Shamelessly Promoting Myself Better

Because let's be real, I haven't been doing the greatest job

Hello friend!

It has been so gloomy in these Atlanta streets and I’ve been trying to not let it affect my mood aka my desire to create. I’ve also been picking up a lot more classes at the studio I teach and I’m loving it. When I first started teaching, I was really nervous about whether or not I would be good because I’m completely self-taught. But I love it so much and the community that the studio has created is truly out of this world. Anyway… let’s get into some updates…

I’m a pattern designer that doesn’t promote their own patterns.

One of the first things that I tell my business coaching clients is that you’ve got to talk about your business so people know about your business. And you know what I never do?

Talk about my business.

When was the last time I sewed one of my patterns live? Taught a class for one of them? Did any kind of promoting for them? I can’t remember. And this, friends, is sad.

Aaronica, why don’t you? You’re always tagging and promoting others, so why not your own?

Because I honestly thought that others would. Yes, this is very naive. But I thought that because I spent so much time and effort promoting the brands of others, this would be reciprocated and it’s simply not. Which does suck but it’s also my fault. I entered a silent agreement that only I knew about. And promoting myself makes me feel so uncomfortable.

But again, I tell my clients all the time that they get to control the narrative of their brand by how they talk about their business and now it’s my turn to walk my talk 🤦🏾‍♀️.

So what’s up first?

Happy you asked 😘.

I literally have no versions of my patterns that fit me now minus 2 Presley’s and 1 Primrose. I’ve lost just shy of 90lbs so it’s time to remake some things.

This week I’m going to be making the pants from KnowME ME2028 and I’m super geeked for them. I’m going to be making a color-blocked version and I’ve already done the hard part in picking out the fabric. I plan to use this really nice light-wash denim for one leg and then a black & white Ankara fabric for the other leg. I’m going to do the waistband and loops in the denim too since it’s the heavier of the fabric. Instead of doing 2 knife pleats, I think I’m going to do something different with the pleat—maybe a box pleat?

Because I’m traveling to the SewExpo to teach for the last week of February, I think I’m also going to make ME2005 out of French Terry to make a cozy and stylish sweatsuit because being cold is for the birds mmmmkay? I also want to make a Primrose Hoodie I think. It’s so cold right now that all I can think about is making warm and cozy things!

Random Thoughts & Updates:

• Now that I've been using the app more, Substack is quickly becoming my favorite place.

• I’m excited about the ideas I have for some YouTube content.

• I loved the conversation that Julian and I had on The AudaSEWtea Podcast about the Grammy’s and Met Gala theme.

• I can’t believe that the Atlanta Frocktails Early Bird tickets have dropped and they’re more than 1/4 sold!!

• While being a commercial pattern designer has it’s challenges, I’m sad that I think my time designing with the big 5 is over (I haven’t had new releases in a year now).

• I’m still not ready for all my classes at Sew Expo just yet.

• I used to love creating content for profit within the sewing community but now it feels like a rat race and I’m constantly in competition with others.

• I’m still committing to being delusional as my solution to navigate insecurities, politics, life.

• My next pattern just started the full test and I’m excited!!!!

I kind of like this random stream of consciousness at the end here—let me know your thoughts and what you’re working on!

xoxo

Aaronica