Repeated Patterns

Well, here we go again.  I loved my first version of Vogue 8685 so much, I decided to make another.

The only changes that I made for this version were to shorten the sleeves and add length to the skirt.  Because the below the knee skirt pieces are 60" wide at the hem, I had to take a little bit of width out of them when I extended the length by 2.5".  I am slowly becoming accustomed to my serger and knit fabrics, although I am not sure I will ever prefer knits to wovens.  This rayon blend ponte was also very easy to work with, so that helps with the process.

But what I wanted to talk about today is using the same pattern multiple times.  Perhaps it is my guilt over not using the many, many other pattern options in my stash, but I suspect my issue with repeat pattern usage is for another reason entirely.

I started my sewing journey with hand embroidery, mostly counted cross stitch when I was probably four or five years old.  I didn't begin using a machine and making clothing until high school (and to this day, I prefer the control of a hand stitch to a machine one), so when I went to college I had very few pieces of hand made clothing in my wardrobe and only a few patterns in my possession.  Two of my early projects included two cotton sundresses from the same pattern, although they were made from different fabrics and had different style straps.

My college theatre department employed an incredibly talented but rather tough taskmaster who was the costume designer for the theatre and also taught a few classes related to her craft.  I vividly remember one day when I arrived at her costume history class in one of my cotton dresses; she made an offhanded comment asking if I knew how to sew any other pattern (she had previously seen the other "matching" dress).  She knew I had some sewing skills as I also worked for her in the costume department, and the words stung.

Now, looking back on the moment, I see how ridiculous it was that I took a flippant remark so personally.  But the comment has stuck with me all these years.  And I still feel as though I am cheating or being lazy by not trying something new.

But why not take advantage of a great pattern and get the most mileage out of it that you can?  In the last few years, I am getting more on board with using patterns over and over.  Maybe swap out a sleeve, or simply change the length of a hem; then again, why not make two or three of the same skirt.  A different type of fabric, or even a different print is probably enough to make most people think you have two entirely different garments in your wardrobe.  And some of the most chic people I can think of wear what is basically a uniform.  When you find a style of silhouette that works for you, why not use it to your advantage?!

All this to say, I am still working on getting Kristine's voice out of my head when I use the same pattern for a second or third time.  My impressionable mind gave her words a little too much weight.  And she did entrust me with a number of complicated projects over the two years I spent working for her, so her comment probably had more to do with her rather sharp tongue than any deficiency in my abilities she may have seen.

When I started sewing apparel a couple of years prior, another woman told me to avoid zippers at all costs because they were horrible to install.  That same lady didn't shy away from set-in sleeves on my very first dress project, so go figure.  And I should say, I have never been afraid of setting in a sleeve, but it took me years to get over the fear of installing a zipper.  It's funny the things that make an impression . . . sometimes for no real reason at all.

What do you think?  Do you have any sewing hangups that you attribute to some random comment you heard when you were starting out?  I have heard my fair share of stories, usually something about sleeves, or buttonholes, or zippers.  So silly, right?!  Just start at the beginning and work your way through.  Although, I have probably scared some people away from polyester.  I have strong words for synthetic fabrics, and I am not afraid to let people know what I think of the fiber.  Maybe I should take it easy on the synthetics.  But then again, maybe not!