Sarai Mitnick - The Colette Sewing Handbook: Inspired Styles and Classic Techniques for the New Seamstress

I like to sew in the evenings. Since Im a pattern designer by trade, Im surrounded by sewing all day long in my studio as I work on new designs, make up samples or write about sewing for my website. Even so, there are few things I find more relaxing then packing up work for the day, making a cup of tea and working on some personal sewing projects before heading home for dinner. Its my favorite way to unwind.

One evening, I had a bit of hand sewing to do. Since I was planning a trip to Argentina, I thought it might be fun to download some Spanish lessons and try them out while I set to work with needle and thread. The first lesson began slowly, covering basic words and greetings that were familiar to me, but also explaining some of the nuances of pronunciation and culture. The pace was relaxed, but it gave me an opportunity to learn some subtleties of the language. In short, they were excellent.

The Spanish instructor mentioned that the lessons were gradual for a reason, so that you should feel relaxed while doing them. He pointed out that a relaxed state is truly the best way to learn a language.

This same wisdom applies to sewing. Learning to sew clothing and learning a new language are both complex skills that take time to develop. They also both involve slowly building up from a foundation of very simple, basic ideas. It is those basic ideas that take you the farthest, because they are the ones you use every day as you build your skills. They are the ones you return to, even when your skill set becomes more advanced.

Just as there are many ways to learn a language, there are also many ways to learn to sew. In this book, Id like to help you build up and reinforce that foundation of skills. My goal is simple: that you feel good about what youre making and love the experience of sewing.

The Colette Sewing Handbook is intended as a resource for any adventurous, beginning sewer who wants to branch out, as well as intermediate sewers whod like to brush up their skills with a new, more thoughtful approach.

Theres only one trait I think every sewer should possess: curiosity. Learning to sew is an ongoing process; in fact, the learning never really stops. Each project has the potential to teach you something new. Even seamstresses who have been sewing for thirty years or more will tell you that they learn new things all the time. Let your curiosity guide you, and this will be a source of wonder rather than discouragement. A curious person who likes to learn will never get bored with sewing!

Of course, there are other characteristics that are helpful to a sewer. You dont need to be a naturally patient person, although Im sure it helps. I wouldnt know, Im highly impulsive and impatient by nature. When I get an idea in my head, I want it done now. But sewing has actually taught me patience, how to slow down and do things the right way, and that its much easier (and more rewarding) to learn to do something right than to fix a mistake over and over. Let your curiosity battle your impatience. Instead of asking How can I get this done faster?, ask How can I learn to do this better?

Attention to detail is another helpful characteristic to have, and one that can be learned. The more you sew, and the more you think about clothing, the more you will notice. Soon the details will become part of your sewing vocabulary.