It is a common misconception that the Selfish Seamstress, and Selfish Seamstresses in general (you know who you are and I think you’re cool!), does not sew things for other people. In actuality, Selfish Seamstresses often find themselves in situations in which they have to sew for others, which is what led them to become Selfish Seamstresses in the first place. In fact, much like with bee sting allergies with which you don’t know if you’re allergic until you’ve actually been stung, you can’t really KNOW whether you are truly a Selfish Seamstress until you find yourself having to make something for someone else.
If you find that making something for someone else takes twice, thrice, ten times as long as it would take to make the exact same thing for yourself (or never gets finished at all), you might be a Selfish Seamstress. If your only motivation to finish said object is so that you can get back to making stuff for yourself, you might be a Selfish Seamstress. If, when you finish it, you consider keeping it for yourself, you might be a Selfish Seamstress. And if you have thoughts like, “Yes, Mommy, you carried me and gave me life, raised and nurtured me from an infant and paid for college to boot, but once I’m done hemming your skirt, YOU OWE ME,” then you are one seriously ungrateful and impressively Selfish Seamstress. Good job!
When a Selfish Seamstress cannot avoid a sewing project intended for someone other than herself, it becomes a S.W.A.G project – Sewing With A Grudge. We’ll do it, but there’s grudge sewn into every stitch. (Sometimes love too, depending on whether you are a mildly Selfish Seamstress or a full out egomaniacal B like yours truly, but always at least a tiny bit of grudge.)
And so I find myself with the holidays approaching, up to my ears in work at my job, with few precious hours for sewing. I’m putting myself on a strict diet of S.W.A.G., namely something-as-yet-undetermined for my non-sewing mother, and cowl sweaters for my non-sewing sisters. Maybe I’ll finish the brown cotton velvet sport coat I started for Dan back in 2007. (Selfish? Check!) If I absolutely must sew for myself, I am only permitted to finish stuff that’s already in progress- no new selfish sewing until the presents are done.
I’ve already bought some sweater knit for the cowls, a charcoal gray for one sister, and a dark army green for the other. Unfortunately I couldn’t find anything as soft and pretty as the teal knit I found in Switzerland, but they’re not bad. I suppose I could give one of them the one I just finished for myself with the teal and just
Haha, did I have you going there for a sec? Seriously.
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November 17, 2009 at 10:05 am
Karin
Lucky sisters. That sweater looks great. I bet they will love a version of that. With our without grudges :-D
November 17, 2009 at 11:00 am
spottedroo
Ha ha ha. I am afraid I am a more-selfish-than-I’d-like-to-admit seamstress. Summer skirt for my best friend? Still haven’t put in the zipper. Pants for husband? Still in stash. Dress for my mom? Still not muslined. Kudos for actually sewing for the holidays. I’m thinking I’ll just buy them things.
November 17, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Emily
I am forcing myself to sew the pants I promised DH like two years ago. Plus the shirts he keeps asking for. Grr….
November 17, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Mimi
ha ha ha…S.W.A.G.
That fits my present state of mind but following through is not always easy. I did bite the selfish bullet and completed a pair of jeans for myself…me me me. For once something just for ME!!!! Of course my daughter came home from college and noticed them and said…I’d like a pair. My response…
bite me :-D
November 17, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Weaverbec
I just found your blog site, and I love it. I had no idea there is a name for me. I too, am a selfish seamstress, and proud of it! Keep up the beautiful work. :)
November 17, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Mary A
Just found your site too and really like it. I don’t offer or agree to do projects for others for this exact reason! I do sew stuff for my kids, and occasionally stuff for friends kids, but only because they are small projects that finish fast! Only once sewed for an adult and she was so damn picky that I refuse to do it again.
Would you be so kind as to provide the source for your sweater knits? I am having a damn time finding them and have a few patterns waiting for the perfect sweater knit….
November 18, 2009 at 3:53 pm
selfishseamstress
Hi Mary- I have to say, the sweater knits (excepting the one I got in Switzerland) are not the greatest. I got them at Fabricland, which is a big commercial chain like Jo-ann or Hancock’s. The only places I’ve seen sweater knits online are Gorgeous Fabrics and Emma One Sock. They’re not cheap, unfortunately. Even the stuff I got which is acrylic/poly/rayon was something like $22 per meter (but I caught them on a 40% off sale).
November 18, 2009 at 9:26 am
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November 18, 2009 at 12:42 pm
amber
Yeah, no giving away that teal sweater! That’s not even funny!
November 18, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Mary A
Thank you- I’d be so scared to cut into fabric that expensive!
November 23, 2009 at 9:51 am
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November 26, 2009 at 9:26 am
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March 6, 2010 at 6:03 am
Denise C
Ha. I just realised when trying to explain to a friend about SWAG and what it stands for that it could also be Sewing Without Any Gain…
Keep doing what you’re doing – I’m loving the ride.
April 7, 2010 at 10:45 am
Wendy
Wait. Wait! I sew things for all of my family (especially when they’re not sure they want IT), ’cause I want people to share my vision. “C’mon family, live in my world.” Oh, wait. That does makes me seem, sort of, selfish. (deep breath one. Deep breath two.) So, I’ve got these great projects I’m working on. All 18th century. Well, one is 19th, but. And I just finished the false rump for . . . .
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