Sew Much To Learn! 

Bloomeneutics of Sewing -Acceptance

By Sparkles A. M. (Feb 11 2010, revised Apr 1, 2010)

“We can reach the truth only by understanding or even mastering our experience.”

 By Hans-Georg Gadamer[i]

I have been reading my husband’s papers and books.  I was so fascinated by what I have read; I decided to create this framework/article.  

 The following categories for the “Bloomeneutics of Sewing” are adopted from “Bloom’s Taxonomy[ii]” and “Hermeneutics”:  Acceptance, Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Create, and Critique.  Bloomeneutics (n) is a framework of Bloom’s Taxonomy and Hermeneutics to read and write critically; including the interpretation of text.   The word “Bloomeneutics” was created by me.

 Acceptance of myself – I found this to be vital because acceptance of self will clear the way for enjoyment in my hobby.  Also, it allowed me to pinpoint what I would be interested in as far as sewing. So I would like to take this time to talk about me.

I am 52 yrs old, retired military, who became disabled while serving in the military.  While serving in the military, I was a Systems Analyst.    Prior to joining the military I went to school for architectural drafting.  I really enjoy both subjects very much.  I used to write a lot, but it takes a long time because I have to work really hard at it.   When I think about it, I work hard at anything I set out to do!  Nothing seems to come easy for me.  Or, if it does seem easy, I tend to make it a little complicated.

When I was in elementary school, my mother had me sewing for our family.  I used to make our school clothing and sister prom dress.  I used Simplicity and McCall patterns, but even then I had always changed the design some.   When I became grown, I start using Butterick patterns and slinky like fabric and still changing patterns to my desire.  I kept sewing for myself until I had my son and in 1983 I sewn all my son baby's clothing.  I stop sewing after having my son.  Juggling my family and military was hard.  Being a good mother was the proudest moment in my life. 

After retirement as a SFC/E-7, I lost most of my memory in order to survive.  Things were very hairy for a long time.   Once I recovered, I felt damage because of my new label “disabled.” I now realize I should not be ashamed because I became disable while serving my country.  I had to learn things all over again and while picking those things that would promote a better life for me.   My Mom had became my Drill Sergeant.    I knew I wanted to stay productive, so I searched to finding something that would bring me joy and give me some kind of resemblance to my past happy life.    I now live a sheltered life, removed from many people except by online.  My quality of life is good and for the most part, drama free.   I am married to a wonderful guy.  He is very supportive of me and my sewing journey.  What I have learned about accepting myself was really all that I needed; self approval.    My mind races so much.  Many times I would start a sentence, jump to the end of the paragraph or the next subject and back.   When I think about the what the Lord has brought me thru, I feel blessed all over again.   I found that it is not about forgetting the past and traumas but  learning how to deal with it.

 I get overwhelmed, tired and sick easily.   I am a little old school but trying to be more accepting (Life is just too short and you never know when the big bus will arrive).  I thank God for carrying me all these years.  Lord, knows how grateful I am.   I have always believe in giving back  and sharing my blessing.   Thanks for my parents and son for seeing me thru the hard times.  I have learned to relax/regroup when my body tells me so.   I have had always kept a sewing machine around me, thru health and in sickness.  This year, I realize that the label has been hindering me.    Well, with this knowledge I must change and say "No More!!".  I realizes 10% of the people will like me regardless of what. 10% will dislike me regardless of whatever.   80% will not care one way or the other.  So, my 10% I always keep so near and dear to my heart and the rest I just let it row off!  I am remembered to do not sweat the small stuff.

I had a desire to find a sewing buddy (just someone to sew with – not necessarily in person).    Many times a strong need will open the gate for piranhas or people backing away.   I just regroup and move forward, while discarding those things that do not fit into my life or goals.  Believe this, life is great for me!  I have wonderful parents, supportive sisters, an awesome son, a beautiful grandson, a husband I would have only dream of and a life that was ultimately seen in my mind as a child, which I now live.  God had a way of giving us, our heart desire.  Instead of being placed in an assisted living home, I was instructed to sew.  It is amazing how sewing changed my life, I am now living.  I am reminded daily, I am blessed.

I enjoy sewing for fun.  I do not like sewing for others.  I enjoy patternmaking because it reminds me of drafting.  I am an intermediate-beginner sewer.  I would like to say I am a beginner-intermediate sewer because of the lack of knowledge in sewing but the patternmaking knowledge does not allow me to feel comfortable with this level.  Sewing without commercial patterns or instruction reminds me of programming.    I am only interested in commercial patterns for the styles.  I have tried using a commercial pattern before taking patternmaking but the fit was awful.  So, I found making my own patterns have a better fit.  Do not get me wrong, I am really interested in using commercial patterns to sew but I must incorporate what I have learned from patternmaking for fitting and designing.  I love sketching designs and I want to make those designs a reality.   

What I found troubling is that I do not understand sewing.  I would ask questions and get no answer or I would use the wrong terminology.    I have been sewing intuitively (by belief without the actual ability).    So, I am regrouping to set out to learn how to sew a better sewn garment.    I am not expecting or need to be proficient but just more knowledgeable than I am.  In other words, I want to obtain a better understanding about sewing and sewing techniques.  

Bloom’s taxonomy is a cognitive concept of how the mind learns.  Benjamin Bloom in 1956 developed taxonomy after himself.^[1]  He identified it as the 6 levels of cognitive learning.    Hermeneutics is the way we interpret and understand what we have learned or read.   Cognitive is how we process and acquire knowledge by reasoning, intuition and perception.  My process for Bloomeneutics has 7 levels of learning and understanding.    I realize that I am a critical thinker because I need to know why things work as they do.  But many times I have found myself over thinking a process.   I am a visional learner that needs pictures and videos; words alone do not work.  I learn by example and by doing (kinesthetic learner)^.[iii]   Do not be surprised if you have 2 dominant learning styles.

The learning styles are:[iv]

a)    Auditory learner who learn by hearing. 

b)    Visual learner who learn by reading, watching and studying. 

c)    Kinesthetic learner who learns by highlighting what is seen and by doing.

Take a test to see your preferred learning style.[v]  Knowing what kind of learner you are will help you to quickly asset presentations and resources that attention, understanding, and achievement.  

By knowing your own learning style you can obtain a greater understanding and you can focus easier, which will allow you to attain your ultimate goals.

  Why am I writing this article? - The “Bloomeneutics of Sewing” (BOS) will structure my learning process to sew better and keep me focus.   I am writing this BOS to describe my sewing journey for the last two years.   I am only writing about my own personal sewing journey and referring to those things I have seen, tested or purchased.   I will attempt to combine all my online sewing resources.   Did you know, during my journey I came across many people wanting to learn sewing and did not know where to start, where to get information or even have a plan for learning?   I found that some sewers felt alone and lost.   To ask a question, you either get ridiculed at or ignored.   The more informed sewers are, the more they sound like they are speaking a foreign language.  I would attempt to understand the language by questioning or paraphrasing what I thought or heard.  Many times my responses to the language were so off base or outrageous (unknown to me at that time). It was like my words had no credibility as a sewer and I was overlooked.   

There are still questions I have needs to be answered. I know sewing is a contact hobby.  You must sew for the experience.  Learning with resources will give you a far better understanding and increased ability, unless you are just gifted.  I believe in sharing and promoting sewing.   Sharing and helping others is not about money or fame.  Sharing is about connecting and seeing the excitement of a person learning to sew.  Sharing your passion with someone is a gift that keeps on giving!

For each level we will use the following terms to test our knowledge and help with recalling information learned: when, where, define, describe, identify and why.   Upon completing this BOS, we will have covered a range of information focusing on sewing and sewing better.  Though this is written for me, I will write in third person. In mid 2009 I have planned to write this article for 2011 but was inspired to start writing sooner because of SewingCouture.com and Annie Jackson blog.   Brace yourself; this process to write and learn to sew better will take awhile.    I will try to complete this article and my learning within one year.   

In understanding yourself and your life experiences, you can find the path which fits.  Your path will then be rewarding, fulfilling and hopefully very creative.   This leaves me to KNOWLEDGE in my “Bloomeneutics of Sewing” (BOS).   

Next is Knowledge

[i] wikipedia

[ii]  Snarski. R. (2009). Special topics in communications for graduate students. Acton, MA: XanEdu Publishing.

[iii] Learner Styles

[iv] Penn Foster School- Dressmaking course “Learning Strategies”   

[v] Learner Style Test