6 Ways Sewing Has Changed My Brain Chemistry

Learning to sew gives you the chance to create a wardrobe full of clothes that fit you and your style, but sewing also has so many positive mental benefits!

In the world of sewing patterns, we find an incredible opportunity to problem-solve, exercise patience, embrace our bodies, ignite our creativity, and appreciate the craftsmanship behind our clothes.

I want to talk about how sewing has changed my brain chemistry for the better.

1. Willingness to Pivot

I’m not talking about creating sharp corners with the pivot technique here, but rather pivoting the sewing plan when something goes awry. Sewing is all about problem-solving; sometimes that comes with a willingness to adapt to finish a sewing project.

You know the times when you buy just the right amount of fabric, but then you lay out your pattern and you realize you’re off by 4″? You could quit and skip making whatever you were planning on creating, or you can pivot and find a solution. Maybe you make the hem shorter, or you lose a ¼” on the seam allowance or ditch the sleeves. Or if you have more determination than me, you’d head back to your fabric store and grab a little more fabric.

There are times when I’ve had to get super creative, especially if I’m working with something thrifted. I’ve added godets in the side seams to add width, converted linings into facings, and patchwork-ed fabric to make a pattern work.

Sewing has changed my brain to see a problem and think of all the different ways I can solve it. Even if a project doesn’t work in the end, at least I learned a new technique and stretched my sewing skills.

2. Patience

I’m a pretty patient person at heart, but I believe sewing has increased my patience even further.

I’ve learned to patiently seam rip out stubborn stitches because I found if I go fast, I’ll likely get a hole. There are times I accept that seam ripping is the best solution to create the best possible garment and convince myself to do it. Honestly, though, I probably would’ve skipped it and moved along in the past, but now I crave higher craftsmanship from my projects.

My brain has learned that slow and thoughtful sewing saves me from stupid mistakes and provides the best results. Though sometimes, I’m still sewing foot pedal to the metal when I wanna whip something up real quick. But if I’m making something I intend to wear all the time, I’ll take my time.

Every misaligned seam, tuck, or broken needle is an opportunity to practice patience. Sewing has encouraged my brain to be patient when I want great results.

3. Body Acceptance

I know many people start sewing because they can’t find their size or clothes that truly fit in the typical stores. Me too! Even though my body is very much in the standard, ready-to-wear range, I rarely find clothes that flatter my body in regular shops.

Sewing empowers us to create garments that perfectly fit our unique shapes and sizes. Thanks to this, I fell in love with sewing and making clothes that fit me. Not thanks to this, I have an enormous list of sewing patterns that I want to sew and do not have time to make.

To make sure my garment fits me right when I finish sewing it, I focus on taking accurate body measurements and checking them against the given size chart. I make sure to breathe normally and relax while taking the measurement. It can be helpful to measure without looking directly at the numbers, then hold the measurement between your fingers and check once the measuring tape is off your body. This forces you to measure without trying to transform your body to fit into a certain number.

The better I take my measurements, the more likely I enjoy the final garment.

Body changes are so normal, but it can be disheartening when something you spent time making no longer fits. I’ve taken to repurposing those projects into new ones. You can also donate them to friends or try an app, like Lucky Sweater, to exchange them with someone else. That way, your loved pieces find a new loving home.

Sewing has taught me to embrace my current size and make clothes for the body I have.

4. Creativity

I started sewing about 15 years ago, thanks to a sewing machine Christmas gift. Thanks, Mom and Dad. After struggling to sew a “quick-sew” dress on my own, my Mom found a private sewing class that ignited my passion for sewing.

The woman who runs the class, shout-out to Nancy from the Sewing Attic, let each student choose their project, and simply guided them through each step. I wanted to learn everything! I started with the normal patterns, but then I wanted to make my own patterns. Nancy taught me how to pattern draft and drape. From then on, my sewing excitement was unleashed.

You don’t need to be a pattern maker to be creative in the sewing world. The fabric, buttons, zippers, topstitching, and pattern modifications you decide on are all creative choices. That’s why a sewing pattern can look so different from person to person. Everyone puts their unique spin on it and makes it their own!

Sewing has pushed my creativity and given me an outlet to channel my creative ideas.

5. Appreciation

Sewing our own clothes offers us a window into the world of garment construction. As we follow pattern instructions, we gain a profound appreciation for the craftsmanship and skill required to create the clothes we wear. Understanding how clothes are made can make us more conscious consumers, leading to greater respect for the fashion industry and a desire to support sustainable and ethical practices.

When I walk into a store like Zara, I can immediately find loose threads, janky zippers, and fraying hems. But I know the people who made those clothes had nowhere near as much time as I do when I sit down to make a sewing pattern.

Once you begin sewing, you realize how much effort goes into every single item of clothing. This forces us to think about how a dress can be sold for $10 when that’s barely enough to cover the cost of fabric.

Often, sewing and sustainability go hand in hand. You realize the value, time, and effort behind each item, and suddenly, the clothes at fast fashion stores don’t look so good.

Sewing has taught me to appreciate quality craftsmanship.

6. Challenge and Change

I’ve been sewing for 15 ish years, and today was the first time I used a twin needle! This year was the first time I used a serger and only the second time I’ve sewn welt pockets. I also just sewed my first front fly zipper!

Sewing patterns continuously challenge us to expand our skill set. Each new project can introduce us to unfamiliar techniques, from new seam finishes to front fly zippers. We keep our passion for sewing alive and thriving by pushing our boundaries and learning new skills.

This commitment to growth extends to our personal lives as we become more open to embracing new experiences and opportunities outside the sewing room.

How has sewing changed my brain?

Sewing is more than just creating cute clothes. Sewing patterns are a gateway to personal growth and self-expression. Each pattern comes with challenges, and each one is an opportunity to adapt, slow down, accept our bodies, appreciate our craftsmanship, ignite our creativity, and learn something new. Whether you are a pro seamstress or just getting started, we can all enjoy the positive brain-altering effects of sewing.

That’s all from me! Happy sewing!

Best,