Girl of a different Era

Looking back on life often brings mixed feelings. All the fond memories come rushing back… you’re struck with how fast time sometimes flies. And yet amidst the flying weeks and months are days that roll by slowly, each filled with its own challenges and victories. 

It’s with a feeling of joy that I can look back on this crazy apprenticeship adventure and realize it has been two years. Two years since I packed up the life I knew in NY, and went to live and learn in a far away state called Missouri.

Last summer I wrote a blog post about how my first year went and some of the highlights of those 12 months ( https://girlofadifferentera.com/2022/07/22/looking-back-on-my-first-year-as-a-apprentice/ ). This year I want to do something much the same way, but with a twist. I want to share with you four of the biggest ways my sewing skills and personal life have grown and changed!

1. Gaining Understanding and Knowledge of Garment Construction

Reading patterns and trying to decipher what they meant, I toiled over new and confusing projects when I first started. It seemed to fill half of my sewing time. I still remember this one 1940s blouse. I think I spent a whole afternoon trying to understand the ‘facing’. It was a frustrating struggle and one I wished I could conquer.  After working in my apprenticeship for 2 years, I have learned how so many pieces go together and how each decade has basic similar rules for their garment construction. This alone has been a huge game changer in my own sewing. There are definitely still things that stump me, but I am relieved to say they are much fewer. Learning through a hands-on immersive experience has really fueled my skill and confidence when it comes to tackling the newest project!

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Gaining Self Confidence                                                                                                          

In a similar way, I have realized that my self confidence has grown greatly. I used to dread meeting strangers, and I would often have great difficulty talking to them because of my painful shyness. Now I find myself enjoying meeting new people, sharing stories and learning about them in return. I still have flare ups of that shyness, but more often than not, I find myself enjoying an extroverted personality.

This change, I’m sure, is a combined effect from my apprenticeship, living on my own, and the opportunities both of those give me to step out of my comfort zone and meet new people. Somehow each unknown intimidating situation that I have had to face seems to have brought me a step more of confidence. You’d never know it at the moment. Somehow that next time after facing something similar, you know how to handle it a little better, because you got through it once!

2. Understanding Era Appropriate Fabric; Fiber, Style, and Print.

I knew very little, if nothing at all, about what fibers and prints should be used for which era. A floral seemed like a floral, and polyester fabric seemed a ready option (insert cringe). Little did I know just how much I would learn. Now trust me, sometimes it’s still kinda confusing, but I understand it all so much better. Like what prints would have been worn in the 1780s, 1860s, and 1940s, to name just some popular decades. This alone adds so much authenticity to a garment. Giving it the original charm and of course historical accuracy. 

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Understanding and Embracing my Individual Style

As I continue to grow personally, I see that, just like fabrics, everyone was designed with their own individual style and print. It’s something a lot of people try to hide as they strive to fit in and be liked. I’m not trying to guilt anyone here. These same pressures used to really put a strain on me and occasionally still do. In fact, standing out and being different used to be very scary for me. As I grow though, and embrace the woman God created me to be, I see that being different is a beautiful and empowering thing. In fact, in the Bible we are even called to be different  John 15:18-19. As you probably know I dress vintage most of the time and that is an obvious way to be different. I also wear a headcovering of some kind. Now not everyone will like it, but that’s really their problem. I’m not harming anyone and through my fashion journey I have found the styles that make me feel the most beautiful and original. I’m not saying you need to dress vintage. I’m saying you should explore your own style, both in dress and in your personality and hobbies!

Under the encouragement of my teacher and friends, I continue on the journey that was specially carved for me. Am I a weirdo?  Sure, to some people, but to the people who count, that has never been a problem. 

3. Mastering Hand Sewing

I remember clearly how absolutely impossible a slip-stitch seemed when I was sewing the binding onto my first pair of stays. This winter I made a second pair, and it was quite rewarding to tackle that same stitch with no sweat or tears involved. For me, seeing something in person is so much easier to grasp than reading book instructions or even watching youtube videos. Over the past two years I have learned many different hand stitches and have sewn a gazillion invisible hems (well maybe more like thirty lol). It is absolutely fascinating how the different techniques yield amazing results! How sometimes stitching can almost disappear. Sewing machines are very useful, but they can never do quite what a certain historical stitching technique can!

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Being Led by the Lord’s Hand

 Many trades like carpentry and farming have in lots of ways allegories to the spiritual life. I think sewing should be on that list. I can’t help but feel that is how the Lord has been working with me since I was young, and even more over the past 2 years. He works slowly pulling things together, invisibly by hand, and slowly turning the flat piece of fabric into a standing garment. It must be how He works with all of us. There have been times when loneliness and discouragement crowd my mind. Times when I felt like asking was all this trouble worth it? But in those times I remember how much I prayed about my future and how miraculous the hand of God moved in my life presenting me with such an exciting opportunity. He has brought me here; He will always bring me through, and He will lead me on! Through His leadership I can become stronger and more firm in my faith!

4. Fitting a Garment Properly

A step deeper into sewing that intimidates most of us is learning how to properly fit a garment. This is something that is especially tricky for those garments that are very shaped. It’s a skill that I have been learning all throughout these past two years with Ensembles of the Past. Sewing beautifully sculpted evening gowns and well fitted day dresses takes a lot of work. It’s more than just taking up the shoulders or tucking in the waist. Often it requires multiple mockups (trial runs with cheap fabric), and lots of patience, but it always, always pays off! It’s really a skill that can make your sewing go from 3 to 10! 

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Finding my Fit

A supportive environment is one of the biggest blessings of life. Through my apprenticeship I have worked with and met so many beautiful encouraging people who have inspired me. My friends and family at home and my teacher and friends out here, who all want me to succeed. Filled with the knowledge that so much support is behind me, I have been pushed to strive hard and grow. In the midst of joy and struggles, I have found a home somewhere in between. Friends who I can lean on and the Lord above who has put me right where I am.

It was a miracle that I ended up living 1000 miles from home, learning in a one of a kind school! In a way, everything I have done out here is part of that miracle. The future may be uncertain, but I know I’m so glad to be here. And I’m so excited for the 3rd year of my apprenticeship! I know if it’s anything like the last two, it will be amazingly unforgettable!!!

-Mindy Moyer