Inspiration vs. Reality: A Pinterest Board Case Study

I recently returned from the American Evaluation Association Conference in Washington, DC, so now you get to hear some nerdy introspective titles like the one above. But more importantly, I thought it was time to take a step back and evaluate some of my sewing inspiration. Here is the case study:

First, take a look at my sewing inspiration board on Pinterest. Over on quarter (26 percent) of my inspiration pins contain dresses or skirts. You could probably say the same thing (if not more) about florals, things that are shiny, meant for hot weather, or aren't wearable to work. My outfit inspiration board is slightly more filled with wearable basics, but also even more guilty of dresses and florals (39 percent!).

But what do I wear in everyday life? Pants so that I can ride my bicylce! Jackets and long-sleeves because it's chilly in the fog! Work clothes, because that's where I spend over half of my waking life! And then when I do go out, I'm digging around for that perfect cute top and jacket. *Sigh* I think this situation can aptly be described by the following graphic:


Of course, this discussion has been much had in the literature (other blogs) about the difference between sewing cake and frosting and so forth. And personally, I struggle with the idea that just because you can make something doesn't mean you should make something. As I slowly move toward an attempt to sew rather than buy all of my clothes, I'm increasingly finding the need to distinguish what I will really make use of, and what will only be worn once to that special occasion. I have been slowly improving over the past few years, but much more boring basics sewing is in the works.

Does anyone out there have a sewing mantra that helps keep you on track? Personally I think I might start a "work outfits" inspiration board and maybe a "casual outfits" inspiration board to remind myself what I'm pinning inspiration for in the first place! I've also got some good inspiration for tops, pants, jackets and more for fall that I will throw up here later this week :)

11 comments:

  1. This made me laugh. My pinterest boards give me underachiever's anxiety. BUT.... I think I do have better style since PInterest came around. I try harder to be creative when I get dressed for work in the morning. This season was supposed to be about sewing basics but I keep chickening out about making my jeans.... Thankfully I will probably have job interviews in the winter so it will light a fire under my ass to get cracking on more office attire.

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  2. Pinterest is such an interesting phenomenon. I totally understand the problem of aspiration versus reality, but thankfully I've never really had a problem with that. I tend to really think about the clothes I need for my life and sew those garments that seem to be missing or that are approaching the end of their life. So, the clothes I make are totally boring, but they get a lot of wear. Sometimes I feel like I should search for inspiration and have more fun with my sewing!

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  3. Pinterest is such an interesting phenomenon. I totally understand the problem of aspiration versus reality, but thankfully I've never really had a problem with that. I tend to really think about the clothes I need for my life and sew those garments that seem to be missing or that are approaching the end of their life. So, the clothes I make are totally boring, but they get a lot of wear. Sometimes I feel like I should search for inspiration and have more fun with my sewing!

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  4. i stay away from pinterest most of the time unless i'm gathering specific ideas (it always leaves me feeling terribly inadequate...). i think there's nothing wrong in being inspired by styles we love, but don't necessarily fit into our real lives because you can always take the impractical inspiration to add fun details to the "boring basics" i.e. add a sequin pocket to a grey tee, or make a button down in a nice floral. i'm a boring basics girl myself, so i'm totally with you on the inspiration vs. reality problem!

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  5. I find it hard to pick sewing patterns for that reason. I think I'm in the same situation. The truth is, if I wore something like the 'what I think I'll wear' outfit, I would stick out like a sore thumb. Everyone where I live dresses more like you in the 'what I actually wear'.

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  6. Same here, and I also have this problem with buying fabrics. I buy the fabrics that look so pretty to my eyes, but forget that I would feel so awkward wearing them.

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  7. I know exactly what you are saying. I'm not a dresses kind of gal, and yet I have SO many dress patterns after I see all of these wonderful frocks sewn up on the blogs. But, probably best to sew what you are actually going to wear. Rather than take the time and have it hang in your closet until a 'special' occasion.

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  8. I did this a lot when I began sewing. At some point I realised it was costing me more money to sew all these things I didn't really wear which was worse than going out and buying clothes that I would wear.
    Now I guess my budget has changed (and by changed I mean dropped to near zero) so all fabrics and patterns are now precious. I shop with a list, I sketch out what I will make with the fabrics as soon as I buy them and then I put them up on my blog to make sure I follow through ona all the things I had planned.
    All the best with your serious sewing!

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  9. I know exactly what you mean! What I love and am drawn to is very different than what I wear on a day to day basis. Because I'm also trying to update my wardrobe AND have it be handmade, I'm overly conscious of trying to buy items that I know I'll wear and yet are also my style. I won't buy/make something if I can't see myself wearing. And all the fancy dresses I make I force myself to wear to work so I don't feel so awful about spending time/money/energy/etc. I may be terribly over dressed most days, but I'm okay with that! ;-)

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  10. OMG!! I seriously over-analyze this fact daily. I dress nothing like my [super amazing] style inspiration Pinterest board. It's the weirdest thing! And it's not like it's any more difficult to dress that way either... I still love Pinterest though.

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  11. I'm in the same boat with you, I like the idea of all these different clothes but 1.will it fit my silhouette correctly? 2. will I wear it? and 3. Do I have something already similar? These are my questions going into making things! Although it is nice to have that one random piece that adds a pop of color or pizazz!

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