Finding Your Fit, According to an 80-Year-Old Book (+ I Made a Video!)

I stumbled across some timeless advice we could all use when trying something new on for size. Oh, and I did a thing on YouTube.

Welcome (or welcome back!) to Multifaceted. I’m Jess Barker – here to help multi-passionate creatives overcome “idea overwhelm” and carve out a path to the most fulfilling and authentic creative life possible. ✨

Hey, all –

I’m going to drop this right up top – it’s Multifaceted: Youtube Edition!

Watch my first foray into video here and (pretty please 🥰) subscribe:

In this video, I’m sharing 11 reflective journaling prompts for multi-passionate creatives, artists, writers, and dreamers to help you kickstart your most creative year yet.

Whether you write Morning Pages or have a new notebook to fill, you can use these ideas to explore your creative style, identity, and purpose. Plus, plan how to take one small step toward your biggest dream this week.

There’s more context on why I’m feeling pulled to try video below. But first, the usual dose of creative inspo…

Lately, I’ve been working on a sewing project.

It’s a toddler’s outfit – complete with a coat, bonnet, and dress – made up from a Simplicity sewing pattern from the 1940s.

(Adorable, right? The little scalloped detailing is so in right now. And it obviously called for hand-made velvet bows.)

The instructions reference a sewing guidebook from the same era that I was excited to find online. Curious about what the expert seamstresses from 80+ years ago had to say, I digitally flipped through.

What stood out most to me was the emphasis on achieving a good fit.

For instance, there’s a section all about how to alter the pattern to get a good fit from the start. Step 1: Pin the paper pattern together. Step 2: Try it on. Step 3: Make adjustments.

Later, there’s a section on basting (loosely sewing) the seams before permanently stitching the garment. Step 1: Baste the garment together. Step 2: Try it on. Step 3: Make adjustments.

You can probably see a pattern (no pun intended!) emerging already. First, whip something together – not the finished product, but an early iteration. Then, try it on for size. Analyze it from every angle. Wiggle around and find out what’s comfortable. Observe how the garment moves with your body vs. where it feels stiff. Then, use what you’ve learned to adjust the garment accordingly before you seriously commit to any seamlines.

As I sat at my sewing table with this age-old advice ringing in my ears, I realized this isn’t just good dressmaking advice.

It’s good life advice.

As multi-passionate creatives, we’re always overthinking each possibility, wondering if it’ll be the perfect fit or just another failed attempt at something new. “Finding the right fit” is something we all strive for with our creative projects, hobbies, and careers, too.

So, let’s translate that sewing guidance into some basic steps we can follow in our creative lives.

Whenever there’s something new you want to try…

Step 1: Whip up an early iteration.

Maybe it’s a rough draft or a minimum viable product. Whatever it is, it’s NOT totally polished and perfect.

Step 2: Try it out.

This means taking it out of the conceptual realm and actually taking a few baby steps forward. Start putting yourself and your idea out there. Get your hands dirty. And remember, this is just a little experiment – NOT your “Official Thing.”

Step 3: Examine what fits well and what doesn’t.

As you run your fit check, pay attention to what parts of the process feel good and authentic vs. what feels forced.

Step 4: Make adjustments before seriously committing.

By now, you’ll have a good idea of what’s working and what you’ll want to tinker with before you invest more of your time, energy, and money into the idea.

In the spirit of experimentation, I’m exploring video as a new way to share my ideas!

I alluded to this in last week’s newsletter, but I don’t always feel like I’m showing up as my full self through writing alone. So, here I am, jumping into video to see if that’s a good fit.

My aim is to create videos that capture the same spirit as my newsletters, but where you get to see more of “me” coming through. I’ve got one 15-minute episode on YouTube and a few others in the editing queue.

It feels SUPER corny and YouTuber-esque to say it, but please go ahead and give it a “like”. Or, even better, subscribe to my baby channel!

I’d really appreciate it. I know I’m not speaking into the void here, so a thumbs-up from you will let me know if this is something you’d like to see more of.

Until next time, thanks for tuning in! 😉