You read the title correctly. Today, I share sewing for myself. We should all be sewing for ourselves and it is absolutely not selfish to do so. So, when I heard Shaffer Sisters and CallAjaire were planning this blog series celebrating and honoring womanhood and "our common threads" I jumped on board. Have you been following this series? It is great! All sorts of women, of all sizes, shapes, types, and ages are sewing for themselves in many ways and celebrating themselves. What an honor to be included.
Now, why have I not sewn much for myself in the past? Because I am fat! I admit it. I used to be skinny, for many years I hovered at about 120 lbs on my 5'6" big-boned frame. That was actually too skinny. Then, I hovered around 150 for many years and I look back and think those were my good body years. Now, I am about 200 lbs and not a happy camper. Combined with my Hashimoto's thyroid disease, the weight makes my joints ache and makes me not enjoy exercise. Which makes me gain more weight. It's been a vicious cycle the last few years. I am ready to confess to the public and admit I have a problem and get better!
So, I took this series as an excuse to share with you my body type, my trials and tribulations, and tell you that I am going to start a new series, called Project Me, where I embark on a new path that includes exercise, taking care of myself, enjoying life more, counseling, sewing for myself, and learning to like me. And the first step is to sew myself something pretty that can be altered if and when I lose some weight. I say if and when because I am not a fad dieter. I am not joining Weight Watchers or eating only raw food. I am not giving up cheese or French bread. I will still enjoy coffee and wine. But, I will also go to bed at a more regular time, exercise daily (even if it is just a bit) and eat more vegies than bread every day. I will still enjoy my bacon but not in moderation.
And so, here is me. My oldest daughter took these horrible pictures of me from a chair. The vantage point and lighting are terrible! But, it is the best we can do and I am not going to let it stop me from sharing with you. I know there are many beautiful, skinny mommy bloggers out there sharing their sewing. But, we "fluffy" moms should not let that stop us from enjoying sewing for ourselves. And when Jennifer Paganelli's Beauty Queen arrived my house, I knew that was going to be mostly for me. I am not an affiliate or anything for JP. I just think her fabrics are the most beautiful out there and she, herself, is the sweetest person I know online. I am blessed to call her friend even if we have never met in real life.
So, here I am!
I made myself a skirt from the Fashion Formula Skirts pattern from Serendipity Studios. I like this pattern because it has so many options. I have made it before and it is comfy and pretty. Again, I am not affiliate or anything for this company. This is just a nice pattern!
The tee shirt I got at a local store and appliqued myself using Melody in Midnight. The pinks are so pretty that I feel pretty wearing them.
Hashimoto's has left my hair super thin and even medication hasn't
helped it return. I don't want to wear a wig because I get hot easily so
I wear head scarves. I made this one from Beauty Queen. The scarf is
Letty in Midnight. It is very dark but it is blue, not black.
Why is the skirt falling so funny? Oh dear, well I cannot control that so I will have to accept this picture and just relax!!! It is hard to not be super skinny. Our society puts so much pressure on us to be skinny and almost none of it is about health. It is mostly all about comparing ourselves to others. I am going to try hard to ignore it and focus on health. If I get thinner because I am getting healthier, I can take this skirt in at the waist. That is why chose it.
So, there you have it. Me accepting me for who I am and marching out of my shell to better health and self acceptance. I hope you join me on this journey, which I will be sharing on Thursdays. Every Thursday, I will update where I am and where I've been and where I am going. I am doing this in public to not only hold myself accountable but also to connect with other women like me.
Please join me.
And thank you for joining my part of the wonderful Sew-A-bration of Womanhood tour.
