PatternReview.com online sewing community
Join our community of 579,257 sewists!
SIGNUP Membership is free and includes 1 free lesson
Login |
Join our community of 579,257 sewists!
Signup | Login
To participate in the PatternReview.com forums please Login or Join PatternReview
123 
Member since 10/16/02
Posts: 209
Send Message
Posted on: 7/23/09 12:59 PM ET
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.
  
Member since 5/10/06
Posts: 2194
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 7/23/09 5:26 PM ET
In reply to NanJones
It is so long since I joined I may have changed level. Where did you find the list of skills for each level?
------
Clare

Machines: Juki TL-2300(straight stitch)used for most things including brilliant free motion, Juki HZL-DX7, Juki 654 serger, Babylock BCLS2 , treadle Singer 201, Elna Lotus SP for easy travel
A Singer Featherweight Centennial recently given tlc and an old Necci in the loft waiting for tlc
  
Member since 7/23/07
Posts: 7276
Send Message
Posted on: 7/23/09 6:34 PM ET
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!
------
http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
  
Member since 3/28/08
Posts: 675
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 7/23/09 7:07 PM ET
Hmm, maybe that will restore my mojo...
------
Tricia
----------------
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.
  
Member since 4/2/08
Posts: 1215
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 7/23/09 7:10 PM ET
In reply to Clareew
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 :)
------
Amy
  
Member since 5/3/09
Posts: 73
Send Message
Posted on: 7/23/09 8:15 PM ET
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 --
  
Member since 12/3/05
Posts: 6572
Send Message
Posted on: 7/23/09 8:20 PM ET
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.
------
No sewing project is ever a complete success nor a total failure.
  
Member since 1/15/05
Posts: 117
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 7/23/09 11:40 PM ET
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.
------
sewing is my sanctuary

http://narcissaqtpie.blogspot.com
  
Member since 7/16/07
Posts: 30016
Send Message
Posted on: 7/24/09 1:11 AM ET
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 --
------
my shield and my very great reward ~ Gen. 15:1

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. ~ Albert Einstein

People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be, not what you nag them to be. ~ Scudder N. Parker
  
Member since 4/22/07
Posts: 110
Send Message
Posted on: 8/10/09 8:00 AM ET
So, if I change my status to 'Intermediate' then I will finally master zippers?!
------
www.embellishlife.blogspot.com
  
123 
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns
Nature's Fabrics
Natural & Organic Fabrics
Specials!
Metro Textiles
NYC Fabric Store
Specials!
Discovery Fabrics
High Performance Fabrics
Specials!