Thank you so much for your response so far to our “Who We Are” series, which will continue between theme months! We are so excited to hear from sewists from all walks of life about how identity does (or doesn’t!) affect their sewing and participation in the online community. Seriously, of you haven’t read through the comments on our last two posts, go do that now!
As we’ve mentioned already, we’ll be putting out periodic calls for submissions from people who identify with specific identities. We’ll gather stories from those people, and combine them together into a group post exploring, for example, what it’s like to sew/blog as a plus-size person or non-native English speaker. If you feel really passionate about the topic, you don’t have to wait for us to put out a call – just email us with a proposal for a post of your own! We hope that discussion our unique experiences brings us all closer together, and helps us consider different perspectives.
First up, we are putting out a call for submissions from sewists in the following three categories:
- sewists over 50: If you learned to sew decades ago, how has the sewing world changed? Do you see the awesome sewists your age represented in the online community? Has sewing helped you break free of ridiculous (and cruel) old adages like “mutton dressed as lamb” to hone in on your ideal personal style? Tell us what it’s like to be 50+ in the online sewing community!
- taller than 5’9″/175cm: What patterns work best for you, and what adjustments do you need to make? Are you ever envious of short sewists (like me!) being able to squeeze a garment from less fabric? Is being tall normal in your country, or has it made you self-conscious? Does sewing help you dress the way to always wanted to? Please let us know!
- living with chronic illness/pain/health concerns: If you are a “spoonie“, chances are that is affects when, how much, and what kind of sewing you do, not to mention if you have energy left to participate in the online community! As someone who has lived with chronic pain in the past, I know that the invisibility of pain can be frustrating. Some illnesses are much more visible, and that brings its own challenges. If you are or have lived with chronic pain or illness, we would love to hear your story!
If you identify as one of the above and would like to share your perspective, give us a shout in the comments, via Instagram, or at sewcialists@gmail.com! We’ll gather your stories into thematic posts. The “categories” aren’t strict, so if you are 45 or 5’8″ and want to contribute, that’s just fine!
We’ve chosen these three identities to explore first because they are quite common. We’re open to suggestions for what communities to call on next, so let us know in the comments if you have suggestions!
Hi there. I’m 55 and 5 foot 8! I’m also second generation of Italians who came to Britain at the end of the 50s for a better life. I’d love to contribute to this discussion but don’t have a blog. Does that matter?
Nope, doesn’t matter at all! 😄 Email is whatever you like to say about both topics!
Oh, and I should have mentioned our email again: sewcialists@gmail.com ! 😉
I’m a sewist who struggles on a daily basis with fibromyalgia. Could you clarify what it is exactly you’re looking for us to write about? I’m confused about tying chronic illness in with my identity, as I’ve struggled in the past to keep my illness and identity separate. I don’t like to consider fibromyalgia a major aspect of my identity, especially because it’s something that is beyond my control and it carries a great deal of stigma with it. In my eyes, my identity is largely shaped by my tastes, interests, talents and morals. In the most basic sense, it is a reflection of who I am at my very core self. Just as I don’t feel that my allergies are apart of my identity, neither are my issues with CFS, fibro, or anxiety. It’s like how I prefer to say that “I have a disability” as opposed to saying “I am disabled.” It’s a pretty big difference in my eyes, fibro is not a part of who I am. That being said, I am all for writing about how my fibromyalgia onset has changed my hobbies of sewing (and blogging about sewing), as well as how I cope with the different challenges that my illness poses.
Hi! Everyone has different ideas about their identity, so I respect that you don’t feel that health is part of your identity. You explained it well! I did try to use person-first language in all the posts, but I apologize if that didn’t come actress clearly! My hope for contributions is exactly what you described at the end of your comment: a sharing of stories from people about how pain/chronic health impacts their sewing. It’s something that we may not always be aware of as we read each other’s blog, but quite a lot of sewists (including myself) make accommodations in their sewing for their health… so I’m hoping talking about it helps us learn about each other! 😄
Oh, and I should have repeated our email: sewcialists@gmail.com ! Thanks! 😉
I started a Creativity (sewing, fiber art, crocheting, decorative painting etc) blog last Spring during a blitz of wellness days! ;o) It was great fun until I had an MS relapse. Now lately it reminds me I’m not well enough to sew what I want. And if I try to when ill it will be harder. But I don’t want to lose time waiting till I feel better. That age reminder!
Oddly I too don’t “identify” as being disabled, and spoonie is too youthful for me- LOL! I’m 60! My career is teaching Independent Living Skills to people with disabilities. We’ve run a Group Home in our home for adults with disabilities for 30 years. I still work, but I qualify for disability benefits. I don’t collect the benefits tho. I’d rather work if they’ll let me. (Ageism and disabilty make referrals hard to get)
Pride? Maybe.
So I’d love to say a few words, about either. I’m passionate about creating. Its good for the soul!
I forgot to add I took a 20 year break from sewing when Walmart moved in! I was able to dress a lot of kids from there much cheaper. Fabrics were getting pricey, more independent shops than mega shops like now. And then fashion went low rise jeans and cheap fabrics. So back to sewing which is economical again! Altho I miss those mom and pop shops.
How could I phrase it better? I can understand why you and Ladyfair chose not to think of health as part of your identity…. but then what should i call it to be more inclusive? I”m game for any advice! 😉
Shoot us an email with whatever you like to say on age and health, and I’ll look forward to reading it an including it in a post! sewcialists@gmail.com
Sewists “with” disabilities maybe? ;o) No matter, we know your intent was good!
Hello, I fit into 2 of the 3 categories- 6 feet tall and over 50. I have been sewing since I was 13. The process hasn’t changed much but the technology sure has! I would be willing to share my thoughts on sewing & identity.
Fantastic! Send us an email with 1-3 paragraphs (ish), and we’ll include it in an upcoming post! sewcialists@gmail.com
Ooooh, a topic I’m passionate about: as I am 6 foot tall, with an hourglass figure, and with long legs AND long torso AND deep bust. Combine that with itchy feet, and a will to live in as many places as possible, I have found RTW clothes deeply frustrating for years. I’d love to contribute to this discussion
My grandma was 6′ and a big woman, and she visited Japan in the 70’s… and I just LOVE picturing what that might have been like! When I lived in Japan 30 years later I still stood out like a sore thumb, and I’m a very normal (short) height for Japan! I’ll look forward to reading your stories – send us an email with 1-3 paragraphs, and we’ll put it in an upcoming post! sewcialists@gmail.com
I’d like to provide a conflicting opinion to the two sewists with disabilities who’ve already commented; I am a disabled sewist. My disabilities are implicitly part of my identity so I prefer identity-first rather than person-first language. Having readers with differing language preferences, I’m not sure there is a solution to please everyone. Personally, if writing for/to/about an audience and not about a specific person, I’d use whatever sounded better in the sentence while trying to make sure I use both person first and identity first in the piece. Whatever you end up choosing, I think your willingness to listen and consider other perspectives is the important part.
;o) (((HUG)))
Thanks! Most of all I’m trying not to horrible offend people and start a flame war on the internet, so as long as my good intentions come across, I hope we’re ok! 😉 I love reading how people view their own identity, and you expressed why you prefer identity0first language really well!