As of February 12, Fashion-Incubator is three years old!
Happy birthday to us, happy birthday to us, happy birthday dear uh-us, happy birthday to us!
Moving into our fourth year, I think we can safely say we’ve successfully weathered the trauma of the terrible twos and probably even potting training -although some might have their doubts on both. I know there are some days when I do. Technically, four is still considered infancy although a blog going into its fourth year is practically middle-aged. I guess that’s an accomplishment.
So how have you changed over the past year? How have you grown? What haven’t you done that you wanted or planned to?
I hesitated to ask those questions because it’d mean I’d have to ask myself first and I really don’t know the answer to the first two questions. Every year I just feel dumber. I don’t know the answer to no. 3 or I do know but I’m too embarrassed to admit it, even to myself. I guess it’s because I have no one to blame for my failings. Oh wait, I am progressing (gee, progress is so slow, even I forget). I got the CAD system. I’m slowly learning that. Officially, my lessons start Monday. I was tempted to update an old entry Why pattern makers resist learning CAD with part two but then decided one sentence (“Because it makes us feel stupid”) wasn’t enough to warrant an entry. But I was tempted. I’m just so stubborn and hard headed. To whit, I’d been beating my head against a wall over digitizing notches on a pattern piece, just absolutely convinced this CAD system had a bug in it, when if I’d only read the instructions, I wouldn’t have been having the problem. Need I say more? I tell you, I create more work for myself than a slave driving sweatshop owner ever could. I’m guessing you do too. ‘Fess up. You do.
When you’re in the throes of great amounts of learning, after the fact, it’s hard to separate out what you know from what you knew. I think it’s important to try to keep track. You all are growing by leaps and bounds. Often you feel like you’re standing in the same spot but that’s only because you haven’t taken inventory. This year, I decided to keep track by keeping a list of all the books I’ve read, thinking that would help jog my memory for next year. I suppose scrolling through last year’s archives would assist in taking knowledge inventory because much of the time, I’m learning myself, or adding to it, or remembering things I’d forgotten. Regardless, it’s very important to pat yourself on the back for what you’ve managed or even mangled over the past year.
So, how have you changed over the past year? How have you grown? What haven’t you done that you wanted or planned to? And perhaps more importantly, what do you plan to do differently this year?
Happy B-Day!!! Blow out the candles and make a wish!
Kathleen thank you so much not only for all the information you tirelessly provide, but for creating F-I to be helpful, safe, accessible and a fun environment. And thank you, everyone for contributing to F-I, I learn a lot by reading your comments too.
Now, let’s see, there was January 1st New Year…
Then there was the Chinese New Year…
and now
We have the February 12th Fashion- Incubator New Year!!! Woo-hoo, keep the party going :)
Congrats Kathleen. Thank you so much for sharing us your wisdom over the last three years!!!
Over the last six months I have learned more going through the FI archives (and reading the book) then I ever learned in design school…Thank you Fashion Incubator readers and contributors, and especially Kathleen!
Happy Birthday F-I!
This website has been a g-d-send for me. I just love reading it and posting on the boards. It reminds me of the old tv show Cheers- it is a place I can go where everybody knows my name. I even feel good about the little posts I write, especially if they help anybody.
As for what I did this past year, let’s see:
I gained 10 pounds, I shipped my first two collections, I showed at my first trade show, I became a better cook, I went through 3 contractors, I found this website, I moved homes, and I continue to become a better Jew and a better wife and mother. Not bad I think!
Very cool! Thank you for bringing this community together!
Congratulations, and I wish you many more!
Even though I’m not a DE (and don’t even have aspirations of being one), I love this blog and learn so much here. Thank you, everyone and especially Kathleen, for all your contributions.
Yes, indeed, Happy Birthday! I agree with what Bethany wrote–this is a great place to learn, to offer help, to get help. I check in all day (an excuse to stop sewing) waiting for the day’s blog! Thank you.
Marguerite
Congratulations Kathleen, keep up the good job! it is interesting to see how many people that I know in this industry are frequent visitors to this site.