“It’s not until you dive in that you know the true depth of the water”
So I’ve got a little admission to make, something I omitted in my last post. The astute amongst you will have noticed that in that post I said that my main reason for blogging was to take my first steps in ticking of my “30 Things Before 30” whilst also providing a platform for me to document and reflect on the journey.
But what was it that meant that, out of all my hopes and ambitions, this one made it to the very top of my list? What was I planning to write about before I sat down with friends, put pen to paper and scribed “start a blog”
It is with trepidation that I make my confession. Since writing my first post I have spent time mentally writing and rewriting the words for this reveal but have struggled to find the right words to fit the purpose. This trepidation is something that has puzzled me.
But luckily to help in my path of self-analysis I had a secret weapon to help me. This time my secret weapon came in the form of a late-night drive home from work and some strong ballads from my main girls Paloma and Tracy (Faith and Chapman). After failing to hit every note and scaring the driver next to me with my dramatic moves, I was able to begin to understand what I had been struggling with in writing this post.
I have never been particularly confident. My teenage years were spent with the same angst and self-doubt that girls everywhere can sympathise with, reluctant to share my inner thoughts for fear of some how not quite being as good as everyone else. Whilst getting older, and questionably wiser, has meant that my confidence is slowly building I can, at times, still find myself being riddled with self-doubt and the nagging feeling that there’s something that everyone else understands but that I’m still falling short on. As a result of this I still find myself holding back and reluctant to share my true self with others. Sharing is caring but it’s also pretty scary!
However, as I gradually let others know the real me I am starting to realise that it is only in letting others know the real you that you can begin to accept yourself and live life fully. In trying to protect ourselves we can sacrifice much of life’s true richness. So in keeping with the living life to the full and seizing the moment, I plan to dive straight in and reveal the real reason for starting a blog… no apologies, no more waffling… just go ahead and do it!
So here goes…
My names Elle and I’m addicted to sewing!
There I’ve said it. Originally, the reason I wanted to start a blog was not to document my journey to the big 3-0 (though that is now also a goal of mine) but it was instead to grow and develop one of my main passions in life: sewing.
I’ve always enjoyed being the creative and crafty things… coming from a large family with little money you really appreciate the value in being able to make something from nothing. But it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I really got into sewing. I had been given a machine as a present when I was younger (identical machines, bulk brought Christmas presents for me and my two sisters) but it sat under my bed for many years.
I can’t remember what it was that first got me back into sewing but I can remember the first sewing blog I ever read. In fact, I can remember the very first sewing post I ever read was this maxi dress by Suzannah at Adventures in Dressmaking (now Create-Enjoy), which led to an obsession following the journey of the many fantastic sewing bloggers out there on the wide web. There really are some truly inspirational seamstresses out there, looking at you House of Pinheiro, the Little Tailoress and the girls at By Hand London
Now I don’t claim to be anything special or advanced in the field of sewing, I’m still learning and even the basic pattern can throw me into a frenzied panic. But I do know how much I enjoy reading about others sewing adventures and how inspiring I find it when a new post appears in my email.
So whilst I am fairly new to dressmaking here I am, taking my first steps into the world of a sewing blog and hoping that I can give back at least a fraction of the support and advice I’ve taken from others in the online sewing community.
And not to brag but I’ve got some pretty exciting projects coming up!
So till next time guys and gals
Elle xx
alifehomespun 