Besserina: April 2012

I have been blown away by the sweetest emails from those of you who have made these curtains! Some of them have seriously made me cry. For a few of you it was your first sewing project, what an accomplishment for you! You have sent me pictures of them in your homes and they look gorgeous, you are truly amazing!

When I first started sewing, I could not make anything without a pattern. I needed detailed instructions, a paper pattern to trace and color photo's. I felt I had a knack for stitching, and liked it. I made clothes for my little girls and bags, but I felt so limited by the huge craft store pattern drawers. I started to get big ideas but just couldn't find the right pattern. Printed patterns made me feel safe. It took a long time for me to realize that I had all the skills to make things on my own, I just needed to TRY IT. Now when I get a project idea, a pillow, curtains...I sketch it out, write it down. I can see the finished project in my head and figure the steps in which they will be completed. I've learned that whether you are sewing for your own home or for your business, you just need to trust yourself, believe that you are good enough. Put your own spin on basic ideas, change it up, make it your own. Be inspired by current designers. Sure I still use patterns, but I'm a lot more comfortable now making my own.

I encourage you to try this. Get out of your comfort zone. Find your style. Knock off a pair of designer curtains for your bedroom just for fun. They don't need to be exact, or perfect or made of Egyptian cotton. You don't need a $1,000 sewing machine or an extra room in your house. Half the time I use my dining room table and I would risk my life to save my 40 year old Kenmore in a fire. :) Take risks. If you are a creative business owner: Are you creating what you love? Or just what you think will sell? I've struggled with this and have finally come to peace with what I want to spend my precious time making. If you are passionate about your work, others will see that and will respond. Clean house. I recently got rid of a ton of craft supplies. Fabric I've been saving that I would probably never use, trims, buttons, tools....we all work better with a clean slate.
How do you break out of your comfort zone?

I also thought it would be fun to share your version of curtains made from this tutorial. Send me a Pinterest link or just email pictures to Besserina AT msn DOT com and I will add them to this post as I get them. You could also link up your own blog post featuring your curtains in the comments section of this post.

I can't wait to see them!