So C&A had lovely, affordable linen trousers in their collection this summer. And not that pleated around the waste that then narrow down to the ankle style that make me look like an Obelisk (truly, all those trousers needed were the stripes), like they had last year.
Lovely, wide-legged, loose, look good on a hot day, style.
But of course they were too long: I’m in The Netherlands, and I’m 5’2. I needed to take about 6 inches off the bottom. But that’s ok, that’s about the only kind of clothing adjustments that I can do.
Tackling the project.
So I ordered new thread, and did measuring, and measuring again, and then cut.
And the nice thing about linen is that when you iron down the folded hem, it stays down. I was enjoying myself.
When I started to sew, it all went wrong. The tension was off. I got out my manual, checked my sewing against the images to see if the problem was the bobbin tension or the other bit (if I knew the right word I’d use it).
I rewound my bobbin thread. I re-thread my machine. I unpicked the entire hem and sewed.
Same problem.
I checked the manual again, had I got it wrong? I fiddled with other things you can fiddle with for the tension.
I unpicked and resewed that thing FOUR times.
Aaaarggghh!
I chucked out my new thread and picked a different one. Repeated the steps above, but on the second try I got a hem that was decent.
Finally!
I did a lot of PQ reps that evening. Lots of breathing out my frustration.
And when I was done, I looked for a new sewing machine.
Making a different kind of choice.
Could I have had it repaired? Maybe, but it was also not doing zigzag stitch, and a bunch of other little niggles.
Old me would have stewed and back peddled on the idea of spending money when I could “probably make do”. Old me would have struggled with the tension 17 more times before I thought it was practical enough for me to get a new one.
New me bought a new machine that’s going to let make that quilt for my kids, out of their old t-shirts from when they were kids.
New me bought it because I want it.
Because I want to experience joy when I tailor my clothes to fit.
Because I want it. Did I say that already? Good, because it’s important.
A different kind of impact.
New me was so excited about my crafts that I finished off a little embroidery project of a ginger cat that I started about 20 years ago. It’s also a fridge magnet and is now among the collection my kids have of fridge magnets to remind us every place we go to visit.
That cat embroidery? I got to do it for the sheer delight of getting it done. Who needs a fridge magnet of a cat? No one, but it’s a nice little thing to have. It’s cute.
The secret to real and lasting change.
Now I know that somewhere over the next few weeks I’ll probably get distracted. Have practical things demand my attention, and keep me away from pursuing my hobbies of joy. But that’s my job: to remember. To make the new choice.
I’ll wobble for sure, but I will succeed.
I’d say that I’ve spent the last 17 years deliberately changing certain habits in my life. And success has come when I’ve been honest with myself that I will wobble, but to keep at it.
This is just my current project of creating a new pattern of living in my life.
I’m stepping out of the comfort zone of practicality, and into pursuing what I really want, now at this time of life.
What comfort zone do you want to step out of?
What new way of living do you want for yourself?
This is part of my Thought Piece Series, where I explore topics related to leadership and provide both answers and questions. My intention is to start meaningful conversations that help us move forward. Want to connect? Click here.