Monday, February 22, 2010

Nothing more humbling.

So today was a great day for me, as you all know. Being featured on cjane has changed my blog and my work forever, and I am so grateful for this opportunity to show my work to a national audience.

I think I was skipping to school today. This morning was all a blur as I thanked my lucky stars for this chance. 

Then I went to meet with my sewing teacher, the Doc, about my evening gown I am designing for my senior capstone. I had sewn part of the bodice last night in my fashion fabric which i LOVE to death. I was just on a cjane high as i went into her office. She took one look at my bodice and said:

"You didn't even interface the neckline."

"I thought i interfaced the facing...?"

"NO. the bodice. you interface the bodice. who cares about the facing? interface the bodice. interface the bodice."

"oh. ok. so should i just--"

"--and you didnt even stay-stitich the neckline! what is wrong with you, ellen?"

Now, if this sounds harsh, that's because it is. the Doc is known for her rough and toughness,a no bull-crap approach to sewing and teaching, which i highly appreciate simply because i know that she is a great teacher and is merely preparing me for the real world. She has made me cry several times, especially when i took advanced sewing from her and made this empire waisted coat:



Now i know the coat looks cheery, but the class was full of tears and doubts as i came home and let go of all my frustration and self pity to my husband, the poor guy. 

But I'm convinced that its this kind of teacher, the hard-on-you-you-have-no-excuses kind of teacher that you thank later on. Because they didnt take any crap, means that you were worth their time, and in a weird, indirect way, they believed in your talent enough to invest their time, and they expect so much more than a student forgetting to stay-stitch and interface the bodice. 

I can only hope to be as a good of a seamstress as the Doc someday. 



Thanks for all my new readers, C!

Anyone who is interested in me making them an article of clothing, please email me at 

couturegirlellen@gmail.com
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12 comments:

  1. michael annFebruary 22, 2010 at 12:57 PM

    i just found you through cjane and had to comment because i too am a sewing major at byu and have shed many a tear because of our favorite doctor ;] that is so awesome that you're doing an evening gown with her, i'm in the advanced sewing class right now and can't wait to be done fitting so i can make some slopers!! keep up the good work, your petal sleeve dresses are beyond cute :]

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  2. Sassy Salsa girlFebruary 22, 2010 at 1:05 PM

    I found you through cjane as well. I had no idea that sewing was a major. That is totally awesome! I am going to have to look into it. :D

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  3. Q&ZFebruary 22, 2010 at 1:55 PM

    Also.. from CJane. I am in love with your sewing skills and will pinch my little student pennies so that I can request something beautiful from you soon. (Can you ship to Canada?)
    Inspiring, keep up the good work :)

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  4. queenieweenieFebruary 22, 2010 at 2:33 PM

    so proud...so, so VERY proud. i read cjane almost everyday! so excited for you girl.

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  5. saraFebruary 22, 2010 at 3:01 PM

    hi! I just came over from cjane too! I graduated from BYU in FLHE about 6 years ago. Is the dr. you're referring to Dr. Burnham? It sounds exactly like I remember her! Ah, the tears! I seriously love that woman though! My favorite line from her was, "I sew everything I wear, except for my jeans. I let the Gap make them." Tell her hello for me! :)
    Love your blog and sewing adventures! I'm definitely bookmarking it!

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  6. emi.February 22, 2010 at 5:12 PM

    Dr. Burnham is one of my favorite teachers ever. Love that lady.

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  7. Sundance KidFebruary 22, 2010 at 5:22 PM

    I too found you from CJane. :D How wonderful for you to have this opportunity with her! You seem so talented! I wish I had your passion and talent with sewing. Sigh. I'll just live vicariously through you and others like you!

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  8. Staci at Craftify It !February 22, 2010 at 5:55 PM

    LOVE your work! CJane is kind to feature you...but you are also kind to make her some CUTE postpartum dresses. I wish you were around after my last babe! I can't WAIT to see what you come up with...beautiful, no doubt.

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  9. boho girlFebruary 22, 2010 at 8:40 PM

    i am in love with your designs.
    yum.
    xo

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  10. MaddyFebruary 23, 2010 at 9:33 AM

    wow- you get a lot of blogging traffic when you feature on cjane! i am considering moving to provo and majoring in sewing stuff and the like just so i can feature!

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  11. KjrstenFebruary 23, 2010 at 9:41 PM

    Hey Ellen,

    Congrats on new and exciting things!

    And I can't wait to see this evening gown in all of it's glory!

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  12. JaneMay 11, 2010 at 1:32 PM

    Okay, so I'm reading back in your old posts and this cracked me up. I took beginning and intermediate sewing at BYU and I totally know what you mean about "the Doc" (though I never had her for a class I was nervous whenever she came into our labs...) Also, I feel like I will never forget the "INTERFACE THE GARMENT, NOT THE FACING!!!" mantra that was drilled into us...haha.

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