Hey peeps,

This is my report/reveal of my sewing challenge I started in January called #remakeyourRTW2019.

It was supposed to end in June, but I extended it till July, but somehow LOL LOL LOL I'm only just done filming and editing.

I hope you like my makes so far, I still have two partially finished projects in there, then I intend to do a look book.

But let me know what you think of my makes, which is your fav etc

Also pls do signup to be a part of the family as we continue on this sewing journey.

Thanks so much for stopping by and please do come back next time.

   Hello everyone,

I've been so looking forward to this post.


The sign-up for #memademade2019 has begun.

For those who don't know what #memademay is all about, lemme fill you in.

It's a sewing activity that has been happening during the month of May for a couple of years now, and, it takes the sewing world by storm.
You take/make a pledge of your choice to wear your self-sewn garments however number of times a week for the month of May.
The creator of this activity Zoe Edwards is very clear that it is not a photo challenge (even tho Instagram gets bombarded with pics of people wearing their genius makes 😂😂😂😂, can you tell I'm excited & I love it?) or any challenge of the sort, there aren't even any prizes.
It's really just a means to make sewist wear more of their makes.

Now I'm extra super excited because I've been planning this since last year.

It was one of the contributing reasons to my sewing challenge I created #RYRTW2019 Remake Your RTW(ready to wear, also called store-bought clothes).

Though at this point in time I feel it's necessary to be open and honest and say I've only finished 1 of my 6 items, the second one is about 75% finished, I've just lost my sewjo for like a week plus now.

Now, as you can tell from my pledge there, I'm keeping things pretty simple my first time out.
I'll only be wearing something me made at least twice in a week, but it could be more.
I'll definitely be posting my makes on Instagram so you can check me out there, but I'm also thinking of doing photo posts on here too, mostly because I saw one of my fav style bloggers doing it.
It might get me into blogging more frequently than I am now.

WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?

But, signups have begun, at Zoe's blog, so head over there & also to find out more info.

                                                  
                                                                   

Hello everyone,

Even though it's February and not my first post of the year, this is a post about my new year resolutions (mostly as pertains to sewing, this blog and my Youtube channel), so,  I'm officially wishing everyone a VERY VERY HAPPY START TO THE NEW YEAR.

I've already made a new year post on my youtube channel but I didn't talk much about my plans on how to grow and expand my blog, which started making me feel like I might not be taking this blog as serious as I should, which really isn't the case.

I    do feel like the blog is growing, but not at a steady pace, things are very bumpy right now if my google analytics is anything to go by.

But, I have received some offers for guest posts etc, which I'm not against but I must say I'm really stumped as to how to get the blog upward at a steady pace, with Youtube I know posting at least once a week will get you somewhere but blogging feels so much different especially with my niche.

So, while I'm certain I'll be posting content at least once a week because of my Youtube, I just feel like, I should give more to the blog and people who follow it.

Last year I did a post on fashion week trends which received a lot of compliments, maybe posts around the fashion industry might not be a bad idea.

This is turning out to be a cry for help than an actual resolutions video, LOL.

Also, I got an offer from someone to post ads on my site, they asked for rates, which I know nothing about, so, I haven't gotten back to them yet.

Is this a good thing? Does it mean my blog is getting noticed? How does one decipher frauds online? Please if anyone can point me to a blog post where I can find answers, I'll be so indebted.

RECAP OF THE NEW YEAR PLANS

• Will be posting once a week at least
• Might be open to niche related guest posts(is this a good idea even?)
• I'm open to advert opportunities
• Also will be doing other posts around fashion & style etc

If anyone is interested, here's my new year resolutions video on my Youtube channel. In it, I talk about the sewing challenge I started and invite everyone to join it. Take a look



OK then, what are your new year resolutions? It doesn't have to be sewing, blog or youtube related, drop it here let's hold each other accountable.

                

 Or more to the point................................WHY DO I SEW?

Stranger: Oh I love this your top
Me: Thanks a lot, yeah I love the yellow fabric
Stranger: Yeah it's very lovely, where did you get it?
Me: I sewed it
Stranger: Oh ok, which tailor?
Me: No, I mean I sewed it myself
Stranger: You sew? (Startled face). Please sew for me.
Me: Oh sorry I don't sew for people
Stranger1: (baffled look) You sew? WHY?
Stranger2: (baffled look) You don't sew for people? WHY?

If you sew, then this conversation is not strange to you, especially for me as a Nigerian where sewing as a hobby is not the norm, people don't get it at all at all.

Sewing is a proper business in Nigeria, a very lucrative one at that.

But this is the boat I find myself in and I'm happy with it and the community I have found online. We can all gush over a pair of scissors and our day is made.

But getting back to this post, I find that this is a question I get a lot and have struggled to explain to people.
Some of the reasons/benefits didn't even make themselves clear to me until years later.

Or is the real question, "Why do I need to explain myself and my sewing?" (I've actually been called selfish for not sewing for others, has this happened to any of you?)

I have always been a lover of fashion and style but never really liked most things in the shops(high street).
 I'm that annoying friend you take to the shops and she doesn't like the fabric, or she wishes those pants were just an inch or two longer? etc

Well, since I didn't like most of what was in the shops, the next logical step for me was going to tailors to sew my clothes which is a normal thing in Nigeria.

So, off I went to the tailors with my bright ideas I'd gleaned from high fashion magazines, and, of course, I was met with disappointments.

Now you have to understand, this was many years ago and this skill of the average tailor then was lacking.
No real attention to the details, they were sewing a lot of caftans and fabric choices were very limited.

It was around this time that I came to the conclusion that I'd make my own clothes so that I could wear WHATEVER I WANTED or, mostly what I saw in high fashion magazines.

And I feel that this is the line or bridge if you will, that separates us sewist, dressmakers, creatives etc from other people.
Because I think other people despite bad experiences with any tailor would just continue looking for a good tailor instead of trying to DO IT THEMSELVES.

So, I found a local neighbourhood tailor to teach me how to sew and I've never looked back.

Are there times when I have thought, gurlllllllll go buy yourself this top instead of stressing out trying to draft out this pattern.

Yes, I'm not gonna lie, but as the years go by, the perks of this sewing gig are growing right in front of my eyes and those voices, no longer as loud or frequent.

Here are some of the perks/benefits I get out of sewing and why I feel it's so worth it.

A unique wardrobe, fit for my body

But when you know how to sew, you can sew to fit your uniqueness, dress it super fabulous like you feel you should look.
That gives you a shot of self-confidence like nothing else.

Complete design control

Like when Peter pan collars were on trend so errrrverything had to have a peter pan collar, which I don't care for.

If you sew, you have control over how everything looks and feels. Fabric, colours, embellishments, where your peplum starts etc, all depend on what you want.

You can also nurture your design skills, even if you feel you don't have any.

The thrill of a new challenge

I'm a slow sewer, I'd be the first to admit that, but starting up a new project puts me in a good mood because it means new ways of improving my skills.

If I'm making something I've made before, I find myself doing things in half the time, and I can literally see my skills improving.


It makes you feel like you're in control of things.

The sense of accomplishment

At the other end of that the absolute high you get from finishing a project. 

I promise you, nothing compares to having an idea for a finished item and watching flat fabric transform into a top, skirt, a quilt etc

I hate fast fashion

It's a marketable skill

For most people sewing is a cheaper alternative to buying clothes because you can get cheaper fabrics, I don't personally think so.
Sewing takes time and effort, that I sometimes feel is more expensive than buying RTW clothes.

And the longer you sew the more you realize the importance of good fabrics so that your makes last.
Right from the beginning, I was never interested in getting cheap fabrics, just the skill to make my clothes look as badass as the ones in Vogue magazines.

Where I feel sewing shines is that it's a marketable skill, it can make you money.
I don't sew for money but I won't lie that I've been in a pinch money wise and taken on a job/commission or two to tide me over.

There are so many avenues of making money from your sewing.

 Like you can be in the business of mending clothes and making alterations, you can work as a pattern designer, you can work in the wardrobe unit on film sets or also make custom clothing, home furnishings and even vintage clothing for people.

There are also other things you can do where knowledge of sewing is not necessarily required but it's an added benefit like in being a fashion designer or working in a sewing factory.

It's a lifelong skill

So........... RETIREMENT PLAN ☑

Now that you know what answers to give about your love/passion for sewing, how about ways of taking your sewing skills to new heights.

Did you know sewing was this badass? Do you agree or disagree with any of my points? Do you have anything to tell us?

Let's have a conversation in the comment section, I'd love to hear from you.

Don't forget to join other sewing friends by dropping your email address, like us on facebook etc