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Sewing Chatter: What’s your sewing superpower?
When you were little, did you ever wish for a superpower? I wished to be able to time travel. I still haven’t really let go of the idea of superpowers, so I like to recognize my every day superpowers, many of which pop up while sewing.
Just being able to dream of a garment and then sew it to fit your body is a superpower, but we each have extra special sewing tricks, too. Some of us are topstitching wizards, or masters of slippery fabrics. It’s different for everyone!
So I want to know, what is your sewing superpower? (In case you’re wondering, mine is sewing knit neckbands.)
Bam! Pow! Ka-bang! Share your sewing superpower below.
Comments
Marie-Noëlle
March 15, 2016 #
Without bragging I can say I am very good at matching plaids
Meg
March 15, 2016 #
I’m jealous of your superpower!
Audrey
March 15, 2016 #
Well, mine would be sewing skirts!
Carol
March 15, 2016 #
Bound Buttonholes
Alice Elliot
March 16, 2016 #
OMG! Can I hire you????
maddie
March 15, 2016 #
Sewing elastic for sure! #handmadelingerie
Meg
March 15, 2016 #
I declare you the master of elastic! :)
Ana
March 15, 2016 #
Mine is applying bias binding to curved edges, and it’s all thanks to the Sorbetto pattern and the many blog posts folks have written about it!
carla
March 15, 2016 #
Adding pockets…. love to add pockets to all my bottoms
Amanda
March 15, 2016 #
A perfectly aligned crotch seam.
Lisa
March 15, 2016 #
Balancing the design (there’s always a little tweak in there- something to take away, something to add for better form).
Elle C
March 15, 2016 #
I make all my scrubs for work, which all have pockets, the more the better. My superpower is matching prints so the pockets disappear. Or at least they do when they aren’t full of gloves etc.
Meg
March 15, 2016 #
I wish I had a job where I could wear scrubs, because they seem really fun to make!
Patricia Clements
March 15, 2016 #
That is my superpower too!
Debera Massahos
March 15, 2016 #
Acquiring fabric!
Meg
March 15, 2016 #
I hadn’t thought of that as a superpower…until now :)
Joen
March 15, 2016 #
Installing zippers!
Janet
March 17, 2016 #
Very envious. This is my achilles heel!
Jessica
March 15, 2016 #
LOL, matching prints/fabrics to patterns, and fudging/improvising when things go wrong. Neither of which sounds like a superpower, but they complement each other very well (people are so taken with the fabric choice that they tend not to notice the fudging! I am all about Tim Gunning it.)
Wiebke
March 15, 2016 #
I was going to say matching prints, but now that I think about it, my sewing superpower is probably not being afraid of project that are considered difficult. I always tell myself that every projects – no matter if a simple t-shirt or a complex lined coat – starts with the first step and ends with the last. Then I just go for it. And oftentimes I’m surprised how easy it is :)
Meg
March 15, 2016 #
That is such a good attitude :)
Stasa
March 16, 2016 #
Hello Wiebke! That is the most motivating piece I have ever read about sewing. You gave me a motto to face all my future projects. Thanks a million from an often lost-and-confused beginner :)
Amy
March 17, 2016 #
Your outlook is so motivating! I might post that on my office wall. :)
Wiebke
April 2, 2016 #
I know I’m way too late on this, but I just wanted to thank you guys for your kind comments. Makes me think I should maybe write a blog post about this topic :)
Meris
March 15, 2016 #
Mine would be reimagining and altering garment patterns into costume patterns. I’ve gotten very good at looking at costume designs and choosing pre-made patterns to help with the process.
I’ve also gotten very good at estimating measurements in 1/4″ and 1/2″ increments, which is great for hemming, even if my actual hem pressing leaves a little to be desired.
knitmo
March 15, 2016 #
My sewing superpower is being fearless. I’m not afraid to try a new technique, new-to-me fabric or jump into a project.
Wilma
March 15, 2016 #
Eyeballing. I don’t need your measurements, just need to see you in real life to make you a perfect fitting garment. Just not for myself, that seems to be my kryptonite.
Meg
March 15, 2016 #
It sounds like you are quite the sewing superhero to others!
Jo
March 17, 2016 #
I am so jealous!
Trisha
March 15, 2016 #
My sewing superpower is being able to color match fabric or thread after seeing it in person. I can go to a store and (usually) pick out the right hue without a swatch.
*I always thought being able to teleport would be pretty great. That, or incredible good luck. Or both!
Pelly
March 15, 2016 #
I’m very good at laying pattern pieces out on printed fabrics, and I’m not bad at matching stripes and plaids. I like to think I have a good eye for pulling together colours and prints that you mightn’t have thought would work together. And I enjoy handstitching.
On the other hand, I am possibly the world’s slowest sewist.
Robin M.
March 15, 2016 #
I am very good with my seam ripper!
Meg
March 15, 2016 #
That’s not a small feat, considering how often it’s used.
Kate
March 16, 2016 #
Me too. I read after spending 10,000 hours at anything one can declare themselves an expert; sadly, I may reach that milestone before long. ;)
ROSALYN
March 15, 2016 #
Procrastinating is my super power!
Steph
March 16, 2016 #
Haha, also guilty!
Janine Hellligar
March 16, 2016 #
I love, love sewing and the ability to make my dream garment a reality, not to mention how it soothes my soul and takes me away to some place special. And yet… I am afraid of turning that lovely length of uncut fabric into a nightmare. God help me.
Sara A.
March 15, 2016 #
Grading patterns to fit my unique measurements.
martha reed
March 16, 2016 #
Ooh, I’m very jealous!
Lucinda
March 15, 2016 #
My sewing superpower is grading patterns and fitting my curves. Now, if I only I had the fabric for all my garment dreams
Nelba Vercuil
March 15, 2016 #
On a regular basis saying, ” How difficult could that be?” Gets me in lots of trouble, but fortunately can be quite good when I manage to work out how to do x,y or z and it results in a satisfying project.
Cherie
March 15, 2016 #
I have an arsenal of specialty sewing machine feet and I know how to use them! It’s like Batman; a gadget for every job.
Sabrina
March 16, 2016 #
Sewing pinlessly and matching plaids at the same time. Oh, and pattern cutting. :)
Steph
March 16, 2016 #
Oh wow, I’m very jealous of most of these superpowers! I guess mine would have to be bias binding, took me a while but now I’m a master! My ability to sew slipper fabrics has also been admired…
Karen
March 16, 2016 #
I sew garments, quilts and handbags. Definitely my super power is applique. The more intricate the more my power comes out.
Ghislaine
March 16, 2016 #
My superpower is matching print to make pockets disappear or to create a new geometric print at the side and back seams
Kat
March 16, 2016 #
My sewing skills are pretty mediocre, but my superpower is teaching others basic sewing skills! If I had my own machine I’m sure my skills would improve, but until then, I use the shared machines in my building and do my best to help other tenants with their projects.
I wish I could draft patterns for my stuffed bunny. She is almost 24 years old and made of this slinky parachute-type fabric, and she’s falling apart. I once had a seamstress make her a (poorly executed) new layer, but I’d like to improve on that.
Robin
March 16, 2016 #
My 10 year old cotton elephant was renewed (saved, really) by applying connecting and overlapping patch “bandages” of fusible knit interfacing using a craft iron on a low setting. Surgery was successful, all legs reattached. So I guess my superpower is saving beloved plushies! ?
Trish
March 16, 2016 #
Buttons and buttonholes. Small power but precise placement makes a garment look pro.
Rachel
March 16, 2016 #
The hack.
Dotty Mandlin
March 16, 2016 #
Using remnants! When I was in high school, I could squeeze a skirt out of small
pieces- but was was smaller then too. Now, I make quilts!
Mel
March 16, 2016 #
My super power is bag making, nothing is too complicated and I love to experiment with different materials. I have made bags from silk, cotton, wool tweed, upholstery fabric and anything else I can get my hands on, and I even have my own bag making business now which is rather successful. Sadly my dressmaking skills are rather mediocre and I am usually too embarrassed to wear my own creations because they are just too awful :-(
Dana
March 16, 2016 #
My super power is knowing when to stop for the day. After 2 I should have known better type of mistakes its time to either stop and have a break or work on a project that’s in a different phase of construction.
Chrissy Weeks
March 16, 2016 #
I agree this is a good rule. I try to do the same. But I am not so good at making myself take a break.
Janine Hellligar
March 16, 2016 #
My super power is that I can sew a truly sublime French seam, even around a curved armhole.
Trish
March 16, 2016 #
That’s a good power! My hems are my super powerdown.
Mary Stein
March 16, 2016 #
Wouldn’t it be a fantastic super company if every super power here could work together under one roof dreaming up new designs and then just teleport back to our homes when Dana says we should stop for the day?
Wendy
March 26, 2016 #
Yes! :)
Bleubook
March 16, 2016 #
My sewing superpower is hemming jeans. Might not sound like much until you’ve seen it done badly. :)
Anya
March 16, 2016 #
Mine would be fitting all pattern pieces into a less than recommended amount of fabric :)
Jo
March 17, 2016 #
This is mine too! I can get a Laurel with elbow length sleeves out of 1.5m (1.9y) now! And that’s 45″ width fabric too.
Anya
March 18, 2016 #
This is indeed impressive! :)
Kerry
March 16, 2016 #
Mine would be upcycling thrift shop finds.
Caroline
March 16, 2016 #
Ah ah! I have the super power to speed up time while I sew!! ;)
Meg
March 16, 2016 #
So you’re the one speeding up time while I sew? Knock it off! :)
Ryann
March 16, 2016 #
My superpower is being a pattern layout ninja – I’m not fully satisfied unless I use less yardage than called for on the back of the envelope. (Though I’ll admit I still buy the recommended amount – but it generally gives me enough ‘oops’ room that I can recut a piece or two if necessary)
Chrissy Weeks
March 16, 2016 #
My sewing buddies have nicknamed me the Magical Unicorn of Sewing. I sew w/o the “recipe” aka pattern or directions and rarely measure. So I guess my super power is eyeballing things. I inherited it from my grandmother.
Kezia
March 16, 2016 #
I’m a mediocre sewer who makes myself happy. But my superpower is mending!!!!!!!
Alice Elliot
March 16, 2016 #
My superpower is knowing when to say “no” to people who ask me to just “do this tiny little sewing job,” and expecting it to be done for free in my spare time!
Trish
March 16, 2016 #
Love it! If you ever start machine embroidery, tell no one!
Lady ID
March 18, 2016 #
OMG Seriously!!!!
Detra
March 16, 2016 #
Mine is I love inserting zippers and look forward to them.
Oma
March 16, 2016 #
Mine is the ability to try new projects,even when it’s complicated and I have no idea where to start from but at the it comes out lovely
Regan
March 16, 2016 #
I’m pretty good at double needle hemming, even around curved necklines!
Kate
March 16, 2016 #
My little sewing nook is very cute, organized, and inviting. Even my many mishaps seem okay in this friendly environment. :)
Robin
March 16, 2016 #
This superpower is under appreciated!
Chris
March 16, 2016 #
Being able to look at a finished product I like then coming up with the pattern myself so I don’t need to put out the cost the pattern.
Danica
March 16, 2016 #
Having fun with sewing and not getting too attached to the outcome of the finished product. It’s just a nice hobby for me, not an obsession..
Maria
March 16, 2016 #
Not being afraid…even when I first started sewing after being away from it for a looong time, I didn’t check to see if it was a complicated pattern. If I liked it I tried it. Some turned out pretty scary, but not all. And the failures were leaning experiences anyway.
Karina
March 16, 2016 #
My sewing super power is to sew dresses for my baby girl, who is 21 months old. Se always likes them so much. They are always cute, no matter how simple. And they allow me to test new techniques in such a small scale, that I am not afraid at all.
sanc
March 16, 2016 #
My superpower is to show how to sew to people and making it look easy and fun. But I wish I could have the one Mary Stein speak about, being able to get all of us together and use every superpower. Wow, what a dream! Thank you for that wonderfull idea
.
Danielle
March 16, 2016 #
Mine is sourcing second hand sewing cabinets at amazing prices!!
Sarah
March 16, 2016 #
My super power is making clothes look beautiful on the inside. I love employing techniques such as Hong Kong finish and French seams. I am also pretty good at topstitching
Judith
March 16, 2016 #
My hand sewing is pretty much invisible, making for lovely hems.
gabriel
March 16, 2016 #
mending. especially fencing gear. i’ve actually come to enjoy the problem solving aspect of it, and take pride in a fix that’s sturdy, unobtrusive, and even artistic on occasion – you should have seen the bleeding heart appliqué i did to repair the dead section of a lamé. turned heads at the tournament, it did.
Robin
March 18, 2016 #
I used to patch fencing apparel too, about a hundred years ago when I fenced. My coach taught me to use dental floss for repairs where strength is really important – works really well and is generally white.
gabriel
March 18, 2016 #
biggest problem is working on the newer ballistic nylon materials :p the jacket fabric itself abrades anything attached to it… i’ve never managed anything other than a short term repair on a cuissard…. but patching the conductive pieces parts got to be entertaining…. and then there is the occasional split seam on coach’s warm-ups…
Wendy
March 26, 2016 #
Fantastic tip! Thanks!
Vicki
March 16, 2016 #
Mine is to always find just a little more room to hold more in my fabric stash. Even better, the husband never seems to notice.
Janou
March 17, 2016 #
I guess mine is to see the potential in non-apparel fabrics like duvet covers, curtains and table cloths. And storage, I can cram surprising amounts of stash fabric into relatively little space. Now if only I was a bit better at finishing things…
Caroline
March 17, 2016 #
My superpower is to know straightaway what to make when I see a nice unique fabric. It must be a superpower because I often see people in fabric stores who are unsure what to buy and go home empty-handed even when the shop provides the most beautiful fabrics,… the problem with this superpower is that my fabric stash is becoming a bit overwhelming oooops
francesca
March 17, 2016 #
So many echoes of different powers here. But my greatest is refashioning. Even though I love making things from scratch and have easily attained an almost totally me-made wardrobe, I love and am good at upcycling/refashioning. My first make after a 15 year hiatus from sewing was a cropped jacket with collar and lapels refashioned from a handembroidered shapeless mao style jacket from Afghanistan. I even remembered to put in sleeve heads:)….
Ainhoa
March 17, 2016 #
My super power is sewing in record time all kinds of improvised projects with my kids.
Note: I am delighted to read this long list of comments from so many seamstresses feeling so proud and proclaiming their talents!! Sometimes we tend to lamenting our failures and limitations, and we do not stop to think about everything that we have learned and achieved so far in our journey through the world of sewing.
Amie
March 18, 2016 #
Matching seams in a quilt top. I ain’t afraid of pins!
Nené
March 18, 2016 #
My superpower is learn sewing techniques only visiting blogs and websites. I never atended sewing clases, but but what is shared here could be considered as such.
Julia
March 21, 2016 #
I’m a pretty ‘humble’ sewist (is that a word?), but I’d say my superpower is sewing without a pattern… or making my own patterns out of an idea I saw somewhere.
Sendal
March 22, 2016 #
My superpower is the ability to take anyone else’s sewing disaster and salvage the project in a way that makes them say “WOW — that turned out better than the original plan!” Unfortunately, my superpower is fueled by ~peeks furtively behind me at an entire room full of my own disasters~ well let’s just say it comes at a price! ~lol and hiding the circa 1995 jumpsuit with the right arm serged to the left leg~
Frances
April 10, 2016 #
My superpower is being fastidious – it doesn’t matter if I’m sewing a simple placemat or a more complicated garment, I take my time and make it the best it can possibly be. I’m very slow, but every stitch is straight and it looks as good on the inside as it does on the outside.
Diane
April 11, 2016 #
Mine is handsewing — hems, buttons, even seams. Tiny stitches, nice and straight.