A lot has been on my mind with regards to the “blog world” lately. After attending both SNAP and Quilt Market in a months time I found myself really thinking (and somewhat confused) about what makes a good blog, and what direction I want my blog to go. I think right now there are two basic types of blog content (at least for DIY blogs) the quick, easy fast idea (aka Pinterest friendly) and the more involved tutorial driven content. I’ve been stuck for a long time deciding which direction I want to go. On one hand the quick, fast easy drives traffic to your site… on the other had I’ve always felt the need to produce quality more technique and time consuming projects. Which is not to say that quick projects are not high in quality… because they are – it’s just a question to me of how involved a to get with a project for my blog. (5 steps, 10 steps, 20 steps?)
I’ve sat on this “fence” between the two for over a year now. I love to sit down and write out a long tutorial to share with you guys, or talk about the dress I made for my daughter or the bag that I made that I’m really proud of. The problem with those type of posts is I usually hear “crickets” after I post them. Not many comments (yes, I know those days are long gone) and not too many pins, as that type of content is usually not Pinterest friendly. I could also talk all day about the stress of wondering if someone else has already written up a tutorial for the idea, and not wanting to take anything away from someone else’s hard work.
I have come to the conclusion (finally) that blogs need both types of content. In my opinion the fast, quick easy stuff brings you traffic (which you NEED if you want to work your blog as a business) and the more involved content builds your reputation.
Why am I telling you all of this??? Well….
This month I started to get really burned out… the desire to create was still there, but the desire to sit down and write up a 20 step tutorial was fading, and fast. I spend most of the month trying to figure out what was “wrong”. Teaching (and hopefully inspiring) others to MAKE something has always been one of my passions. Which is why I love blogging so much.
Then it dawned on me part of what was missing… Selfish Sewing.
What’s that you ask? Well in my opinion its the type of sewing that you sit down and do just for fun. You know, the house is quiet, you’ve got a free afternoon (whaat?? how’d that happen?) and you just want to make something. I’ve shied away from this type of sewing lately because it’s not always a good fit (from an editorial perspective) for a blog. Plus I’m usually dealing with a deadline and once you throw in a deadline, it’s not selfish sewing anymore. In addition, most of the projects I want to make involve using someone else’s pattern and therefore don’t really lend themselves to a tutorial.
So in the interest of my own sanity… I’ve decided to start a “selfish sewing” series on my blog, and save Sunday evenings for “fun” or gift only sewing.. no blog projects. Every couple of weeks I’ll pop in here and just tell you what I’m making. What my works in progress are (WIP’s), my ideas and inspirations. (btw… I didn’t coin the phrase selfish sewing, and I don’t know who did, if I did, I’d be happy to link up to them to give them credit)
In case you’re wondering, YES I am still planning on sharing lots of free tutorials in the future, this content is in addition to what I’m already posting. It’s just a nice way for me to share a bit more about my creative process with you and hopefully rebuild (and preserve) my own creative spirit in the process…
So let’s start!
My oldest daughter is headed off to London to study this summer, and I admit I’m totally jealous! Seriously, why can’t Moms go on Study Abroad?? *wink*. She’s in need of a few simple skirts to wear to church this summer, easy layers as she’ll be riding the tube on Sundays. I bought this great anchor chambray fabric and I’m excited to make up the Everyday Skirt from Liesel Gibson out of it. I spent most of the week taping up and printing off PDF patterns, now I’m ready to start sewing.
Next up for MYSELF (bahhhhahhhah) is this metro t-shirt. I’ve decided to venture out on a limb and do a contrast yoke on it. With a contrast yoke, I realized that one Liberty of London fat quarter is the exact size I need for the rest of the front of the shirt. This realization caused me to FINALLY cut up some of my Liberty fabric. Hoping to get this one done this weekend. I’ll be sure to share with you how it turns out.
and lastly, 3 summers ago I started a Summer Pinwheel quilt (there are a few images of it in progress above). I’ve gotten to the point of having all of the HST trimmed up. I’m using Denyse Schmidt’s fabric that I picked up at Joann’s a while ago. I love the red, white and blue together, it just feels perfect for summer. My goal is to get it pieced and quilted before the summer’s over….
So that’s what I’m working on? What about you? Any selfish sewing projects in your future?
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Karen N says
June 13, 2014 at 4:26 PMGood for you! Sewing isn’t just a hobby, it isn’t just a way to pass time, and it’s not a subject for a blog. It’s about creating and the entire process. It’s SUPPOSED to be fun! It’s SUPPOSED to be enjoyable! If taking a step back to create your own “selfish” projects is what it takes to keep it from being a chore then that’s what you need to do.
And I love that anchor fabric!
Melissa Mortenson says
June 16, 2014 at 1:20 PMThanks, sometimes I need to remind myself of that very thing!
Mandy @ Sugar Bee Crafts says
June 13, 2014 at 5:47 PMgreat post! content is always such a balance!!
Brita says
June 14, 2014 at 7:14 AMKnow what? I think you’ve got it! I personally love seeing what others are working on. My granddaughter just returned from studying in Denmark, so I recognize the feeling of wishing I could have gone along for the adventure 🙂
Melissa Mortenson says
June 16, 2014 at 1:19 PMoh lucky girl! I’ve never been to Denmark but I’ve heard such good things about it.. it’s on my “someday” list for sure!
Caroline says
June 14, 2014 at 8:00 AMSounds like a great plan! Enjoy your sewing that is just for you 🙂
Sheila Perl says
June 14, 2014 at 8:13 AMI do tons of sewing for charity and I really enjoy that but I realize now that I miss the “selfish sewing” or just for fun part!!
Your blog today really touched a chord with me , thank you!!
I have a zillion purses and pouches on my Pinterest board……that is going to be my project this weekend, I’m going to make a purse pouch to hold all the stuff in my purse that will make it easy to take out and put into another purse!!! And who knows maybe I will make a purse for myself, too 🙂
Melissa Mortenson says
June 16, 2014 at 1:18 PMGood luck!! I’m glad that I’ve inspired you!
Dyann says
June 14, 2014 at 3:32 PMI read your blog every time you blog….and I LOVE YOUR BLOG!!! I would really miss it if you stopped. I don’t usually comment and I really should start giving feedback, I didn’t know it was important….. I think your blog is one of the most well rounded, inspiring and informative blogs out there 🙂 Adding a “selfish sewing” blurb is totally genius, it shares with us the things you like to do just for you and your family….that is why we love your blog…we love your ideas and tutorials so we CAN do selfish sewing!
Melissa Mortenson says
June 16, 2014 at 1:17 PMOh you are so sweet! Thank you so much- I do work really hard to keep things varied and well rounded… I really like having a balance of projects on my blog, and I really do enjoy writing it. Thanks so much for saying “hi”!
aCreativeEngineerInNevada says
June 14, 2014 at 3:54 PMI love this idea and have started to do it also. I have a pair of shorts for ME started even. My other small project I will post on the blog when I am done.
Oh, and a skirt for me is next on my To Do List and I love the anchor fabric. Any idea who the maker is?
Melissa Mortenson says
June 16, 2014 at 1:16 PMYep, It’s Sarah Jane Fabrics – if you google “out to sea” you should be able to find someone that has it in stock
Rachel says
June 16, 2014 at 9:04 AMBOY! I was just sitting yesterday doing a whole lot of nothing, thinking I just want to make something. How timely. And I agree. I think your blog should be both. I love my pinterest projects, but many don’t tend to have a lot of “meat” to them. I think you hit the nail on the head with mixing. Many “quick” project bloggers are one hit wonders that you follow only to find that they never post again.
Love your stuff, keep up the good work!
Melissa Mortenson says
June 16, 2014 at 1:14 PMThanks so much.. I do that too!- sit around a lot too thinking I should do something– most of the time I don’t *wink*, or just can’t decide what I want to make…. Thanks for you kind comments!
Lisa C says
June 16, 2014 at 1:00 PMI read several blogs (I get yours via email) during the week while I’m having lunch. I particularly like when you sew garments even though I don’t do it myself. I’m solely a quilter. I hate that you hear crickets after taking such a long time to write a tutorial or post. I enjoy blog reading but rarely comment. Partly because if i ask a simple question (not for a tutorial on something), I rarely get a reply and partly because on some bloggers you have to go back to their post to see their reply. I do acknowledge that many bloggers send a comment even if I just type “Wow!”, which I appreciate (but I don’t think it’s necessary). So thank you for all of the time and energy that goes into each and every post. You make my lunch hours so enjoyable!
Melissa Mortenson says
June 16, 2014 at 1:12 PMThank you so much. It’s so nice to hear that what I’m doing is resonating with people. I think a lot of people (including myself) read blogs on phones now, which makes commenting kinda hard… I have to admit that I’m not the best blog commenter either, so I shouldn’t complain *wink*— Enjoy your lunch!!! Melissa
Marcie says
June 24, 2014 at 8:54 AMI have to say that I love your blog. I also folldow you on Pinterest, but never comment. Not just on your blog, but any because I’m just that kind of person. I totally agree with you on needing to do both. I do love the Pinterest posts, but I often find I am looking for a detailed tutorial while searching on Pinterest , so I am glad you do both. I’ve been doing lots of sewing for other people lately, and really miss that selfish sewing, because that’s what makes it fun. It seems like you can add those little details that make something extra special that others may not appreciate because of cost. I just may do some of that this week (after I finish the baby blankets for a church service project). I also can’t wait to see your pinwheel quilt. I have many of those same fabrics, sitting in my basement waiting to be turned into a 4th of July quilt . . . for next year of course.
Hellie's Corner says
June 30, 2014 at 2:21 AMGood for you. I have written up a few how to tutorials and while I love doing them, I find having to remember to stop and photograph every stage does get in the way of just getting down and sewing. BTW I love pinning from tutorials, but probably just the final photo of the finished garment. Happy selfish sewing.
scrap car St Albans says
July 24, 2014 at 2:00 AMWhy viewers still make use of to read news papers when in this technological globe everything is available on net?
Elizabeth says
August 4, 2014 at 3:49 PMOkay, I am also a non-comment type of reader. I enjoy your ideas and tutorials, and am an advocate of selfishness within the hobby/passion hemisphere! Often there is not enough time in a day to honor what brings you joy.
Melissa Mortenson says
August 12, 2014 at 11:34 AMThank you so much… and thanks for “saying hello”!