Today I went thru all my KZread subscriptions. I was "cleaning out" those I didn't watch anymore. I came to yours and decided you had so many good ideas I wanted to stay subscribed. After listening to this I am so glad I did! I've been feeling such a failure because everything I knit or sewed just wouldn't fit right. After knitting two cardigans this winter I have figured out the problem. I'm ready to attack the problem now instead of feeling like giving up. Thank you!

@CatherineSews

Жыл бұрын

So great to hear, Kathy! Thank you!

Hi Catherine, really enjoyed your creative discussion. I am also one who goes to bed with an idea and before I sleep I let my mind wander. The wandering is about ideas. It’s amazing how this starts a creative process. I wake early and again let my mind get creative. Before I know it some idea takes shape and I can’t wait to get up and get going with it. I agree that we need little signs in our sewing room, “a speed bump is Not a stop sign”. 😊 As I have I have aged, I have become so much more patient and process oriented. I now keep little piles of clothing that need to be deconstructed in places where I sit to rest. Unpicking is no longer a necessary evil to be dreaded. Now it is a process that slows me down and allows me to imagine what I might be able to make with the pieces. Thank you so much for your review of the steps. Your upcycled blouse is just so adorable. That video has me ready to start looking in my closets for projects.😊

@CatherineSews

Жыл бұрын

What a lovely comment, Judith. It’s like I was talking to you in the video and you just carried the conversation forward. I love it!

Your up cycling videos are some of my favorites. I adore watching your creative process. ♥️

@CatherineSews

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much, Mary! So sweet to hear!

I’m a design thinking, innovation practitioner who also loves to sew and up cycle. What a treat to see you so beautifully use the creative problem solving process to explain your approach. Well done and thanks for making my two passions collide. 😊

I loved how you explained your creative process. I think the most valuable take-away for me is to just get into it after the initial planning. Have everything set and ready to go. I love to watch others, and have lots of ideas, but am often afraid to start cutting. Like I might "ruin" the garment I want to upcycle. Silly, I know, but I don't think I'm alone in this.

@chiara71

Жыл бұрын

You're nit alone....I cam really relate to that!

Yay!! I bought a huge pair of black pants with white polka dots (I love polka dots) at the thrift store. After watching about TWENTY upcycling videos, I sewed 2 straights lines up the outer seams and… TADAH!! I have pants that fit and look GREAT!! Thanks for the encouragement and ALL of the examples!🤓. (I tried a short too-white with black polka dots btw- but that was MUCH HARDER!) Now I’m like a maniac… digging through my husband’s closet… hoping for ‘throw-aways’ and forgotten old clothes!🥰 I looked for sewing lessons too, but haven’t found any…YET!

In the creative process, it is important to collect images in your mind to draw from. As you mentioned, looking at current fashions is one way to do it. I call this process LOADING THE HUMP. Just as a camel stores water for the future, to become or be more creative, continuously 'load your hump' with images. Then they will cook on your back burner (so to speak) and when you are ready to create, you will have the fuel to do so! Sorry for the mixed metaphors, but hopefully you get what I mean! Very important!

@CatherineSews

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Michael. I like your mixed metaphors, lol. They're the sign of a creative mind!

Evaluation is so important! And always, even if it's just a lesson learned, something good comes from the effort. And using the brain in this way helps keep it strong

You have a gentle way of changing attitudes related to fast fashion. As a sewist of several decades, your philosophy of re-designing to make a garment from a few blends creativity, usefulness and at times memories.

Thanks Catherine for sharing your creative ideas. It is amazing how some people-who may not be creative but will see an example others have made and it will spark their 8:29 own enthusiasm to try something new. It’s surprising how many women will say like-‘Oh I love that shirt/blouse!!!-but I don’t like the long sleeves!’ -and it never occurs to them they could just shorten sleeves to any length they like and even a hand sew a hem if they don’t have a sewing machine? Even use the cuffs to fashion a button tab for a roll up affect if desired! Keep your ideas coming-& Thanks!🤗

Thanks for your videos and inspirations. I turned 2, t-shirts into a night shirt.

@CatherineSews

Жыл бұрын

What a great idea! I love that! 😀

Our brains work so powerfully subconsciously. The critical conscious mind doesn't allow it to think so well. As the mind works this way, rest is an integral part of that successful processing. Always keep pen/paper by the bed. Also the shower and blow drying my hair have witnessed many a "ah ha" moments.

I make children and baby quilts, but you are opening up my sewing skills.

Had a pair of black trousers in my drawer for over 2 years, I bought them new ... they were a bargain but too long. Shortened them but then thought they were too wide in the leg ...Been meaning to take them in but never got around to it. Next week I will ... thanks for the inspiration Catherine 🤩🤩🤩.

How sweetest speech you have to search the way of easy sewing solutions. Thanks you so much for sharing this with us. Love, Marta ❤

I find it helpful to read a pattern through before going to bed.

Just discovered your channel and have been binge watching. Really great advice in this video. I’d love to see how you would extend a crop top in length. Haven’t seen anything great on KZread.

@CatherineSews

Жыл бұрын

That’s my favourite kind of comment! 🤣 I like your video idea. I’ll give that some thought!

I would appreciate tips and examples of trims, embellishments and other things to add-ons. Examples for accentuating or hiding a specific type of body or problem. I have lots of solid color, bland clothes needing something to bring them to life. Also, how about tricks to cover a flaw, stain or hole? Love your work & Thanks.

Speed bumps in the creative process just gets me more focused on problem solving. Digging n my heels, so to speak. Usually the speed bump is me not fully understanding all the ramifications and quirks of a project. Thanks for sharing.

I love reusing & I think the getting organized keeps me from sewing more! Great ideas to move forward & use one’s creativity! Thanks for sharing! Blessings to all 🤗💜

Great video. I especially liked the reminder that if something doesn't work out, you have still LEARNED something from the process. Unfortunately I often get too hung up on the product instead of the process. I still think that you are very creative!

Nice to see you wearing your lovely blouse 🙂

Saw a great quote today from Jim Rohn 'Start from wherever you are and with whatever you've got'. I think this fits nicely with your creative process.

This is so helpful! Always need a reminder that it’s about the process, not a “successful” project.

These principles apply to the rest of life! I do the same thing. Thanks for reminders!

Thank you for sharing your process ❤ and I find I "sleep" on it too, and wake up with ideas for lots of things...right now my craft room is a disaster and my mind has shut down, so, that may be where I need to finish sorting the stacks, bags, bins of yarn, mending and make over projects, so I can get to the stupid sewing machine....😢😢😢

Thank you so much for this video! This helped me so much. I love how you are taking the positive out of every project!

@kriskeuler4455

Жыл бұрын

I agree 100%, ❤that you took use through your process ❤❤❤ Excellent tutorial, very helpful ❤❤❤thanks a million 🥰

Great video Catherine. It reminds me of my aunt who was a great seamstress and would go 4 times a year to Paris for « window shopping » and create her own patterns. She was really gifted. Bless her. 👍😎🐕‍🦺

I love using Pinterest as a creative tool. When I'm starting on a project I pin inspiration ideas like crazy. Then I look to see if there is a trend. I learned that while I like mixed fabrics, it's really important to me that it looks intentional. I've also learned that sometimes a project needs a time out. When I pull it out later, at least a week, I have fresh eyes. I enjoy watching your process.

Catherine, thank you so much for this video. The creative process is so enjoyable for me. 😊 Sometimes i will start a project, and run into a snag, and i will set the ptoject aside for awhile, and reacess my process. Sometimes i go in a completely different direction. Your ideas and tips always help. 👏👏👏

Loved that! More like this please! Inspirational

@CatherineSews

Жыл бұрын

So glad you liked it and found inspiration in it!

That was really good 😊. Thanks!

Exactly. Learn from your mistakes

New here! Nice to meet you you! You just spoke my thoughts! I’ve been watching your videos and I am so hooked! You are such an inspiration! I’ve been thrifting since I moved to the USA 35 years ago. Fast fashion and the amount of waste it creates hurts our planet. I know how to sew but lack sophistication and your videos are going to help me improve my skills. Thank you so much!

I saw that video where u made/remade that shirt you are wearing. Love it. Looks great !

Thank you for sharing this great process. I sleep over ideas but I need to write down the answer I'm the morning.

I buy things i like because im shopping for material! Then i design by throwing a bunch on my cutting table! I do a lot of simple changes like making lace sleeves from a teen stretch tshirt. I need tonelbow in my ood age. Just retrace the cap of the one you removed or of a tshirt that fits well. Sleeve design is all in side seam. If you cut straight can gather ar wrist or below elbow. Etc. Your videis supply ways to put it altigether. Even this old sewist learns new tips daily! Ive seen from closets and garages. But our rtirement move included a converted extra freestanding 2 car garage. Was artist studio who built this home. Ive managed to fill it!

I love your attitude!

❤ u are awesome, Catherine. Keep rocking

You are wearing one of my favorite upcycles!

I am terrible at stopping when I hit those speed bumps. You have given me a new perspective and motivation. I'd love to see a "shop w/ me" video, where you evaluate the pieces you see at a thrift store.

@CatherineSews

Жыл бұрын

I’ve often thought about doing a shop with me video, but I think I’d be shy about filming in a store! Maybe I have to get over that!

Meanwhile I can't even go shopping in stores with new clothes without thinking about alterations 😂

My adult children love to thrift and they both (one boy and one girl) have basic sewing skills. I recommended your channel to them because your instructions are easy to follow and your tutorials are so inspiring! Thank you!

Loving your tips.

Great video! Thank you!! P.S. Thanks for the update on the red/gray dress.

You are a Samurai Wizard !

@CatherineSews

Жыл бұрын

Haha, thanks, Ange! I like that!

I'm new here! I really liked the things you said- especially how you can turn something unfavorable into an asset later on like the fringe! I can't wait to work with fabric paints and dyes and embellishments. Hoping to see more of your videos:)

What a wonderful idea to conceptualise the process. Thank you so much. This is a very empowering video.

Exciting!

Luv UR vids n tutes 💐

Heeeeeere for it, Homieeeeee!!!

Thank you for this program! Problem solving and creativity go hand in hand. I realized that I don't have to need something in order to have a sewing project. Why do I keep buying fabric? Because there's something about it I love and because I need the creativity process working in me through sewing. Do you have a tutorial on how to make the crafted heart in your background?

@daxxydog5777

Жыл бұрын

Yes, she does!

I want a tee shirt that say’s about speed broom.. love it

Sewing is, and has always been, a STEAM activity.

You should be a Supermodel on the side, You are sew Beautiful!!! 😊

I did not watch the red & green dress video....just saw that tiny snippet here. But, what about making a fitted sleeveless top out of the top and culottes out of the skirt of it? (I'm assuming it's too short to make actual pants.)

Thank you for the video, I found out that investing is not for everybody, you just need a strong stomach too see your portfolio go down. It might be wiser for a novice to start with copy trading investing, but it is not easy. To invest in growth stocks it is another level, definitely you need to know what are you doing.

@benjaminotto5711

Жыл бұрын

From my own point of view, you need to invest smartly if you need the good things of life. so far i've made over $255k in raw profits from just 6 months into the market from my diversified portfolio strategy and i believe anyone can do it you have the right strategy, mutual funds takes long time but investing smartly is the key for short term. Most of us tend to pay more attention to the shiniest position in the market to the cost of proper diversification.

@kendrickjibson222

Жыл бұрын

This is a phenomenal advice for a new stock traders and investors who want that quick short term game, but don't see the light at the end of the tunnel.

@Louisharvey56

Жыл бұрын

By following her trades do you mean copying her trades? I have heard about copying trades

@benjaminotto5711

Жыл бұрын

Yes, exactly. It's all programmatic and automated, plus it's relatively much easier to set up and connect my accounts than creating a financial plan and drafting investment strategies myself, my account just mirrors her trades in realtime.

@benjaminotto5711

Жыл бұрын

Make your own research and look her name up online and send her a message, her portfolio is the first that pops up when you search her name because she is popular

I've tried doing upcycles, but decided not to, because I generally end up not wearing the finished article. It's as if the mere fact that it is an upcycle is off putting or something. I do buy secondhand to wear and make my own clothes. Don't know how to get past the bock.

Bump not broom

@gerdiemyburgh8726

Жыл бұрын

Hi Catherine I luv your videos I am sewing for many years, but you really learn me new skills that I luv specially how to make clothes bigger. I always struggle with my clothes I am smaller at the top as at the bottom...so I really learn a lot from you. I have one question I have a apriocot t shirt that I want to make bigger can I use like a cotton material if I do not get the same t shirt I have this top for awhile and I saw the perfect material that I want to make a skirt to wear with it. Thank you Gerdie

Somebody asked me why I was upcycling some unworn clothing from my own closet. I said it’s free and I can learn something.70% of donated clothing doesn’t sell and ends up in a landfill somewhere.