Finding My Sewjo Mojo
As most of you can tell by my absence, I’ve been having a tough time lately. Simply put, I haven’t been able to sew. At all. As in, I was the point where I would sit at my machine not knowing what to do next…not even sure I remembered how to thread it.
It was bad. Really really bad. I would look at my refashion rack and I couldn’t see any of the possibilities that used to be so obvious to me. The more I thought about it, the worse it got. I didn’t even want to share other people’s refashions, as these were folks who were able to do something that I was somehow not able to do anymore.
I don’t know how to explain losing the ability to do something that you’ve done for years that is a part of your identity. I am a ReFashionista. I want to change the way the world thinks about fashion. But what happens when you know you’re getting in your own way, and don’t know how to stop overthinking, and just do what you’ve always done?
I remember listening to This American Life months ago when they aired a segment titled, “My Own Worst Enemy”. In this segment, they talk about the strange phenomenon of really amazing professional baseball pitchers who suddenly choke. They simply can’t throw strikes anymore. They fall apart for purely psychological reasons. You can listen to this really fascinating segment right here. This phenomenon has been nicknamed “Steve Blass Disease” after the most famous incident of this.
There’s a 50% chance of getting your mojo back after you first experience Steve Blass Disease.
I hope none of this sounds melodramatic. Most of my recent creative opportunities and successes have been a result of this blog, however indirect. Years ago, this blog gave me confidence when I didn’t have very much, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it, and you. You, just for reading this silly blog, have made me a better person. And I don’t care if that sounds lame, because it’s true.
When I left work yesterday, I texted my friend Erin who I had made plans with to see a show later that night. She asked if I wanted to swing by her house for a glass of wine before heading out.
My response: “I’m going to try to sew something (ha) beforehand. I’ll let you know how that goes.”
Erin’s Response: “Oh you still do that? lol”
lol?
LOL?
L.O.L.?!?
Nothing mean was meant by this. Erin just thought I had been busy and hadn’t felt like refashioning lately. But something in that acronym made me angry. Not at her, but at myself. I was livid. I blasted angry music in my car during my drive home.
“lol?” I thought to myself. “F*ck that. F*ck all of this.”
This is an old before pic of a refashion I hadn’t gotten around to actually starting.
I am not laughing out loud.
I grabbed it, and without really thinking about it, began ripping off the sleeves.
Don’t upgrade to WordPress 3.9! You won’t be able to edit image size!
They were quickly discarded.
You will not be missed.
“LOL”, I muttered angrily, tossing the dress on my form.
I snipped off the pockets, as they’d be going buhbye in the taking-in process.
Farewell, Pocket!
I’ll miss you guys!
Pinning!
At this point, I wasn’t thinking about anything other than the challenge of completing this refashion in time to meet my friend. I worked quickly.
Taking in those sides without contemplation!
I think nothing of getting rid of a bit of length!
Pinning new armholes!
Stitching those arm holes without a bit of thought.
Adding a new hem…it ain’t no big thing.
I gave my new dress a good press, and texted Erin.
“On my way to your place in my new dress!”
It felt way too incredibly good to send that text.
I feel like my sewjo has returned. I mean it.
Oh hai!
Now…if only I could remember how to pose properly…
What the What?!?
Pals!
I enjoyed a bit of victory wine after the show.
Cheers!
And Erin sat across from me…having no idea how she inadvertently inspired me that day.
Seriously clueless.
I don’t think I’ll tell her.
Unless she happens to read this post.
Cheers!
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Good for you!!! Getting into a rut can be a horrible thing but it also can refuel you with purpose! The dress looks great and I’m glad to see you climb back on the refashioning horse.
Well good for you my dear…. this last refashion is really adorable and what a gorgeous color.. Edith
When I saw the all so familiar refashionista email hit my inbox; my pulse raced; my heart started to beat rather fast and I rushed like crazy to log on to your blog and see what you’d done. You have no idea how much you inspire so many of us.
Let me just say…………..girl; your mojo is back and it’s ferocious! This is by far one of my most favorite ones; evah!
I love, love, love the color on you (not to mention your great big smile of triumph) and the little caps on the sleeves are so darn sweet; it literally hurts my teeth to look at them!
I am so glad that you are back………now keep that mojo risin; risin, risin!
Fabulously written and love the dress. You are extremely inspiring. Don’t EVER give up. You have amazing talent. We all go through a “mental block” and I’m thrilled and proud of you for kicking that “lol’s” butt! You rock.
Good for you! I’m happy you found it again 🙂 I have a whole pile of things I want to sew, but my big thing now is getting rid of all this stuff I have collected. I am 31 and no kids, why do I need stuffed animals? That stuff should be gone! LOL For reals.
And I am also annoyed that new WP doesn’t let you adjust size of photos. What a pain that has been! I cannot think of any reason they took that ability away.
I just figured out how to adjust the image size! We used to be able to adjust the size in the settings window by %, now you can adjust the image size like you would in a Word Document. When you are actually in the post editing section, click on the picture in one of its corners and do the click-and-drag you would do to resize a picture in Word or Powerpoint or photoshop.
Also, congrats on finding your sewing mojo again! The dress looks great.
Wow! That’s actually a big improvement. 🙂 Thanks!
Friends are there for a good reason!!!
I think this is my favorite re fashion yet! Love the color, and your design is awesome! Very flattering and trendy!
Yay you! You’ve been missed!
It is a beautiful dress!
Love your blog and being brave to talk about this. I have been a reader for a while. I have several things I want to refashion including a mumuu that I want to make into a pillowcase, a purse with a big scratch to cover, jeans into pants and a shirt that doesn’t look like something more suited for my Grandma. I need to just do it like you did and commit.
Blogger burnout happens to everyone… I have been blogging (about life in Mazatlan Mexico) for seven years and every year or so I have to find my mojo again, too. Glad you’re back!
Way to go! It looks great on you!
Great to see this pop up in my email! Welcome back from Boston! You’ve been missed. 🙂
I so completely feel you, Honey. I’m a visual artist and I have had *nothing* going on for the longest. I’ll try to keep the faith and wait for my own mojo to resurface, but in the meantime, I am utterly overjoyed for you. Keep a light in the window, will ‘ya?
Congrats! Your latest refash looks awesome. So glad u got your mono back coz I really enjoy your blog. Thanks n keep up the good work.
Love love love!!! So glad your back ♡♡♡ This is a terrific refashion! ! Absolutely love the color and how you “fixed” it. So much better.
Nothing like the mix of a challenge & a deadline to inspire creativity ; ) Glad you got your groove back.
This dress is fantastic, and I’m so glad to see that you’re feeling better about refashioning. 🙂
I am so glad that you have healed from you RFCS,
refashionista constipation syndrome.
Missed you, glad that you have returned to my inbox.
Ah! I love this dress.
Thank you for sharing all this with us. I always look forward to reading your blog. I think your refashioning philosophy is awesome, and you’ve inspired me to refashion old clothes, too. (My refashions are very simple, but they worked, and I got “new” blouses out of it).
You rock!
I understand the feeling and am glad you’re back!!! I always get excited when I see you’ve a new post up 🙂 Long time fan and a refashioner for 3 years running because of your blog! Keep it up! Oh, and the dress is kinda perfect 😉
Welcome back! Theme from “welcome back kotter” plays in background. Missed you big time.
I found you’re blog last year, and thought “maybe I can sew something too- not just nape tapes on my husbands uniform…” Off to the thrift store I went. Because of that, I have started my own website with my Mom. We’re not a total refashion site like you- but we let our craft shine in our own way. Without your inspiration I never would have ventured out that first day to find a sweater that I turned into a dress for my daughter, and I wouldn’t have had the courage to start our blog Cre8TiveTogether.com. So, thank you. And next time your sew-jo runs out, just think about it as a much needed recharge for the next phase…
Kristin
Ps- sew-sew glad you’re posting again… I missed you.
I’m glad you got your mojo back! I think all artists face blocks sometimes, passion perseveres though (thank goodness, because I really enjoy your blog 🙂 ).
Looking good! I can relate to what you’ve been going through. I don’t have to make a living with any of my creative talents, so that makes it easier, but when I’m in a slump, I just turn my attention to another outlet. I’ve been off sewing for a while, but I’ve focusing on redesigning my landscaping. I feel like it helps to clear my head and when I return to sewing, I’ll be all fresh.
Glad to see you sewing again! But no worries if you end up moving on to something else. Sometimes we need a down time before something new begins. Don’t get so wrapped up in your prior identity that you don’t continue to grow artistically, you know? There’s a lot of art to be done out there! No need to pick just one kind!
Maybe take a few classes in something fiber-ish that isn’t specifically fashion/clothing. Branch out in your fiber skills, then return to refashioning with new eyes, you know?
Or try refashioning some pasta into the perfect macaroni cheese, or a thrifted desk into the perfect sewing space, or your balcony into a summer garden, or some Girl Scouts into Refashionistas!
Hang in there! Your readers like you for *you*, whether or not you’re chopping off sleeves and ripping out shoulder pads!
It’s called burn out and we all experience it sooner or later… and don’t forget all your life changes this year. Pace yourself and gave fun with this blog. It’s not worth it if your not happy and having a certain amount if fun.
Keep up the good work!
We’ve missed you! Your refashioning but mostly your writing. Thanks for sharing your creativity again 🙂
Awesome dress!!! I love seeing your emails in my inbox. I’m glad you’re back! You inspire me.
Beautiful dress, beautiful color, beautiful YOU!!
Way to put your piss-offed ness to work for ya! This is the perfect example of letting the anger and frustration work for you, instead of against…
Well played 🙂
That dress is perfect for a fun evening with friends! It is so cute! And that color looks divine on you! Glad your back!
one of the nicest yet
Yay! I’m so happy you got your sewjo back. I’ve missed your posts a lot, and I’m always inspired by how you can see potential in even the most ugly article of clothing you can find. Good to have you back!
Yes! Way to Go! Very nice refashion too and the color looks great on you! That funky burn out happens…..So happy to get your refashion email!!!
Excellent! So glad you shared. I too forget our paths are never straight and there are times we need to step off it. good choice for working your mojo back
Thanks for sharing. You are not alone. Most of us creative types have have ‘lost it’ once or twice. I’m sharing a word that a co-worker shared with me many, many years ago. ‘Just don’t let anyone steal your joy.’ This has rescued me from many a stalemate.
Good going, girl! Glad to see you back…and still stunning as ever!
Woohoo! She’s back! 🙂
I really like the cap sleeves – Great job. I’d love to see you make an apron.
Brilliant…you are amazing! I am 46y.o. I’m American. Moved to Scotland 10 years ago. Found your blog 2-ish years ago. It is because of you that I refashion. In fact, on Thurs, 24/04, I bought a 60s print dress 4 sizes to big for me at a charity shop. Went home and immediately set to work. Then wore my new dress this evening…just on my way home now on the train after endless compliments…All of which should go directly to you. Thank you.
Thanks for being so honest -makes me love your posts even more! It’s totally normal what you are experiencing- just like writer’s block! Even though you did get your sewjo back, perhaps a break and a temporary change of scenery from refashioning would completely refresh you! A fabulous vacation maybe?
One of my favorites! Everyone goes through times when the creativity has seem to of left them. But it sure seems like you’ve found it! Awesome!! <3
Yay 🙂
Very nice, glad you’re back. I’ve missed your posts.
Absolutely beautiful! It really is stunning.
I know all too well what you went through with sewing and the immense satisfaction of pulling through.
It happens….you beat out the blahs!!!! Good for you! Keep finding joy and expression in your projects!!
Have missed your wonderful posts and your gorgeous Re-Fashions! Great to see you back and hoping you are a little happier too Karen x
You go girl! call it creative block, burnout, mild depression or menopause, it happens to all of us. I make jewelry and also sell vintage goods on eBay. After a break, forced or by choice, it feels good to get back in the groove, albeit a slow start sometimes. Creative people really never stop creating. All we need is a little push or something to inspire us to create again. Love your blog! You inspire me! Thank you! Vickie, Canton, OH
Oh my sweet little young thing! Relax about the worry you’ve lost your sewing mojo. Or your refashioning mojo. Sometimes we just need a break. So allow yourself that.
Your friends and admirers will be here for when you are energized to share your adventures and for myself, a 70 plus old granny, I will think of you and pray for your happiness and well being.
Since early girlhood I have loved sewing, refashioning, knitting, crafts and the like. In my experience which I think is pretty universal, there are times when I get fully immersed in those pursuits and other times when I come to wonder should I just get rid of all of it as it seems I’ll never care to do any of those things again. Time and time again I have found that eventually I return to these pursuits I enjoy so much.
So, my dear, ease up on yourself, relax and be kind to yourself and you will find your life unfolding…it happens pretty much like a river flows…
Your lastest remake is wonderful! Very becoming!
Maureen VanHeusen
Love love love the dress color and such cute “sleeves”! Flatters that adorable hair style 🙂
Glad you’re back ! This is one of your best refashions ever ! 🙂
Don’t be so hard on yourself. Take a moment to think about the role model you are to others. I now refashion quite simply because you inspired me to. If you only want to refashion once every six months that’s fine. Do it when you want to not because you feel you have too.
Di
Yay, welcome back!! We missed you! 🙂
Wow….this made my day. I make jewelry ….was going through the same thing today….plus…the baseball reference….. the dress is perfect. thank you.
Yea! Your dress is fabulous, so glad you are back. Missed you and your wonderful creativity and sense of humor. Breaks are necessary to the creative process but again, great to read your blog again.
So glad to see that you found a refashion left in your soul. Even more glad to see that you have found you. Go forth and reap what ye sew!
This is funny but I seriously was talking about you at the Salvation Army today. There was this dress, way too big, cute fabric etc…I was saying how I follow this blog and this awesome girl takes items like this and makes them into something fabulous! We were saying how a bit of talent and a sewing machine goes a very long way. I come home, check email and who should be there, you and your fabulous new dress. You have been missed 🙂 so great to see you fighting for the mojo. Let’s just say you had the winter blues and with spring you have sprung!
Ok, pissed off sewing worked! I LOVE IT! And that is simply a gorge color on you! Take any breaks you need, we all understand and support you!
Okay. I think I want to say something else. I love that you did this but like you I’m a commiter. When I do things I keep in doing them and sometimes I’m not sure when it how to stop. Now I’m not saying you should stop but you are allowed to stop. You can allow yourself to say I’m not doing this anymore. Or you can say do it in a different way. Realistically you blogged a refashion every day for a year and then prolifically for several years. That’s like writing ten books worth of content on the subject. Project books seem to gave about 15 to 20 projects in them. So all I really wanted to say was give yourself choices. You have already changed the way people think about fashion in significant numbers. Your blog sustains itself with readers.
You could choose a different topic or another slant. But what I think is interesting is your blog isn’t just about refashion. It’s about you. That’s why it’s popular; that’s why it works. So keep writing. Your style has impact and resonance. Try bit to ignore the breadth of your success.
Your ability to take a dowdy looking dress and turn it into something so completely adorable is astounding! I’m a musician, so I totally get what you were going through in your “slump.” There might be other times when you have this happen again, but now you know how to get through it. Brava!
A pretty dress . Missed your posts and glad your inspiration has returned . Wish I could do half of what you can and you make it look so simple .
This is one of my faves! It looks wonderful! Sometimes it just takes one little thing to push you over the edge and get you going again!
Props on getting your mojo back. I love your blog 🙂
Love the dress, especially the shoulders!!!! You found your sewjo!!!
Yay, I’ve missed you!
Love this dress!! Every single thing about it!!! Glad to see you back.
I missed you. But I knew you’d be back. You were worth waiting for!!!
This is your prettiest creation yet xxx.
Love what you did to the shoulders;) cute!
You go, girl!
Sometimes you just need a back to come back better than ever. Don’t see a block as a bad thing, it is actually a time of maturing and better inspiration comes afterward.
Your blog inspires untold creative masterpieces…in my case, nothing sewed, but wearable nonetheless.
I’ve never posted a comment on your blog, but I’ve been an avid reader for some time now. YOU are the one who inspired me to start some little refashions on my own and this blog is the place I come to on almost a daily basis to see what awesome things you might have come up with. Thank you for doing what you do. I am SO glad you got your “sewjo” back 🙂 <3
Wow, if getting your sewjo back like this causes you to create freakin’ awesome dresses like this one that is so unreal that I literally want to rip it out of your hands and steal it for myself, well then please, continue!
Glad to see you…you’ve been missed. However, everybody needs some down time. Love the dress!!!
I look for ur posts daily and do miss them when u don’t post. Thanks to you, I have started to learn to sew. Simple things, like ruffles for Capri pants for my grand daughter, but to me, that is a huge accomplishment and I only have you to thank. My husband & I, get this, have a canvas sewing business and I never never wanted to learn to sew…..until I saw your blog. Our employees are veteran seamstresses , and I was to embarrassed to ask them to help me thread a bobbin. Of course, when they saw that I bought a simple sewing machine, they were amused and offered to help me learn. I declined their teaching lessons because I had YOU to help me. Please keep posting because your followers need and want to see your great refashions!
Brilliant! I’m glad you got your sewjo mojo back.
Happens to everyone – glad you are back! If it happens again, your faithful readers will be here waiting for you 🙂
So happy to have you back! I don’t sew AT ALL, and your posts always give me hope that I might someday be able to. I think you are brilliant. Being constantly creative is mentally exhausting, and I’m so glad you are in the zone again!
Wow, look at all this love! I’ve missed you too, great post!
Yay I’m so glad you got your mojo back!
…Is there any chance I could have those sleeves?
not kidding I am in love with that fabric and would love to put it in a quilt.
please??
I’m so glad the mojo is back. I was very happy to have that email in my inbox that there was a new post! You totally rock in that color 🙂
I do many types of art and I think it is normal to have a slump. Love the dress.
I’m so glad you’re back. I’ve really missed your posts.
You SO still do that! So glad you are back!
This post DEFinitely goes in the book!
It sounds more like burnout to me. I say take time off and dont’ stress yourself. I have you on my blog roll. When you are ready to sew, I’ll be ready to read. 🙂
Bravo!
Yayyy! Good for you! I was so thrilled to see you had posted something new today!
Ok I have a personal challenge for you/ me and several people I know bought 3-6 of these cotton kimono style dresses last summer from walmart for 7$. Cute easy comfortable…however I’m so tired of looking at them/ how could I reinvent them and not look silly?! Can u please help me take these summer lines legnth dresses to tops or vests or something ….
I laughed, I cried — this was a real emotional roller-coaster of a refash! 🙂 Loved it!
Good for you!!! Back with a vengeance!!! 🙂
so hope you get your mojo back, I miss your fashion re-dos! good luck and I’m sure you will and in the mean time I hope you feel better!
Good on you, lovely … Good on you!
Oh my gosh, you make shoulder pads look good! Kudos on getting out of your rut, I’m still struggling with mine. Missed your posts!
Yay! Glad your back 🙂
Yay for the return of your sewjo! This refash is really, really beautiful on you. It looks really elegant and has so many cute details — the sleeves and the front buttons looks so cute now.
This is such an empowering refashion Jillian! You do inspire us! Your posts are so well written and pack so much feeling. You make me laugh and have made me tear up! But today I roared with laughter when you got angry. Sometimes that’s what we need to “run at it” instead of from it! You are stronger than you give yourself credit. Keep on!
RE FAB U LOUS!!!!!!!!! GLAD YOU ARE BACK.
So glad you got your mojo back!! You are refashionista and an inspiration to us all 🙂
Great job love you clothes.
and what a lovely dress to come back with. Relax and go sewjo some mojo
I’m so happy to see you back again!
So great that you are back! I really missed reading your blog. I missed the reading more than the refashioning to tell the truth! It’s fun to read even if you don’t have a fantastic new creation to show us. That said I want to tell you that you have made me look at “old rags” differently. So you have certainly changed the way I think of fashion!
Hmmm … but then, one beautiful, perfectly refashioned dress doesn’t prove anything, does it?
*waiting for you to creatively shred me to bits for “does it?” 🙂
W.O.W. yes you have it! You are a inspiration to old grandma’s like me. I love your refashions.
Creativity is hard when we feel stressed or depressed. I’ve been through that and just have to ride out the tough days. Then suddenly a day comes when I feel OK and the thing I could no way face is suddenly easy again. For me it is up and down, bad days and good days. You’ve been through some stress lately so don’t beat yourself up for the times your creativity is hiding, but I’m glad to see it has returned, so you know that if at any time in future it hides again not to panic because you know it can come back. I find that helps me, I hope it helps you too.
ditto Anna’s comment at 2.15. I only discovered your blog this week and shared with several friends who have been equally inspired by you. Sewing is like everything else – you get into a rut and have bad days but the main thing is not to be too hard on yourself, you are extremely creative and that will always pull you through, eventually!
love the dress …glad you got you sewjo back …really enjoy your blog wish I was as creative as you.My favorite thing is repurpose and reuse..
I can’t tell you how I look forward to seeing what you’ve done – it’s like a gift in my mailbox. I was sad to hear that you felt uninspired but honored that you would share your private feelings with us. I struggle with my creativity, I go from media to media – some days I just can’t sit down and do what I think I want to do – and that is the problem for me, I think, when my head gets in the way of my heart. Your blogging and photos and fashion are wonderful!
Continue to do that, I love it!
I met your blog a few weeks before and it really inspire me! Congrats for your job, it’s very nice!
Loved this post, thanks for such honesty (oh, and a really fab dress)!
Great job! I was actually thinking about where you’d gone and when I started reading this post I was afraid you were going to say you were done. Gasp! I was trying to think up some great advice to help but I see that anger is a good motivator. :).
But I did think that maybe another way to restart the flow of creativity would be to do the refashions for someone else. For instance, you’re a tiny little thing and can always take things in bit what if you had to make them bigger… You know just thinking from another angle.
Yeah you!!!!! I was getting worried about no posts and BAM! There you are again and I love this dress!!!! I’ve never been more thankful for an LOL being said – I’m glad it was the straw on the camel’s back whatever you want to call it…..You inspire me beyond words thank you!!!!
Wahoo! Well done for getting back on the wagon. This is an awesome refashion.
You rocked it again Ms. refashionista and btw you are in the process of changing how ppl look at fashion and that’s no easy task so pat yourself on the back and remember to take breaks from it once in a while. On that note I will push myself to go to the gym after a 2 week mental block- so thank YOU for always inspiring.
You were difinately getting in your own way, you just needed a little push
YAY!! I’m so happy for you! It’s great to see you at it again!
Glad to have you back! Love having a south Carolinian in my blog feed. I also love the epaulet-esque way the new armholes turned out. Such a nice detail! Happy Spring 🙂
THAT is a fabulous refashion! Isn’t anger a useful emotion when used properly? If it weren’t for anger, I may never get my house cleaned :-0
Try not to put too much thought into your dry spell, as life has changed pretty dramatically for you in the career sense as of late. That can take a lot of mental energy and we only have so much to give, until our brain re-adjusts to the new situation. You will be fine, better than fine, in no time at all. CHEERS!
I thought that I had been unsubscribed but it was a case of sewers block. Happens to the best of us. Well done and welcome back!
I am so happy to see you got your mojo back & HOLY COW! That dress is BEAUTIFUL and AMAZING!
A perfect example of how anger can be useful! Great job! I love this dress and this length looks great on you.
Imagination. I see your work and think, I can do that. Then I get into the thrift store and I can’t get past something in the original. You can see that, even when you don’t know what it is. You know it will show itself. I will keep trying, especially since I am pregnant and refuse to pay big bucks for new clothes.
So glad to see you back!!! I get so excited when I see an email from you!! And what a comeback you have made!! This little number is a perfect redo!!! Love the belt too!
Love this dress. I look forward to the next
…you go girl! On to the next!
Great work! Love it! And, I totally understand that feeling. I’ve been struggling with that myself. Thanks for the inspiration.
I’m really, really feeling this dress makeover. I really like the outcome of this.
It’s okay to have a slump. I believe that slumps help us to re-evaluate where we’re going in this crazy journey called life.
I’m glad that you’re back, though. Personally, you are on my list of “inspirations” for how to enjoy life simply, elegantly and selflessly. When I decided to do refashioning as a lifestyle choice due to a number of factors (ways to save money to reach my long term life goals quicker, seeing the economic inequities of fast fashion first-hand through access to factories and companies that I wouldn’t have access to if I didn’t own a jewelry company, reducing the waste generated from fast fashion, and getting better quality fashions that suit my taste without having to shelling out hundreds or thousands of dollars), I search through the Internet to look for inspirations and ideas. I found your blog, and I was hooked. I like your writing style (“whirrr…..” still has me in stitches!), I like your compassion for others, and I like how you think outside of the box.
I’m glad that you didn’t fall into the 50% who don’t recover from the slump. I believe that there are a billion other ideas waiting to come from you, and I’ll keep checking regularly to see them.
Oh I love this one! Proud of you for getting back on there!
I just wanted to say “good for you!” Really! I am impressed at your positive attitude through this blah period. But I also have to say- you could turn everything into pillows or purses or quilts and I’d still read because I am a fan of ‘you’ 🙂 (hope that didn’t sound creepy! Lol!)
Yea for you and all those who say “f*ck that” in the face of adversity! Love it!! Inspiring! You go girl!! Carry on!!
You are smart, creative, funny, sassy & beautiful. Whatever you do (and whenever you do it), you will always be that!
This is by far the best story telling you’ve ever done. Creative drought, I think not!
I’ve never commented on here before, but I feel like this post warrents a comment. I was so happy to see the little notification in my inbox that you had posted a new refashion! You’ve inspired me to be more aware of what I buy, and become more creative with what I wear. I know for a fact that you’re a huge inspiration for all of us, and I’m so glad that you got your “sewjo” back. I missed seeing what new things you had thought up for us all to see!
It seems like you’ve been suffering from depression since your breakup. It doesn’t go away by itself. Activity is an effective treatment. Fake it till you make it, emotionally and refash-wise
Yay!! Let me add my voice to those cheering you. Thank you for sharing all that you do. I’m glad that you re-claimed this part of your identity. The dress looks great on you. Triumph over slump!! Yippee!
FAB! Glad to see you got your mojo back. I miss you and look for you every day. But sometimes changes are good. You can say “No, I don’t do that anymore!” If you want to move on to something else, jewelry making, reading, walking, drawing, OMG there is so much to do, I better get off the computer. Love, Grandma
YAY! I’m usually just a lurker, but as a creative person myself (not sewing), I know how it gets. Everyone in my field says to just DO IT, even if you don’t feel like it. Even if you do something crappy, you can get back into the game. Glad you found some inspiration, and I hope it keeps up!
Hi! Looks like everything I was gonna say has already been said (about loving your work, being glad you’re back, etc.) – but what made me laugh was the recognition of that ‘WHAT? LOL?!’ moment, spurring you on! Sometimes those throwaway comments are the BEST kick up the ass… let’s hope you get plenty more to fuel your refashioning fire 🙂
Yay you’re back! Missed you!
Every now and then you just have to get really pi*sed off and do it. Congratulations!
I figured that you have stabbed the dress a few times. Just kidding not LOL.
I’m glad you are back!
Pretty amazing story that a lot of people including me can understand but never admit. YOU KICK BUTT! So proud of you and it will all happen again in your own time, keep smiling and know we will always love you, refashion or not!
So glad you’re back! The dress is beautiful!
Yay! I missed you so! Glad your back
I lost my sewing mojo 6 months ago, so I can totally sympathize with what you are feeling. You are on the “mend” so don’t stress too hard. You are an inspiration for so many. Sit back for awhile and let your fans inspire you.
So happy that you are back! Sometimes it takes a “little push” from your friends to get you back on track!
Absolutely gorgeous job! Really inspiring– this dress looks amazing on you now!
I’m so glad your back, sometimes you just need a break! Keep on refashioning!
I missed you. It’s so good to see another one of your beautiful creations! Since I have been living vicariously through your refashions for a couple of years, I had no choice during your absence but to do what I had been postponing out of fear… I did my own no-sew refashion! I took a straight dress that didn’t fit me correctly, chopped off the top under the sleeves, flipped in the new waist, and wore it as a pencil skirt. I got lots of complements on it, but kept my no-sew secret to myself. I never would have had the inspiration, confidence, and knowledge of how to do that without you and your blog. I love the new skirt so much that I plan on sewing down the new waist! Thanks for inspiring me and teaching me to think differently about fashion!
Yay! You go girl! It tis a fabulous refashion and I love the sleeves! 🙂
Glad to have you back. You have completely changed the way this 61 year old woman looks at clothes and I now tweak my Goodwill finds all the time and have re-done stuff I’ve had for years, but never been quite happy with. Thank you! I pray for you at times (no offense meant in any way–just part of my life) as I know you’ve been sad. Thanks again for the inspiration you’ve been to me.
You already have 148 comments so I hope that shows how appreciative we as your FANS are of the efforts you have been making day after day, year after year, to entertain and inspire us. (I am going to assume, because you are a woman, that accepting compliments is not perfectly simple for you, hence caps.)
Truthfully, please know a total stranger on the other side of the world is delighted that your Mojo is risin. I hope this enthusiasm and vigor will signal a return of your regular emails and segments. I love vicarious bargain finds!
As well as enjoying and marveling at the total transformation your thrift store finds ‘experience,’ I love your blog because I love seeing the gallery openings and film fests you sew/ refashion for. And, if I prayed, I would pray for you to find a really amazing and deserving bloke to escort you.
But take care of yourself — it is pretty brave to share your creative life –and so much of your private self– with the nosy, opinionated world.
Be well. Keep sewing. That pink ‘silk’/taffeta? never knew it could have such a wonderful rejuvenation. You are truly finding the swan in every ugly duckling.
I’ve missed your updates so much!! Hang in there girl, you are so creative and I love your blog!!
Dang girl! That is SUPER cute! Hurray for getting your mojo back!
Welcome back! I had been missing seeing you. You had inspired me to pull out my machine and get back into sewing. Thanks to your inspiration, I have had a lot of fun refashioning. Thank you and I look forward to your next creation.
Even all the way from Australia, I am glad your back into it, hopefully for a long time, I look forward to your inspiring refashions. They are great to see. I love sewing and making new from old, but don’t seem to get a lot of time to do it, but every time I see one of yours it encourages me to put my sewing a bit further up the list.
Thanks for putting yourself out there.
🙂 x
I am so glad you were able to get out of your funk! You are very inspiring to us all. Oh lord, I hope I didn’t just put more pressure on you! 🙂
Well done you! It is great when your mojo returns but unless you actually do something (sew, paint, draw or whatever your thing is) the mojo remains elusive.
Happy to see you back! I missed you! Hugs from Sweden 🙂
Hooray! I’ve been missing you. thanks for sharing that you’re human too.
I found your blog at a point in my life where I didn’t have even enough mojo to sleep at night. I read the whole thing back to back in one night on my sofa. And I haven’t left since. The blog, not my sofa, I leave the sofa now. 😉
I’m SO glad you got your mojo back! I LOVE your posts.
Yay!!! you are back!!!! I really missed your posts and inspiring ideas…though I’m still in search of my “sewjo-mojo” as you say it, I read every single one of your posts and try to push me for a better and inspiring “tomorrow”!
Hope to read more of you from now on 😉
Gabi xoxo
I’m really happy that Your mojo is back, but whenever You will hit the mojo bottom please remember: do not get sad because You lost some or all of it, it will always come back.
I love cross stitch and my favorite pieces to stich are huge (like 1 x 1,5 meters) and every takes a few years to complete. It is imposible to stay fully motivated all the time and stitch every day. I know that i would finish every piece much faster if I stitched at least an hour a day, but I know it is not possible, because I just don’t feel like stitching every day. So when it happens I leave my stitching work for a few days, sometimes even a month. But after that time I miss it so much, that I stitch all day.
So whenever You feel it is not a good day to refashion something, just leave it. And come back after few hours or even days. It is Your hobby, it is something that makes You happy, not miserable. If You don’t feel like refashioning, no problem, You will miss it after some time. And we will be here, waiting for another great refashion 🙂
It’s great to see you back! Your dress refashion is everything. Love it. Sometimes we need a solid push from a friend to get us back on the right track. Congrats on getting your SewJo back.
She’s Baa-aack!! So glad you’ve come thru to the ‘other side’!!
I was worried when I hadn’t received a post from you in awhile and thought maybe my emails weren’t coming through. After reading your post, I understand what your going through and now think that maybe I have the same thing. I haven’t touched my machine in months and my sewing pile is getting bigger by the week. Glad your back and thanks for all the amazing refashions you do, I love it! Keep on sewing 😉
It’s amazing how clarifying anger can be sometimes. It gives you a focus unlike any other. For years _years_ I tell ya, my dad would trick me into being confident by making me angry. I was probably into my late teens before I figured out what an evil genius he was. Love the dress! That material is probably my favorite to work with, it’s slippery as hell but totally worth the effort.
Those shoulders kick butt, and that color combo looks mahvelous on your pretty face. Well done, girl!
To hop on the baseball metaphor train– you KNOCKED this one outta the park! Gorgeous! Welcome back! 🙂
I’m glad you got you voodoo back!!! I missed you!!!
Good on you!! This may be my favorite refashion of yours to date…I am sure it will always be special to you knowing the significance behind it. 😀 I am rooting for you and wishing you all the best!
SOOOO glad that you are back!!! and don’t be hard on yourself!! Your poses are awesome…they literally make me laugh out loud…which is something that I need from time to time.
This is one of your best refashes!! I love this dress and it looks perfect on you.
Love it! Thanks for your candor – you really are an inspiration to all of us who suffer from “slumps” in our mojo. 🙂
I haven’t commented before, but this post made me cry. I love your blog. Glad you’re back.
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