Sassy Sewing Gals (and Guys): Inspiration from the Blogging Community

Those who know me know that I have a tendency to obsess. Since late fall, when I joined BurdaStyle and began following their wonderful blog, I have been religiously lurking in the style/sewing blogging community. BurdaStyle, in particular, offer patterns either free or at a nominal price, tutorials, and feature members and their phenomenal projects. It’s such an inspiration to see various takes on the same pattern. BurdaStyle’s blog lead to another and to another and now I’ve got a list of them that constitute my daily bread.

I recently got in trouble with the university for carrying nearly a 70-hour/week workload (which is why I post so infrequently). In a way it was a sigh of relief, a sort of real-life validation of my fatigue. Because so much of the work I do is solitary at all hours (most of which is done at home in my PJs), I tend to forget the hours I’m actually clocking.

So taking a moment from my days to read these blogs is a treat. I love the informal nature of the blog-o-sphere; there is so much voice and creativity and wit and humor (in contrast to some of the uber-fashionista blogs that can be a little snarky). Since sewing, like all my other interests, is solitary, I am relieved to read about the frustrations of other sewers and am utterly inspired by their successes. It helps me, more than ever, to appreciate the process. Beyond craft, I feel like this is simply a group of folks who care about quality, the reality and beauty of the bodies they have, and who, like me, are most likely to go to Anthropologie not on shopping sprees but reconnaissance missions.

I’m speaking too broadly, perhaps. But these bloggers make me want to sew. It’s dangerous ground actually, because sometimes I’m tempted to say: What thesis? I’m going to sew a skirt today! Sigh. I have to keep telling myself that the land of post-degree is filled with pretty fabrics and hours to play with them.

So, in order to share the inspiration, I’ve listed the blogs I hate to miss. The list is ever-growing, and I admittedly never comment (it's the old journo in me, I'm used to being the observer), but I’m going to change that. Briefly, in alphabetical order.

A Dress A Day is a manifestation of my dream to have a BurdaStyle Heidi dress in every color. Boo Dogg and Me makes me want to devote my life to sewing vintage dresses. The BurdaStyle, Colette Patterns and Fashion Gorgeois are wonderful resources for sewers of any level. Gertie’s New Blog for Better Sewing just rocks the party: everything from tutorials, discussions on feminism and fashion, and downright inspiration. One Pearl Button, another graduate student after my own heart. I’ve joined in the OPB sew along to whip up the BurdaSytle Marie skirt! I’m an avid thrifter, and Sew I Thought is so inspiring in terms of transforming existing pieces. Sew Retro is a wonderful depository for vintage-pattern sewers. So, Zo… I found via Colette and I just love her finished projects. Tilly and the Buttons is another beginner with sewing dreams (and lovely dresses!). verypurpleperson had me at her two batik dresses. I have very similar fabric from the Philippines and haven’t known what to do with it until I came across her blog. And finally, I’m aiming for a two-month Wardrobe Refashion pledge.

That pesky thesis calls. :(