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3 Reasons Why Sewing Increases your Self Esteem

May 15, 2018

I’m a firm believer in self care.

Whether it’d be meditation, taking care of your health, spending time with friends, or even simple pampering. Sewing, though, is on another level and I can’t recommend it enough for strengthening those self care muscles. To me, sewing increases self esteem.

Sewing Improves your Self Esteem. Learn my top 3 reasons why. | Vintage on Tap

In this post, I’ll be outlining how sewing has helped me when I’m feeling blue, and helped me through those tough times.

Of course, if needed please consult your medical professionals. This post discusses the small daily things that might have given me a positive boost and might be helpful for you!

Sewing Improves your Self Esteem- blog post for my top 3 reasons why! | Vintage on Tap

Sewing Improves Your Self Esteem | Vintage on Tap

It’s extremely easy to fall into a negative self esteem rut.

Whether it’s by feeling out of place in your own skin, life is just a pain in the butt, or even just the simple feeling of… blah. (Seriously, even just “blah.”)

In 2017 I went on a snowball journey of depression, and then the compounding effects of…

  1. Negative self image when trying on clothes at the store (and feeling out of place in my own body)
  2. Finding the same fitting problems over and over again (again, feeling like crap about myself at any opportunity)
  3. Having the feeling that I couldn’t control my self image

Eventually I found my way back to sewing, reminding myself of what I loved about it- and what it brought into my life that filled my heart with joy. I knew that by going back to it and with time, sewing would increase my self esteem.

Sewing Improves Self Esteem by allowing you to view your measurements in an objective way | Vintage on Tap

Sewing allows you to observe your measurements in an actionable way | Vintage on Tap

The first reason sewing increases self esteem is by allowing you to observe your measurements in an actionable way.

When you’re feeling down, observing your body and measurements is hard. But as I’ve spoken about in a previous vlog, your measurements are points of information- and information is power. (Click to Watch: Weight-loss and Sewing Self Esteem)

By knowing your measurements and writing them down, you’re able to positively focus your attention on the action of pattern drafting.

When you take physical action on them- whether its learning how to mold a piece of fabric or picking out the right amount of fabric to buy- you’re able to emotionally “remove” yourself from the closeness of The Numbers.

The Measurements - Viewing your Measurements in an Objective Way | Vintage on Tap

The numbers can be terrifying- and in 2017, they grew like crazy. But, learning new skills through sewing made those numbers a little less scary- a little less upsetting. I felt like I could harness them into something beautiful through sewing.

Sewing a Pinup Bathing Suit, McCalls 7168 | @vintageontap

The most perfect example, was when I sewed a two piece bathing suit for the first time, shame about my measurements: be damned! (Click to Watch: Sewing a Bathing Suit video tutorial)

Sewing helps you through difficult times | Vintage on Tap

The second reason sewing increases self esteem is that it focuses your attention when the going gets tough.

Sewing gives you a goal to work towards as a distraction when life may be chaotic, focusing on bringing together both creativity and engineering. Cutting fabric, sculpting a dart, hand sewing a hem- all of those skills require intense focus and attention, and can sometimes be a welcome relief to life.

Sewing vintage, 1950s inspired Colette Patterns Penny dress | Vintage on Tap

An example of this was when I made a linen version of a shirt dress, totally off season, but because I emotionally needed to. (Click to Watch: Colette Penny Shirtdress Sewing Tutorial)

The fabric for this dress sat on my sewing table for months. Literally- months. But when I knew I was feeling helpless, without focus, listless, BLAH– I picked up the fabric, and got to work. Five minutes, ten minutes, thirty minutes a day until it was done.

Sewing that dress gave me something to commit to daily, until I got back into a regular routine and back into the flow of living.

Making something for yourself instills pride | Vintage on Tap

The third reason I believe sewing increases self esteem, is that when you complete a garment, it instills pride.

Whether or not the project turns out perfectly, investing time and energy into something you make yourself gives you a sense of pride… because You Made It.

How to sew vintage, tutorials and tips for handmade clothing | Vintage on Tap

Being able to go through the beginning, middle, and end of a project gives you the Very Real Feeling of… Look how far I’ve come.

It’s an extremely powerful experience to be able to see that you’re making progress, on something, ANYTHING, when you’re not feeling your best.

While we’re not all powerful, and can’t control our entire lives, creative projects we spend our time on is something we can hold close to our heart. Being able to run your hand over all the handmade garments in your closet, hung up in a row, gives the sense that there is progression and movement.

This applies even when a project doesn’t work out.

Butterick B5814, Cocktail Dress, sunny day on the rooftop of the Fairmont in San Francisco | @vintageontap

A perfect example of this was a cocktail dress I made years ago, which brought me nothing but blood, sweat, and tears! (Click to Watch: Cocktail Dress tutorial video) I worked on it for days, and sat behind my sewing machine crying more than once. In the end, even though it didn’t work out, I still felt pride that I had FINISHED.

That finish line was everything.

Sewing increased my self esteem through the journey- because the feeling of completion made me feel like my time, effort, and energy was worth it. And I learned so much- nothing was lost.

Sewing Improves Self Esteem | Vintage on Tap

Finding little “hacks” to positively look at yourself, even if you’re initially faking it, goes a long way in improving your happiness.

Of course, if you’re in the need of help from friends, family, spiritual leaders, or from the medical establishment, definitely do that as well. But for those little Pick-Me-Ups, sewing has helped me immensely.

Sewing Can Improve your Self Esteem, create projects you love | Vintage on Tap

Please let me know in the comments how sewing has improved your self esteem.

You can also tag me on Instagram, @vintageontap with photos of the garments you’ve made that really boosted your self esteem and let me know what about them really helped. I’ll be sharing some of your responses on my Instagram Stories.

Vintage on Tap Instagram page | Vintage on Tap

If you’re brand new to sewing, please check out the Start Here page for similar videos on why I think sewing is amazing!

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3 Reasons Sewing Improves your Self Esteem | Vintage on Tap


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Filed Under: Self Esteem, Vlog Tagged With: self love, sewing love, Sewing Self Esteem

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cece says

    July 6, 2018 at 6:38 pm

    Thank you for this post. I’m at currently going through depression which has been a lifelong battle. I’m feeling poorly about my body as usual and also have the Penny dress ready to cut out and fabric sitting for months. I have lost all my motivation and drive. But I enjoyed reading the post and not feeling as if no one understands.

    Reply
    • Bianca says

      July 18, 2018 at 3:30 pm

      Hi Cece- I’m hoping today has been a fantastic day for you. Sending lots of love from San Francisco 💖

      Reply
  2. Mariela alethia says

    May 16, 2018 at 2:04 am

    Wow! this was a therapeutic post. Sewing is my refuge, is where I go to zone out, think and just my happy place.

    Sometimes sewing test me, especially when the project I am working on does not work out well. Sometimes sewing does not boost my self esteem, it makes me question my sewing skills.

    Sometimes when I gain a weight, that reality makes me run from the sewing because I don’t want to see my measurements. That same reality force me to get back to healthy and sewing and I became friends again.

    Realizing how much sewing stuff I own ( patterns, books and fabrics) paralyzed me and did not bring me joy because I don’t sew consistently until, I came up with a plan to decrease my sewing stuff. So, interesting and therapeutic post.

    Reply
    • Bianca says

      June 28, 2018 at 10:35 am

      I totally understand about the analysis paralysis by owning so many sewing goods– I’ve definitely had my own version of that not long ago, and it turned me off from sewing, even with a blog!

      But finding joy in it again is its own journey and its own adventure, and a familiar happy path.

      Reply

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My name is Bianca, I'm 34 years old, and a California girl through and through 🏖

I inspire people to sew, to feel comfortable and confident in their bodies, and am an avid lover of tiki culture and Vintage Style Not Vintage Values!

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