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A day in the life
The lovely Tilly recently asked me to share some details on what a typical day is like for me. It was a great chance to reflect on my day-to-day life, which has been constantly evolving over the last few years.
If you’re interested in hearing about how my time plays out, head over to Tilly’s blog for the post.
Comments
Mathilda
February 27, 2012 #
I must just say that you have my dream job/life!
I’m a 17 years old girl from Sweden and I really love your blog! It keeps med inspired to sew despite that I don’t have much time for it because of my studies.
This makes me very frustrated because it feels like I’m not being better on it and everytime I want to sew something it feels like it is too complicated for me to do. So I wonder if you have any tips for me so I can turn this bad thinking and actually dare to do it?
Have a really nice day! // Mathilda
Sarai
February 27, 2012 #
Mathilda, I think a lot of people feel that way. One thing I’d suggest is finding easy, quick projects to do at first, things that don’t feel overwhelming but still give you something cute and nice to wear when you’re done. Maybe pair a simple pattern with a nice fabric. I think getting a few “quick fix” doses of success can really boost your confidence.
Renata
February 27, 2012 #
That was a really inspiring post! You’re now a role-model for me, since your routine is pretty much how I want to shape my life in the next couple of years. Including the cats.
Sarai
February 27, 2012 #
The cats are the easy part. They loooove routine.
Samina
February 27, 2012 #
Lovely write-up at Tilly’s blog. One burning Q though – where did you get those hooks on the rod that holds your sewing supplies? I love the way that looks & I don’t think I’ve seen hooks like that before.
Sarai
February 27, 2012 #
Ikea! It’s actually two kitchen rails meant to hold pots and pans, and the little white buckets are meant to hold cutlery. It’s absolutely perfect for holding tools!
Miss Crayola Creepy
February 27, 2012 #
So fun seeing what a day in your life is like! I saw that you like smoothies, do you ever juice? My husband and I are juicing addicts :) This weekend we mixed it up and juiced oranges to mix with vanilla vodka. So good!
Sarai
February 27, 2012 #
We don’t have a juicer, though it sounds fun!
One thing I miss about California is the citrus. While we were home in LA last weekend, it was growing absolutely everywhere, and my mom’s tree was dripping with oranges. But we do have blueberries, and blueberry juice sounds pretty amazing…
Latrice
February 27, 2012 #
That was a nice write-up. It was very nice meeting you at Sew LA.
We have the same serger. I have only used it once and that was to get a feel for it.
Sarai
February 28, 2012 #
I love that serger! Sometimes I’m tempted by the fancier models at my local dealer, but this one works so well for me, it seems totally unnecessary.
Thanks for coming out to the party at Sew LA! I hope you had a good time, they put on quite the event. :)
Pixie
February 27, 2012 #
Hi Sarai! I loved the post, your space is inspirational! I noticed for the third time that beautiful vintage fabric! The dusty blue/teal one with the black, grey and white dots and Xs. I fell in love with it in a fabric post you did, and I think I spotted it in the Sewing Handbook as well! Having admired it a number of times now, I have to know – have you made anything from it? I would love to see it!
Sarai
February 28, 2012 #
I haven’t! I guess I’m afraid to cut it up, like a lot of my vintage fabrics. I’m going to try incorporating them into my spring sewing though.
Heather Lou
February 28, 2012 #
Sarai, your average days sounds like my dream day. I’m really impressed you manage to get so much exercise squeezed in. You’re inspiring me to get my winter-chubby booty in gear.
Allison
February 28, 2012 #
Thanks for sharing so generously about your daily life. I think it’s inspiring, too, for other crafty people to see how you manage your day and in a sense, your business. I appreciate your canning ability, too. I love to can, especially tomatoes. I can smell summer in a just-opened jar of tomatoes. Your hair looks great. Thanksthanksthanks.
Mariló
February 28, 2012 #
I’ve read the post and it’s really inspirational. Makes want to keep on working to run my own bussiness one day, I have a lot of things to learn yet. Although I little later in my life I’ve realized that I want to sew as a job but your post has been very helpful. Thank you. By the way I love your blog.
Ariadna
February 29, 2012 #
Hi!
I’m a reader from Barcelona, I love your blog and I totally loved this post! I wish it was me working there, it looks so nice! :)
I would love you to check out my blog and see the things i do, I hope you like it!
Becki
February 29, 2012 #
Thanks for the photo! I am working on a dedicated sewing space (vs. the dining room) and I am always interested in seeing how others’ spaces look.
Rose
February 29, 2012 #
I loved the post – and your blog in general. You’re very inspirational!
Carolyn
March 1, 2012 #
This really was a lovely and inspirational post! It’s clear you’ve given many people who read it a goal to work towards for their own lives!
One thought I had, though. As it seems you’re (deservedly) becoming a role model to others, I think it would be great to also hear about any struggles you encountered on the way to your currently enviable place in life and how you overcame them – if you’d be willing to share any.
I think that could be just as inspirational to people, and in a society that focuses so much on the successful end product (in school and working life) that appears so effortless the incalulable value of failure/hardship is ignored. But seeing how successful people hit walls along their journey, and how they picked themselves up afterwards and were stronger can be very encouraging to others to keep going when they feel they want to quit!
I hope that didn’t come off as a rant, and it most certainly was not meant to be a criticism of the post in ANY way, shape or form. And I don’t want to ask you to reveal any information you may wish to keep personal and private. It’s just that I’m sure you’ve gained valuable insight and wisdom along your own journey.
Anyhow, just a thought.
Sarai
March 1, 2012 #
Carolyn, thank you. This is a really thoughtful comment, and it’s good to get feedback like this. I’m often unsure about how much personal stuff you guys are even interested in hearing. Also, I really do think I’m extraordinarily lucky, so even when things are bad, it’s hard for me to talk about them without feeling like a whiner.
But I did allude to some of my obstacles, namely that I tend to work myself until I’m cross-eyed if I’m not careful, and that’s something that really took a toll while I was writing my book. Actually, I think I’ve made all the mistakes that nearly every small business owner does: working too hard, trying to do everything myself, believing I can do it all, not wanting to give up any control, etc. I guess I figured people are more interested in the solutions or workarounds I’ve found than the problems. But you’ve given me a lot to think about.
seashoreknits
March 1, 2012 #
Thank you for sharing your routine with us, Sarai. It sounds like a very good blend of work, exercise, relaxation, and play. Such a nice balance – it is no wonder your blog posts (and your book) convey a nice orderly sense of calm and competence. I just knew you must live your life in the same way! It shows. Thanks to Tilly for inviting you to share!
colleen
March 6, 2012 #
Sarai,
You have no idea what finding your patterns have meant to me as a sewist and as a woman. I think I became stuck seeing myself only in “hippie” clothes, making one peasant blouse after another so that my body’s soft spots (heh) wouldn’t be so apparent. Hide the waist, hide the boobs. But, seeing the way that other woman have taken the clothes and interpret them so fearlessly, so boldly, wow. It’s a daily discovery. Plus, of course, nobody makes a clearer pattern than you all.
Happy days!
Kathy Grimm
March 16, 2012 #
I enjoy reading your tips so much that I’ve nominated you for this Kreativ Blogger award and shared your site with my readers. Thank you for your contributions to many sewing enthusiasts. You may find our referral to your blog here. (http://dollenvy.wordpress.com/2012/03/15/ive-been-nominated-for-the-kreative-blogger-award/)