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Sara Lawson

@sewsweetness

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Hi! My name is Sara Lawson and I'm a sewing pattern designer and live streamer from Chicago.

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I have been producing instructional step-by-step videos for my sewing patterns since 2017. No fast forwarding here. You'll see everything (and I mean everything - do you know how many seams I've sewn on camera, only to discover that the bobbin was empty the whole time? A lot. It's a lot).

"If I can do it, so can you" is my saying. And I mean it. I know you can do it. I'm in your sewing room, right there with you, and I'll be there right up until you sew the final seam and give your project a nice press.

Imagine taking your newly finished bag or pouch out for a spin and savoring the feeling of responding to a stranger's inquiry with, "Oh this? I made it!!" by @sewsweetness

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10 months ago

My name is Sara Lawson and I live in Chicago, IL. Born in the early 80's, I love:

• designing sewing patterns since 2013
• teaching via my instructional videos
• horses
• many different hand-work style crafts
• making quilts
• walking my dog
• going to concerts
• pizza and Mexican food
• reading books
• native gardening
• going to the movies

I have introvert energy and big feelings (sometimes too big). My sewing room is never tidy. by @sewsweetness

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10 months ago

Did you know that I have a live show every first Sunday of the month at 7pm CT on Facebook and YouTube?

Live shows are packed with:

•Bag Lab demonstration
•notion of the month
•new fabrics I've added to my stash
•book review
•customer photos
•live Q&A
•giveaway

I've been doing live shows since 2017! Hope to see you at next month's show (whether you watch live, or watch the recording after!). by @sewsweetness

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10 months ago

What did you do this weekend for fun?

Other people: I went to dinner and a show with friends.

Me: I organized the zippers on the website in new sections by color and then I hand-placed them from lightest to darkest. I was literally so excited to work on it (and even more excited to finish it)! I was shocked that there are almost 50 pink zippers on the website (and almost 50 blue zippers!)!

I'm not sure what this says about my life 😅

What are you up to this weekend?

Check out my new zipper categories using the tab at the top of your screen (for iPad/desktop) and the tab on the left-hand side (for cell phone)!

#sewsweetnesspattern #bagmaker #zipperstorage by @sewsweetness

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2 hours ago

Notion of the Month

If you're a quilter, this is a big time saver for drawing diagonal lines on fabric squares, when making flying geese or half square triangles.

In stock now at www.sewsweetness.com
#notionofthemonth #sewingnotions by @sewsweetness

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4 days ago

I See You

I see you start a new pattern. You go to your fabric to make a choice; you change your mind and choose again.

I see you carefully cut everything out. Sometimes the amount of pieces is small, but sometimes it's a large amount, and you get through the list, and the interfacing as well.

I see you get to a step in the pattern that doesn't quite connect with your brain. You put the pattern to the side until after dinner. You come back and you're still not sure. You pin it anyway, with your best guess, and sew the step. A drip of sweat appears on your forehead. You get through the step. Everything seems like it looks okay.

I see you finish your bag and take it for its first public outing. Someone made a nice comment about your bag out loud, and I see the way your face changes and you rush to tell them that you made it yourself.

I see you do hard things. I see you do things that matter to you. I see you do things for the people that you care about.

I See You.

📷 and sewn by @addiekakes.kreations

#sewsweetnesspattern #cavalcadetravelbag #bagmaker by @sewsweetness

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8 days ago

Deep Cleaning

I really should deep clean my sewing room soon. I feel like I will find a lot of cool things that I forgot I had, especially notions.

I found my misting bottle under a table this morning. I'd been wondering where it went off to.

Does this happen to you also? I can't be the only one 😅 by @sewsweetness

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11 days ago

Invest in Yourself

I was thinking about this the other day. How it's so important to make time each day to invest in yourself. I don't necessarily mean money-wise, although that could be the case.

What does that mean? It will be different for each person. It might not be easy - at times it might be pretty darn hard. Maybe you can only manage a small amount here and there.

For me, an example that doesn't cost anything is...What I like and what I need is to be outside at the start of the day, moving around. Sometimes my schedule means that I have to adjust when I wake up to make that happen. If it doesn't work out, I also don't beat myself up about it. All I need to do is my best, and our best looks different each day. But I know that I feel better when I am out in nature because it helps to slow my brain down, and so I invest in myself to make that happen.

How about an example that does cost money? I invested in a course over the summer teaching how to think about color in regards to fabric. I use fabric all the time, but I generally choose fabric for a project based on what catches my eye. What if I could increase my knowledge about color and be more deliberate when choosing fabrics that go together? I'm starting to think about color differently, and I think it will help me grow as a creative person, so I'm glad I invested in myself in that way.

Was there a time that you invested in yourself that you were glad for it? Was it a trip, a class, an experience, or something else? Or do you have an idea or dream for investing in yourself in the future?

This is my iron, the Singer Expert Finish iron. Sadly, it was discontinued several years ago, but I happen to have an extra one because I bought a couple for our sewing retreats. I hope this iron keeps working forever, because it has been an awesome iron all these years (since 2013)! by @sewsweetness

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13 days ago

What am I missing?

Help please! I'm working on expanding our online offerings, and I'm wondering if there are any products that I'm missing on the website (or product areas that I should make larger offerings of)?

Thank you so much, your opinions will help make Sew Sweetness better!

📷 and sewn by @chera_phipody

#sewsweetnesspattern #dogwoodpouch #bagmaker by @sewsweetness

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15 days ago

Having something to look forward to

Why is having something to look forward to important? Anticipation feels good - it makes me feel happy, hopeful, and it takes my mind off other things. I get a little excited 'zing' when I have something to look forward to.

It's been awhile since we travelled, but I have a memory of the months leading up to a drip to Disney. I got a travel book and read it over breakfast each day. I got excited planning our itinerary, what park we'd visit each day, and a ride and meal schedule. It was so thrilling.

But you don't necessarily have to have a big event to get that zing from anticipation. Last night when I went to bed, I thought about baking rolls for my son. He had asked about them recently, and the thought of making something for him made me happy. After I walked my dog this morning, I was excited to make the dough for the rolls.

Is there something that you have coming up in October that you are anticipating? Big or small, they are all important!

I'd love to hear about it!

📷 and sewn by @chera_phipody

#sewsweetnesspattern #falabellapouch #bagmaker by @sewsweetness

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18 days ago

What's most important to you?

When you are choosing the next sewing pattern to work on, what's most important to you?

a. Looks easy to make
b. Unique look or something different
c. To fit a certain purpose or carry a certain item
d. Something that will fit the fabric you want to use
e. Looks like a lower amount of pattern pieces to to cut out
f. Has a video to go along with the pattern
g. A challenge
h. Something you want to make as a gift

Or something else?

I'd like to drop myself in your mind for just a moment and see what factors into your decision-making process!

📷 and sewn by Andrea Graham @addiekakes.kreations

#sewsweetnesspattern #sewingmachinetravelbag #bagmaking by @sewsweetness

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19 days ago

Time to Start a New Project

I've been quiet in the last week because I picked up my plant order from the nursery. It's a 90-minute drive each way to @possibilityplacenursery, so I think over my order for weeks. In past years I've planted in spring, summer, and fall. This year I decided to plant just in fall. To understand my planting strategy - I like to go hard. I postpone working out during this time, because I'm out there for 3-5 hours a day digging holes for 1-gallons and pints. I do have an auger, but most of the time I just want my trusty shovel. This time I planted 4 trees, 78 shrubs, and 162 perennials and grasses.

I was relieved to plant the last shrub, but also a bit sad. Sometimes I feel like this working on a sewing project as well. Relief that such a big sewing effort is finished, but also sad because the process really captivated my mind and attention.

Have you had any sewing projects that you were sad to finish?

I feel like this with books a lot too - a good book can leave you really remorseful to finish it.

Also, cross your fingers that we can hopefully announce our good news soon!

📷 and sewn by Su Cali

#sewsweetnesspattern #tapitorganizer #bagmaker by @sewsweetness

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20 days ago