This Studio Chat video is about anxiety. Nearly 1/5 of Americans have it and I suspect that creative people get it more often.
So I’m sure that many of you can relate to how I felt when I was overwhelmed to the point of quitting.
Last week I attended the popular women’s business conference Alt Summit in Palm Springs California. I’d never been to Palm Springs before and I loved it.
There is a unique mid-century modern vibe to the whole city – and beautiful flora!
But a few of the seminars really showed me how much I don’t know about blogging!
I have never ‘utilized analytics to formulate content strategy.’ Content what?
Sheesh – it literally almost made me give up.
With some good advice, bullet journaling (that’s fancy for making a lot of lists), and prayers I was able to recover from my anxiety.
Oh, and I wore my favorite Rifle Paper Company Keds!
Thanks for all the sweet comments that you have already left on the YouTube video. I’m so glad YOU don’t think I’m blogging wrong! ❤️
Sew an organizer covered with pockets that you can hang in your closet! This easy sewing project is great for organizing sewing and craft supplies, fashion accessories, bathroom necessities, gift wrappings, and more. There are pockets on both sides plus a big interior pocket so every bit of space is used. I’ll show you easy step by step instructions for sewing this organizer and putting it to use in your home. Get sew organized today.
Are you sewing a Closet Organizer with me? I hope so! This is Part 2 of our free sewing tutorial for an amazing organizer with a coat hanger inside so you can hang it anywhere.
If you are getting started, make sure you start at Part 1 of the free pattern.
Be a basketmaker! Sure, you can sew, but did you know that you can make amazing baskets too using your sewing machine, some fabric and the same materials that you use for your other projects?
Have you fallen in love with Quilt as You Go yet? It’s a fun technique for quilts, of course, but I’m having lots of fun using it for pouches and tote bags too.
I’m so excited to share with you the pattern for our first mini quilt of 2018… Flora! This beautiful little quilt was designed by the very talented Lauren of Molly & Mama…
At my daughter Chloe’s high school (can you believe my baby started high school???), the lunch lines are so long that she has been skipping lunch! She’s always starving by the time she gets home because she doesn’t want to carry a big lunch bag as well as her heavy backpack – poor girl!
Looking for free table runner patterns? I gathered up all my favorites in one place – here are free quilt patterns for table runners for fall, winter, spring and summer!
I am so in love with the beautiful look of simple patchwork quilts with lots of squares. This is the perfect way to use up fabric scraps like I did, or you can make a beautifully coordinated quilt with pre-cut 2 1/2’’ square fabric pieces that come in mini-charm packs.
I’m also in love with the process. If you feel like quilt making is your escape from the world and sitting down to sew for a few hours makes your troubles fade away… this is the quilt for you!
Sew an easy beautiful apron with this free sewing pattern that only uses one yard of fabric! Whether you are sewing for yourself or for a friend, an apron always comes in handy and makes a great gift. This blog post includes a link to a free template that I digitized for you.
Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. 🙂
This month your mini quilt wall is going to grow a little bit bigger and a lot cuter! Here’s your free mini quilt pattern for May… Criss Cross by Nadra Ridgeway.
A couple weeks ago I made a quick excited post to facebook about the dress/bag swap Sarah and I arranged, and there were so many positive comments and ‘likes’, that we thought everybody would like to see the end result….
I’m so excited to share with you the pattern for our first mini quilt of 2018… Flora! This beautiful little quilt was designed by the very talented Lauren of Molly & Mama…
There’s a fun new product that you may have seen at the craft store… iCraft Deco Foils. I saw them at Michaels near the paper crafting section, but guess what? They are amazing on fabric too!
This 6” square cosmetic pouch is simple, but looks gorgeous thanks to the Deco Foils, don’t you think? Plus, it closes with hook and loop tape (velcro) instead of a zipper. I love zippers, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes it’s fun to do something different.
Are you a fan of Japanese patchwork? I am. And Yoko Saito is one of my favorite quilt artists. She is famous for her beautiful, intricate patterns which I believe are all hand-pieced. I made a couple blocks out of this beautiful book and now I’ll show you…
31 Comments
I’m so glad you didn’t give up – and you’re NOT doing it wrong. You put wonderful information up on your blog. Thank you for your generosity and also for your courage in sharing xo Gail, Australia
I’m too, am glad you didn’t give up. I don’t think there’s a right or wrong way when it comes to blogging. I think there are just different styles, and that’s a good thing. It would be boring and unproductive if everyone blogged the same way. I happen to love your style of blogging and find it fun and easy to follow. Please, please keep going. I enjoy all the wonderful info and patterns you bring to us.
This really isn’t about any of your projects, but about your anxiety blog. As a retired educator of 30+ years, I used to get really out of sorts when I would go to a workshop or lecture on how to run a classroom, motivate students etc. One day I had a great epiphany…these were educators for educators…I’m an educator for students. I realized that what I was doing did not fit their concept of "perfect" teaching, but it worked for me and my students, and what gave them the right to decide they knew my students or subject better than I did? That’s my way of saying, you know your audience, your goals and what works for you. If I were you, I’d tell them "thank you for your input" and keep on doing what works for you. There is a reason I stay in touch with your site when I have dropped from several…you are a real person, doing real things for real sewers like me! Thank you for doing what you do so well! Charlotte
Caroline, I’m so glad you didn’t give up. You’re one of the few blogs that I visit regularly. You are generous with your tutorials and you make manageable projects. Keep it up!
Thank you for deciding to keep going. Yours is one of the blogs I read all the time. I love your projects and the studio chats. I get anxious at times and pray also. I will keep you in my prayers. Thank you for all you do. My mom watches you too (at 81!) and just made your pouch with Tula Pink fabric! Turned out great.
Wait, you mean there is a ‘right way and a wrong way’ to blog? News to me 🙂 Keep on keeping on I say and turn a very deaf ear to the nay sayers, many folk just do not have a great day unless they bring others down. hugs I am a High Functioning Autist and also have Social Anxiety on top of the Autism 😉 make for interesting bed fellows at times. Go for it I say and keep doing what you are doing, you are great just the way you are. People do have a choice on what they read or watch.
Caroline I love you just the way you are. I look forward to reading your blog everyday and enjoy all of it. Kudos to you for sharing your personal issues. I know it helps many of your followers. If you measure success by how much we love you, you’ve got it. You are the bomb dot com
Dear, dear Caroline. Honesty doesn’t have to be marketed. It shines through everything you do. You will attract viewers who are drawn to honesty and kindness.
One of the things I’ve always liked about your blogs is your humanness. You recount your successes and your failings. It makes me feel like I can accomplish your projects even though I’ve had a 15 year respite from sewing. As one who used to present and attend many conferences (and not in the realm of sewing and designing), my advice, for when we find ourselves in a “foreign land” where we have no idea what people are talking about, or in over our heads where we’re treading water just to keep up, is to keep breathing, take notes and know that we can pick and choose what works for us and what we might try to incorporate from all this new information. Blogging, branding, or marketing is not one size fits all.
Caroline, The best part of your blog is the easy going style. I am so impressed by the amount and depth of the information you provide. Your generosity and enthusiasm know no bounds and for that I am truly grateful. I am so glad you were able to work your way out of the anxiety. I applaud you for describing your experience as it will help others.
Love your blog! Love your content, projects, chats and you! I have struggled with anxiety my entire life as well. I appreciate your courage to share. You are the first newsletter I check in my email daily. Don’t change a thing unless it’s your idea! Peggy
Aw I am so bummed to hear your experience at Alt was not good (or at least this part of it!). I definitely know what you mean about the trendy, young vibe – I am overwhelmed just looking at pictures of that conference. Building a community and loving what you do is also a huge part of what makes a successful blog, I think, and you clearly do that super well!! Glad you were able to quash the thought of quitting for sure 🙂 I’m guessing not but if you’re going to SNAP conference next week please let me know, I’d love to meet you! It is a much more relaxed vibe!
Carolyn, I think you are such a lovely, real person. I am so sorry your went through such a distressing time. It did make me wonder if you had considered that you probably were not the only person sitting there who had self-doubts and felt the subject was way beyond them. You were just honest enough to admit it to yourself and the world. Bet there were a lot of others wondering what in the world they were doing there; but they just smiled, nodded knowingly, and moved on. You are obviously a very sensitive person. Thank you for using your unpleasant experience to reach out and help others.
Thank you for being so honest! We all have occasions to doubt ourselves. Know that I like you and the projects you present. I am not a seamstress but love to sew. My granddaughter (she is 8) and I have been sewing together for most of her life. You give us projects to make that look professional without being too difficult and most of all something she wants to make. Keep up the good work. Maybe back off a little, I like repeats. The people who are giving the seminars are paid to make you feel inadequate so you will buy their book.
I want you to know that your blog is the first one that I search for on my e-mail each morning. I have used many of your tutorials and love the content of your blog. In fact, I have eliminated several of the other blogs that I have followed in the past because your projects are so diverse and always have great tutorials and directions. Keep up the great work!!
"Beautiful people?" Look at your photos from the hospital with your flowers. You glow, even when on drugs and feeling puny:)
Anxiety and depression are just plain evil!!! They make you "see" things that are not so and make you believe the worst. They suck you into a pit that is hard to climb out of. No bueno!!!
I appreciate your blog, tutorials and emails. I only subscribe to 3 sewing newsletters and SCS is one:)
Your blog is one of my absolute favorites! I love the projects, the colors, the organization, the energy and more. Technology can be so useful and it can also drill down so far it takes the life and creativity out and over-systematizes. I feel a personal and creative connection when I visit your blog. I am motivated and stimulated by the projects. Is your blog working for you?! Because it is definitely working for me!!!
Dear Caroline, What a painful wake up call. I am sorry you went through that, but we always learn a little something from these stretching exercises. I enjoy your tutorials so much and I do not want to be played and strategized with. I am glad that you came out on the other side not giving up, and knowing that you are Enough!
I appreciate you and your website. Thank you for sharing about your anxiety. I have many times felt this way. We wouldn’t be on this site if we didn’t love your work. From your website, I have looked at many others and some I have followed but some I don’t but I always come back to yours.
Please don’t doubt yourself. You are doing and great job and doing it honestly and not with any motive other than to share your gift and that makes you a lovely person. Your the one doing it right. Never give up.
Keep on blogging just the way you are doing it. The speakers have to think up fancy, crazy ideas since they’re getting paid for it. And thanks for being transparent. I like your blog.
Don’t ever listen to that broken record in your head telling you to quit!!!!!! You have 9K followers and have been doing this for years. I check my email every day to see what you have for us, and I’m not the only one. You are not a failure. You are also an inspiration to those of us with depression/anxiety. If you have anxiety and can do this wonderful blog and sew all these beautiful things, maybe the rest of us can also achieve greatness. Don’t ever go away!
Thank you so much for not giving up your blog. I love the projects, the tutorials and the studio chats. Stay with what you know that works for you and those that follow you. You are not doing it wrong. It is your style and it works! Everyone has their own little methods that work for them, there is never just one way of doing anything. Keep on with the projects.
Thank you for your courage in sharing your struggles and uncomfortable truths. AND thank you for your strength in doing so much, sharing so much creative goodness, in spite of your struggles.
As someone challenged with depression and anxiety myself, I think you’re awesome, amazing, and inspiring. I, too, want to share my creativity with the world, but it’s all so overwhelming that I don’t even start, so I really admire you for doing it anyway. You’re lighting the way for others.
BTW, I suspect those big-time bloggers who “optimize SEO” have a paid assistant, staff, or whatever. Honestly, I prefer your charming, more authentic style. So thank you!
I’m so glad you didn’t give up – and you’re NOT doing it wrong. You put wonderful information up on your blog. Thank you for your generosity and also for your courage in sharing xo
Gail, Australia
I’m so glad you did not give up. I follow only 3 blogs and yours is one of them. I visit your sight most days. Sew for me you do it right!!! Thanks
You are my first read every morning! Hang in there lovely lady!
I’m too, am glad you didn’t give up. I don’t think there’s a right or wrong way when it comes to blogging. I think there are just different styles, and that’s a good thing. It would be boring and unproductive if everyone blogged the same way. I happen to love your style of blogging and find it fun and easy to follow. Please, please keep going. I enjoy all the wonderful info and patterns you bring to us.
The people who follow that advice become money-obsessed drones. I don’t read those blogs or admire their authors. I have spoken. 😛
This really isn’t about any of your projects, but about your anxiety blog. As a retired educator of 30+ years, I used to get really out of sorts when I would go to a workshop or lecture on how to run a classroom, motivate students etc. One day I had a great epiphany…these were educators for educators…I’m an educator for students. I realized that what I was doing did not fit their concept of "perfect" teaching, but it worked for me and my students, and what gave them the right to decide they knew my students or subject better than I did? That’s my way of saying, you know your audience, your goals and what works for you. If I were you, I’d tell them "thank you for your input" and keep on doing what works for you. There is a reason I stay in touch with your site when I have dropped from several…you are a real person, doing real things for real sewers like me! Thank you for doing what you do so well!
Charlotte
Caroline, I’m so glad you didn’t give up. You’re one of the few blogs that I visit regularly. You are generous with your tutorials and you make manageable projects. Keep it up!
Thank you for deciding to keep going. Yours is one of the blogs I read all the time. I love your projects and the studio chats. I get anxious at times and pray also. I will keep you in my prayers. Thank you for all you do. My mom watches you too (at 81!) and just made your pouch with Tula Pink fabric! Turned out great.
Congrats to you for not quitting…
You are amazing….remember that.
Wait, you mean there is a ‘right way and a wrong way’ to blog? News to me 🙂 Keep on keeping on I say and turn a very deaf ear to the nay sayers, many folk just do not have a great day unless they bring others down. hugs I am a High Functioning Autist and also have Social Anxiety on top of the Autism 😉 make for interesting bed fellows at times.
Go for it I say and keep doing what you are doing, you are great just the way you are. People do have a choice on what they read or watch.
It so doesn’t matter how you blog. I love your blog. The other way sounds so clinical and almost devious. Spontaneous and always a joy is just right !
Caroline I love you just the way you are. I look forward to reading your blog everyday and enjoy all of it. Kudos to you for sharing your personal issues. I know it helps many of your followers. If you measure success by how much we love you, you’ve got it. You are the bomb dot com
Dear, dear Caroline. Honesty doesn’t have to be marketed. It shines through everything you do. You will attract viewers who are drawn to honesty and kindness.
One of the things I’ve always liked about your blogs is your humanness. You recount your successes and your failings. It makes me feel like I can accomplish your projects even though I’ve had a 15 year respite from sewing. As one who used to present and attend many conferences (and not in the realm of sewing and designing), my advice, for when we find ourselves in a “foreign land” where we have no idea what people are talking about, or in over our heads where we’re treading water just to keep up, is to keep breathing, take notes and know that we can pick and choose what works for us and what we might try to incorporate from all this new information. Blogging, branding, or marketing is not one size fits all.
Caroline,
The best part of your blog is the easy going style. I am so impressed by the amount and depth of the information you provide. Your generosity and enthusiasm know no bounds and for that I am truly grateful. I am so glad you were able to work your way out of the anxiety. I applaud you for describing your experience as it will help others.
Love your blog! Love your content, projects, chats and you! I have struggled with anxiety my entire life as well. I appreciate your courage to share. You are the first newsletter I check in my email daily. Don’t change a thing unless it’s your idea! Peggy
You are an amazing woman! You definitely do NOT do it wrong. I love your blog, and I’ve learned so much. Thanks for all you do for all of us.
Aw I am so bummed to hear your experience at Alt was not good (or at least this part of it!). I definitely know what you mean about the trendy, young vibe – I am overwhelmed just looking at pictures of that conference. Building a community and loving what you do is also a huge part of what makes a successful blog, I think, and you clearly do that super well!! Glad you were able to quash the thought of quitting for sure 🙂 I’m guessing not but if you’re going to SNAP conference next week please let me know, I’d love to meet you! It is a much more relaxed vibe!
Carolyn, I think you are such a lovely, real person. I am so sorry your went through such a distressing time. It did make me wonder if you had considered that you probably were not the only person sitting there who had self-doubts and felt the subject was way beyond them. You were just honest enough to admit it to yourself and the world. Bet there were a lot of others wondering what in the world they were doing there; but they just smiled, nodded knowingly, and moved on. You are obviously a very sensitive person. Thank you for using your unpleasant experience to reach out and help others.
Thank you for being so honest!
We all have occasions to doubt ourselves.
Know that I like you and the projects you present. I am not a seamstress but love to sew. My granddaughter (she is 8) and I have been sewing together for most of her life. You give us projects to make that look professional without being too difficult and most of all something she wants to make.
Keep up the good work. Maybe back off a little, I like repeats.
The people who are giving the seminars are paid to make you feel inadequate so you will buy their book.
I want you to know that your blog is the first one that I search for on my e-mail each morning. I have used many of your tutorials and love the content of your blog. In fact, I have eliminated several of the other blogs that I have followed in the past because your projects are so diverse and always have great tutorials and directions. Keep up the great work!!
I’m a newbie here but just wanted to say bless you for facing your fears and carrying on ,much respect to you .❤️
Sending you hugs and love:)
"Beautiful people?" Look at your photos from the hospital with your flowers. You glow, even when on drugs and feeling puny:)
Anxiety and depression are just plain evil!!! They make you "see" things that are not so and make you believe the worst. They suck you into a pit that is hard to climb out of. No bueno!!!
I appreciate your blog, tutorials and emails. I only subscribe to 3 sewing newsletters and SCS is one:)
Please keep blogging and sharing and loving you:)
–Melissa
Your blog is one of my absolute favorites! I love the projects, the colors, the organization, the energy and more. Technology can be so useful and it can also drill down so far it takes the life and creativity out and over-systematizes. I feel a personal and creative connection when I visit your blog. I am motivated and stimulated by the projects. Is your blog working for you?! Because it is definitely working for me!!!
Dear Caroline,
What a painful wake up call. I am sorry you went through that, but we always learn a little something from these stretching exercises. I enjoy your tutorials so much and I do not want to be played and strategized with. I am glad that you came out on the other side not giving up, and knowing that you are Enough!
I appreciate you and your website. Thank you for sharing about your anxiety. I have many times felt this way. We wouldn’t be on this site if we didn’t love your work. From your website, I have looked at many others and some I have followed but some I don’t but I always come back to yours.
Please don’t doubt yourself. You are doing and great job and doing it honestly and not with any motive other than to share your gift and that makes you a lovely person. Your the one doing it right. Never give up.
Keep on blogging just the way you are doing it. The speakers have to think up fancy, crazy ideas since they’re getting paid for it. And thanks for being transparent. I like your blog.
Don’t ever listen to that broken record in your head telling you to quit!!!!!!
You have 9K followers and have been doing this for years. I check my email every day to see what you have for us, and I’m not the only one. You are not a failure.
You are also an inspiration to those of us with depression/anxiety. If you have anxiety and can do this wonderful blog and sew all these beautiful things, maybe the rest of us can also achieve greatness.
Don’t ever go away!
Thank you so much for not giving up your blog. I love the projects, the tutorials and the studio chats. Stay with what you know that works for you and those that follow you. You are not doing it wrong. It is your style and it works! Everyone has their own little methods that work for them, there is never just one way of doing anything. Keep on with the projects.
Thank you for your courage in sharing your struggles and uncomfortable truths. AND thank you for your strength in doing so much, sharing so much creative goodness, in spite of your struggles.
As someone challenged with depression and anxiety myself, I think you’re awesome, amazing, and inspiring. I, too, want to share my creativity with the world, but it’s all so overwhelming that I don’t even start, so I really admire you for doing it anyway. You’re lighting the way for others.
BTW, I suspect those big-time bloggers who “optimize SEO” have a paid assistant, staff, or whatever. Honestly, I prefer your charming, more authentic style. So thank you!