to start designing our own garments.
I offer many opportunities of study, from one-on-one online or in-person study, to my 6-week and 4-month mentorship programs. For more information, please visit my website: www.sarahveble..., or email me: [e-mail].
To be notified of new free CZcams videos, please subscribe to my CZcams channel. Several more conversations on a range of topics are planned.

[@barbottolino2519]

excellent format and examples. Using your checked garment with the piped yolk was a terrific jumping off point, so perhaps consider wearing or showing a FEW more garments in future broadcasts. I took a wonderful course from you, Sarah, years ago at a sewing expo, but my lifestyle changed radically (professional -> farm work) and now that I have returned to big city life my body has aged, so I have a fabulous stash but must begin anew.
Your neckline conversation riveted me because I now know how NOT thinking of changing necklines (as well as many other parts of garments) has stopped my sewing - because of pattern choices. I know exactly how I want garments to move and "feel" and now need to incorporate that into designs that yield that comfort and style. I very much look forward to designing as I have an amazing fabric stash that fits with my return to a cosmopolitan lifestyle. Silk and fine Italian wool never impressed the livestock much!.
Shoes often dictate what can be worn - many dresses look terrible with flats, but many of us can no longer wear much of a heel because we are working on crippling concrete floors barely covered with a minimal, and crippling, surface. Addressing this issue should be a REAL challenge. I taught sculpture for two decades in a room where the temperature was always in the high 90's. Everyone left class wring with sweat. Addressing issues of workplace attire that is professional AND survivable might be another challenge, and there is the issue of people looking down your neckline every time you move as you perform your job, that can be quite limiting. I am no prude, but as my students admitted, they even looked down their grandmothers necklines - painfully honest kids!
Chris's remarks were very helpful. That the two of you have such different ways of problem solving and interacted so well with each other is the great strength of this video! I learned equally from both of you. Thank you both for so candidly and generously sharing your different approaches to problem solving. I look forward to your interactions with future guests.

[@sarahveblenclothingoriginals]

I'm so glad you enjoyed Kris' and my conversation. We're planning more topics for discussion, so it's interesting to read what's on your mind regarding sewing these days. And I will have other guests, too.

[@MsSparky321]

Love this conversation. Nobody seems to be talking about these ideas that I think about often. Very inspiring.

[@sarahveblenclothingoriginals]

Hi Miriam - I'm so glad that you found our conversation interesting. These ideas and concepts come up frequently working with many of my students, so I wanted to do a free CZcams video about them. Having a conversation revolving around them seemed a natural way to do it. Thanks for watching!