"I Have a Love/Hate Relationship With..."

Hey Folks!

Tell us about some things you love and yet hate at the same time. It could be a relationship with someone (friend, family member, neighbor, etc.), a hobby or interest, an object (your car?), event, organization, job... whatever comes to mind.

I have a love/hate relationship with sewing, which is my inspiration for this thread. It's a hobby I've dabbled in on and off since I was a kid, but admittedly, I've had much more off time than on. I know clothes seem pretty simple but have you ever tried to actually put a piece of clothing together that fits??? Piecing together flat pieces that drape and move properly around angled bodies is truly a work of engineering and I admire people who can whip up entire outfits in a few hours or days.

I am not one of those people. I spent half my morning going through 10 different patterns for pants just trying to find a certain kind of pocket (cargo) to put on a pair of shorts that originally does not even have a pocket. My brain is also foggy from the 12 different steps I've read over 3 times to insert the zipper (fly zippers are especially challenging vs. something like a zipper on the front of a hoodie), along with my 16 additional notes I made the last time I did it that are supposed to make this next time easier!

My biggest complaint is that I will put my heart and soul into a project... and the stupid thing won't fit. Out of my last 15 projects, I've had maybe 2 that were successful. I felt better when I read in a sewing book that over 50% of patterns aren't designed as they're shown in the picture and will not turn out right anyway, making me feel somewhat better. Every failed project is still a learning experience, but I feel like I'm always spinning my wheels. In some cases, I'm able to turn it into something I can give to and adjust for someone else.

I often feel like I should just give my machine away and put down the needled for good. The only reason I still sew at all is because I have the hope of someday being able to make most of my own things... that will actually fit... instead of spending a day at stores and still not being able to find a pair of pants for work. I've also been able to make things for others (special pants for a girl who was pregnant at work; shorts for my Mom who wears a size smaller than what you find on the rack; a mint green dress for a co-worker going through a rough time, etc.) but it would be nice to be able to make some things for myself sometimes, too!

I love sewing--the creativity, the whole process of a "phoenix rising out of the ashes", the fact that it forces me to think in very different directions. But oh, how I loathe it at the same time. And yet, like a bad relationship, I just can't seem to walk away!

What about the rest of you? Why are so many of us so persistent at something that we love in theory... but part of us just can't stand it at the same time?

Hey Folks!

Tell us about some things you love and yet hate at the same time. It could be a relationship with someone (friend, family member, neighbor, etc.), a hobby or interest, an object (your car?), event, organization, job... whatever comes to mind.

I have a love/hate relationship with sewing, which is my inspiration for this thread. It's a hobby I've dabbled in on and off since I was a kid, but admittedly, I've had much more off time than on. I know clothes seem pretty simple but have you ever tried to actually put a piece of clothing together that fits??? Piecing together flat pieces that drape and move properly around angled bodies is truly a work of engineering and I admire people who can whip up entire outfits in a few hours or days.

I am not one of those people. I spent half my morning going through 10 different patterns for pants just trying to find a certain kind of pocket (cargo) to put on a pair of shorts that originally does not even have a pocket. My brain is also foggy from the 12 different steps I've read over 3 times to insert the zipper (fly zippers are especially challenging vs. something like a zipper on the front of a hoodie), along with my 16 additional notes I made the last time I did it that are supposed to make this next time easier!

My biggest complaint is that I will put my heart and soul into a project... and the stupid thing won't fit. Out of my last 15 projects, I've had maybe 2 that were successful. I felt better when I read in a sewing book that over 50% of patterns aren't designed as they're shown in the picture and will not turn out right anyway, making me feel somewhat better. Every failed project is still a learning experience, but I feel like I'm always spinning my wheels. In some cases, I'm able to turn it into something I can give to and adjust for someone else.

I often feel like I should just give my machine away and put down the needled for good. The only reason I still sew at all is because I have the hope of someday being able to make most of my own things... that will actually fit... instead of spending a day at stores and still not being able to find a pair of pants for work. I've also been able to make things for others (special pants for a girl who was pregnant at work; shorts for my Mom who wears a size smaller than what you find on the rack; a mint green dress for a co-worker going through a rough time, etc.) but it would be nice to be able to make some things for myself sometimes, too!

I love sewing--the creativity, the whole process of a "phoenix rising out of the ashes", the fact that it forces me to think in very different directions. But oh, how I loathe it at the same time. And yet, like a bad relationship, I just can't seem to walk away!

What about the rest of you? Why are so many of us so persistent at something that we love in theory... but part of us just can't stand it at the same time?

Sister,

Take a look at what you want to do please. Since you had been doing this off and on, I would like to give you some advice if I may.

when a person does something for a long time they get aggravated and want to give up. Same with writing, ow it flows easily like second nature.

what I am trying to point out is if it was not I.n your heart to do this, it would not bug you so much to achieve it. If something is not coming out righ, without getting aggravated and throwing it away how about going over the pattern once again over and over and view YouTube videos for support plus focus on what you bet wrong.
my sister does the same projects she sees and nitts.
if it still comes out wrong take a deep breath, look at the picture of the diagrams and look closely at each stitch and once you find that missing link? You will be able to avoid it more and more with time.

I have a love/hate relationship with food I love what I eat but I cannot love it so much that I hate it because it can cause health problems in the long run. ie. coffee raised my cholesterol and so I have to desist and be more careful after researching "cholesterol" I'd say I'm on a eat more fruits and veggies diet to help lower it back to normal. Hehe, hi @seoulsearch I love this topic you made love you dearly

Whenever anyone in the family needs their pants or shorts hemmed (shortened,) they all bring them to me at a family gathering, and I go home with a new pile of projects.

Hi Writer,

Thanks very much for your encouragement.

This thread was written in 2014, and a lot has happened in 9 years. Part of why I gave up sewing was because there were a lot of changes in my family, living situations, etc. that took up all my energy.

I also think that sometimes we take up an interest in something that has a time and a season, but it's not always forever. And I've also found that although some things I'm drawn to have stayed with me, their purpose and the way I carry them out has changed.

For example, like you, I have always written. From the time I could hold a pen/pencil and put it to paper, I was writing. But the funny thing is, I don't see myself as a writer at all. I'm not gifted with stories, and I don't feel I have any great lessons to teach or tell. Rather, I'm just a facilitator of conversations, and writing is my primary tool with which to get people connected with one another. Some have told me that I should write a blog or a book, and I'm very grateful for their kindness, but I know that's just not my kind of writing.

Rather, I'm built for personal correspondence and places like this forum, where my hope to start meaningful, real-time conversations in which a wide array of people are talking to each other.

God has also taken my interests and redirected them into other things that apply more to the direct and more immediate needs of my family at this time.

I do still have a little place for sewing in my heart, and there was a purpose in that...

Whenever anyone in the family needs their pants or shorts hemmed (shortened,) they all bring them to me at a family gathering, and I go home with a new pile of projects.

I have a love/hate relationship with being punctual. I hate being late to anything. And then I get upset waiting lol

I like to be 20 minutes early to everything, preferably 30.

But you're right, it definitely means a lot of waiting.

From the time I was a kid, I've always carried a backpack that I call my "Activity Kit" (in the spirit of things like
those menus that double as coloring pages for kids at restaurants, along with a pack of very cheap, waxy crayons.)

But instead of crayons and coloring books, I always carry several magazines (easier on my eyes than reading on my phone, and I bring extra for my Mom and others with me,) colored pens and a variety of papers (for writing notes and letters on the spot,) possibly a craft project to work on (knotted bracelets, etc.,) possibly my laptop, my regular bag (with my ID and all my necessities)...

So basically an entire bag filled with lots of things to keep an adult kid occupied and out of trouble. Theoretically, at least.

One time when I was at church with my family, one of my family members complained
that my backpack was too heavy to lift, so they had to wait for me to come back to get it.

I guess I can just add that to the long list of its many uses -- apparently
it also doubles as free weights to carry around as a good workout.

This is so the opposite of me! LOL. I don't even carry a purse any more... .

I can't say anything. I don't carry one either.

I can't say anything. I don't carry one either.