There are two types of making that I do: things I make for
myself, that I concept, design and build, and things I make (sew, specifically)
for other people. Lately I’ve been doing that latter, doing sewing alterations
and commissions for other people. Right now, I’m making a pair of curtains for
someone else.
Even though I have to give away the final product, sometimes this is the most therapeutic type of making because, since it’s
not my design, my design brain can rest and my making brain (and hands) can be
most engaged.
The problems are different. Instead of asking myself 'how do
I want this to look?' I ask, 'how can I make this work?' With some Internet
searching and problem solving, I can usually fix any problem I come up against.
It feels so good!
Another problem it fixes: sometimes when I make things for
myself, I get in a rut and start making the same things. I use the same
processes, because they are the ones I am use to and know will work. But when I
make something for someone else, they often ask me to make something I have
never made before or add details that I have never tried. I love the challenge
of this and I always learn something
new that I never would have otherwise.
It feels great when I look at the finished product and get instant feedback
and visual confirmation that I successfully figured out a problem. It's also a great feeling you get when you hand over the finished product and it is
exactly what the person wanted. Those feelings are addicting.
If you want to learn new skills and make other people (and
yourself) happy as you go, I would suggest making some things for friends,
family or anyone else who has a need. Their input will first make you nervous
because you don’t know how, then excited to fix the problem, then ecstatic once
you finish. I want to do it more. Any requests? -Alice
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