Date: 7/23/09 12:59 PM

If I knew how to post pictures on the internet I was considering entering the contest for beginners and advanced beginners. After reading the rules for this contest I had to take the daring step to up grade my skill level to intermediate. (Six out of the ten skill items I am able to do). It took me two weeks to finally get the nerve to upgrade but I did it this morning. Something strange happened when I realized that maybe I was no longer an advanced beginner. My clothes started looking so much better and I got a lot more done then before. In the two weeks since I have put out 5 blouses, two pair of shorts and a pair of pants. One of the blouses I wore to church and got a compliment from a fellow sewist. These are the best kind. So if you are on the fence, maybe you should just change your profile and see what happens.

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Reply to NanJones
Date: 7/23/09 5:26 PM

It is so long since I joined I may have changed level. Where did you find the list of skills for each level?

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Clare

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Date: 7/23/09 6:34 PM

Yes, it took me awhile to get my courage up as well, but I did it. The biggest change I noticed was that I sewed more. Oh - and I started buying more machines... DH catches me now when I am anywhere there might be a machine I covet - at a friend's party doing the new home tour, this morning at a tailoring place. They had a coverstitch! Congrats on the change of status. And on your spiffier looking garments!

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Date: 7/23/09 7:07 PM

Hmm, maybe that will restore my mojo...

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Tricia
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The advantage of being a beginner is, nobody has told you "That can't be done." This is also the disadvantage of being a beginner.

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Reply to Clareew
Date: 7/23/09 7:10 PM

Clare, I don't think there's a special list describing the skills for each level; however, the rules for the Beginner/Advanced Beginner Contest provide a checklist to determine your eligibility for that particular contest. You can find that here.

I wished changing my level had helped me in the same way it helped you! I've done most of the things on that list successfully--multiple times even (except for welt pockets)--unfortunately, a decent fit is eluding me right now and I've had several wadders in a row, which has demoralized me, lol. I demoted myself and feel better about being where I'm at on this particular learning curve :)

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Amy
http://www.quixoticpixels.com

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Date: 7/23/09 8:15 PM

Wow, huh, I'm glad you posted about this because I never look at the contests. I'm surprised to read that list of skills because based on that I'm actually almost Intermediate. How is that possible?!

I guess I should switch to Advanced Beginner.

(I'd actually switch to Intermediate but I'm uncertain about the language "have attempted and are proficient" -- those things do not go hand-in-hand for me! I mean, I've done collars on five or six garments but if I had to sit down and do one at this moment I'd still have to follow the steps in the instructions, y'know?)
-- Edited on 7/23/09 8:17 PM --

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Date: 7/23/09 8:20 PM

Last fall, I upgraded my skill level rating from advanced beginner to intermediate level right after I sewed my first wearable tailored jacket. I have to say that after that point, my sewing really started to improve. I still make my share of wadders and stupid mistakes. But I've learned to judge my sewing ability on the projects that succeeded, not the ones that didn't.

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The essence of life is statistical improbability on a colossal scale.
Richard Dawkins

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Date: 7/23/09 11:40 PM

Thanks for posting that list! I feel comfortable upping my level. I'm comfortable with everything except welt pockets-which I'm about to try & hand stitching-which I don't have patience for.

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sewing is my sanctuary

http://narcissaqtpie.blogspot.com

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Date: 7/24/09 1:11 AM

I call myself intermediate-ish, mainly based on the fact that all but about two of the items on that advanced beginner list are skills I've been comfortable doing for many years. However, I may never get the nerve up to put "Intermediate" down as my skill level -- not as long as there are people on here with more advanced skills than intermediate who designate themselves as "Intermediate"...

-- Edited on 7/24/09 1:14 AM --

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When we dismiss or deny the hopes of others, we forget that they, like us, have only one chance in this life. ~Alexander McCall Smith (speaking via Mma Ramotswe in Tea Time for the Traditionally Built, book 10 of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series)
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Current image: Woman Sewing, Caroline Augusta Lord, c. late 1890's, oil on canvas; University of Cincinnati Fine Arts Collection

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Date: 8/10/09 8:00 AM

So, if I change my status to 'Intermediate' then I will finally master zippers?!

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www.embellishlife.blogspot.com

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