Comments on: Sewing and flow

By: epink

epink — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:34:06 +0000

hi!!!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 22:01:47 +0000

Have you tried your local library for audiobooks?I’ve managed to score quite a few that way.

By: Susannah

Susannah — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:20:21 +0000

I studied philosophy too (along with literary studies), and I got a total high from wrangling ideas and making connections. It’s interesting, as you say, that the pleasure that comes from experiences of flow arises not just from our own powers but from the resistance of whatever it is we’re working with (fabric, music, text, the body) — from grappling with the world in an evenly matched contest. Sometimes I long for total, effortless mastery, but I wonder whether that wouldn’t destroy the magic.

By: Kiki

Kiki — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:53:42 +0000

This post was an intersting one for me on two accounts : the first one is that I’m a beginner in the sewing field, and I am according to Csikszentmihalyi’s typology in the “arousal” state, and I find sewing to be extremely exciting, because all the techniques you need to learn, the satisfaction you get when you are successful, and the feedback that the fabric itself is immediately giving to you, etc. ! But I also found it interesting because I’m a student in philosophy and I am currently working on the theme of the experience. The flow is a typical experience that I get from studying and making connections between things as different as this talk, this video which is of a kid laughing because he tears sheets of paper (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXXm696UbKY&feature=fvst), and my own subject ^-^. The enligthning point Csikszentmihalyi makes here is that : in situations when things oppose some kind of resistance to your action, you both experience a reality, that you rather passively, receive, and on the other hand, the power you have over this same given reality (for instance, by the power of your thread and needle on a shpeless piece of fabric, or as this kid, who I believe is experiencing the flow ! to act on the shape of a sheet of paper, etc). It is I believe what makes it so overwhelming and rewarding at the same time and it is exactly what we call an “experience” !
Thanks and keep up the good work your doing on this blog,
Kiki

By: Aquarijenn

Aquarijenn — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:28:56 +0000

My husband enjoys listening to TED talks, too. He also recommends Radio Lab for good intellectual stimulation in an audio form. For a long time I did not give myself time to get into the "flow" on a regular basis and my life (creative and otherwise) suffered for it. I try to set aside an hour each evening to sewing. I push the "sleep" button on my alarm clock radio and when it goes off, my time is up. I usually listen to National Public Radio or other music. I've listened to audio books in the past, too, but find that I cannot give my full attention to either the book or my sewing when I do. Love them for driving long distances, though.

By: Skitzo Leezra Studio

Skitzo Leezra Studio — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:29:50 +0000

Huh, who knew there was a name for it? I refer to it as my “crafting zen” time. Even if I am feeling challenged, I feel contentment while learning my way to the end result.

By: Tilly

Tilly — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:38:05 +0000

Great to have an intellectual explanation for the feeling of being lost in crafting! Jarvis Cocker’s Sunday Service on BBC 6 Music is my usual sewing soundtrack but great idea to listen to TED talks and audio books.