Things I've Learned From Sewing at 2:00 a.m. ...

Thank you to Timothy Bruno for providing the original post. If you know who originally wrote this list, please let me know. I would like to give credit where it is due.

1. I hate hemming.
2. My bobbin winder hates me.
   

   Lisa Ashton's Corollary: Don't try to talk on the phone and sew a straight seam unless you intend for your finger to be included. Blood on white fabric is frustrating, and the screaming scares the cat.

3. The more you try to fix the hem, the more you will screw it up.
   

   Lisa Ashton's Corollary: If you have just sewn the same seam inside out or right side to wrong side TWICE, it's time for a break.

4. I need a serger.
5. Don't use red chalk to draw the pattern on white fabric when you need the garb the next day.
6. If the neck hole was too little the first time, only cut a little bit off at a time. There's no going back. I now have an off-the-shoulder undertunic.
7. If you're trying on the garb you're sewing over and over to get the right fit, it's easier just to sew nekkid. Someone please tell me I'm not alone.
8. The first time you sew it together, use a big stitch. They're easier to pull out.
9. Trying to convince yourself that no one will notice that the sleeves are two different lengths gets easier as the night goes on.
10. They play really crappy music on the radio at 2:00 a.m.
11. Ignore the "Buy 1 more yard than you think you'll need" rule. Replace it with the "Buy 7 more yards than you think you'll need" rule.
12. Get $1/yard fabric. Then you won't swear at yourself so much.
13. You can see a black bra through $1/yard white cotton.
14. You can see a white bra through $1/yard white cotton.
15. You can see you're not wearing a bra through $1/yard white cotton.
16. The warning on cold medicine that says you shouldn't operate heavy machinery while on this drug should state sewing machines specifically.
17. If you're going to be trying on something that's pinned, and have to pull it over your head, remember to wear protective eye gear.
18. The numbers on my tape measure move. They must. I've measured 3 times, and it's still not working.
19. You really do have to match plaids or your butt looks funny.
20. Remember Rule 6? Don't do that again on the over tunic. Next time, try a key hole.
21. At 4:00 AM, leaving the garb too big sounds perfectly acceptable.
22. No matter what you learned from your last 2:00 a.m. sewathon, you're gonna do it all again.
23. Never cut fabric strips in the middle of the night!
    Michele Sol - ask her about her belly dancing outfit experience.
24. It is best not to continue the project once the cat decides that you are still sitting at their night time sleeping area.
    Alix Jordan
25. For the spouses of the 2:00 a.m. sewer: Learn to duplicate their "Are you still on the computer?" phrase and tone of voice. They may not be happy to hear it, but it gets the message through.
    John O'Halloran - Who had to do it on the eve of his wedding.
26. If a costume needs machine sewing, and it is not done the day before leaving for an event, it stays home.
    Betsy R. Delaney
    

    Stephanie Carrigg's Corollary: If a costume is not done three days before the convention, it doesn't go.

27. Allow plenty of time for bead work - complex bead work can require a year to do. Do your beadwork before the major construction.
    Lisa Ashton