In October I had myself chained to a sewing machine. I realized that a lot of the garments I had made for a show needed a massive number of adjustments and repairs. I started slowly; making sure that the measurements for each piece were correct and making sure that my stitches and alterations were accurate. I quickly realized the problem: I was trying to get too much done in a short amount of time, and I skipped important steps such as making mock-ups and fittings. Instead, I took my patterns at face-value and made the incredibly naïve decision to simply make the garments, cutting and trimming the expensive fabric just to save myself the time and energy of proper tailoring. After completing one garment in full, I realized my negligence. The waist was too long and simply too big on her, and while I knew I would have to set the hem of the gown, it was 6 inches too long! A set of sleeves I had made for another gown, which
should have been simple, became a task in frustration because in my haste I sewed them the wrong way and had to improvise a fix. Even on my own doublet for closures, I sewed two eyes and no hooks, or I sewed them off-kilter which made the garment fit funny. Like when you button up your shirt and you miss a button, or you button it unevenly. My advice to you (as a tailor, and as a minister), and its great advice for life: make sure you are taking the time to make a project fit but allow yourself the flexibility of repair and adjustment. Don’t rush if you can help it, and if you must be sure you take the time to look at and admire your work. And it’s easier to take something in because you’ve allowed space for adjustment, rather than cutting it too closely and leaving little space left over for ease. Remember the tailors creed: Measure twice, cut once!