#birchriver

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DmhpYdu6IY)

Firstly, thank you so much! Secondly, my main pointer would just be to try, try again. You know that old adage about falling off the horse and getting back on? That's your future with designing and sewing.

I've never once had a lesson for any sort of design, needlework, or sewing and am completely self-taught. It's really a huge journey of trial-and-error. I remember I used to always mess up, even with the stupidest and most obvious things, and I kept going and trying again, and all of a sudden - I wasn't having to fix mistakes I'd made because I wasn't making those mistakes. Though I might have learned quicker if I had taken lessons, I'm really glad that I didn't because I taught myself to solve problems in my own way and be intuitive and creative in my design process.

I would suggest lessons if you're wary or if you aren't quite as maniacally determined as I was and am. They would probably be very helpful! If you choose to teach yourself - and even if you don't - books and the internet are indispensable tools, especially if your focus is historical design. For example, Costume Close-Up has extensive details about each individual garment in the book, from the fabric to the construction and even, at times, to the amount of stitches per inch. There are really fantastic and knowledgeable people out there who have done most of the work for us - Janet Arnold and Norah Waugh being only two examples. Books! The best weapons in the world!