Thu | Jun 27, 2024

Fight for it

Published:Monday | September 11, 2017 | 12:00 AMMarica Mitchell
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Round-two challenge: Use a simple T-shirt pattern dress and create something for fall. I jazzed up the pattern by added bell sleeves.
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The top, made for round one of the competition, is worn with a metallic-finish, stretch pencil skirt.
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The top, made for round one of the competition, with the peplum detached, worn with a denim skirt made a year ago.
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The top, has a detachable peplum and is styled with leather jeggings and my very first DIY clutch made three years ago.
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I have learnt in life that "if you want good, you nose haffi run." Lord knows that my nose runs so much it bleeds.

The fighter in me has defeated many battles, overcome many obstacles, and even pissed off some folks, as I didn't fall like they wanted me to. I have feared stepping out of my comfort zone for so many years, and in 2017 I decided it was the year to win.

We all love routines - plan, organise, do, and repeat. We hate to be uncomfortable, and often fear trying something new that will take us out of our comfort zone. This year, I decided that I was going to get very uncomfortable because I wanted to be the best version of me. I was ready for a change in so many aspects of my life and wanted God to use me.

I am reminded daily that once there is life, there is hope, and anything I put my mind to, I can achieve. This is the year of stumping on fears, walking by faith and stepping in God's purpose, as He reminds me in Philippians 4:13 that "I can do all things, through Christ who strengthens me."

In May, I decided to try something new in sewing, and stepped out of my comfort zone by using patterns and making different garments other than skirts. This summer, I stepped up my game, and have really challenged myself. In August, I decided to enter any sewing challenge, competitions or contests that came my way. I was ecstatic when I received an email stating that I was selected among five other talented seamstresses to do a fashion sewing challenge sponsored by Fabric Mart Fabrics.

Given two yards of thin, cotton muslin fabric for my very first challenge, I was to create any garment of choice from a blank slate. I pondered for at least a day, surfed the Net, Pinterest, watched a few YouTube videos, and even went window shopping to get inspiration to create a top that was classic, elegant and trendy. I could have made something that I was familiar with (a skirt), but I knew it would be too easy and comfortable.

When I completed the top, I stared at it for at least 10 minutes, and was wowed when I tried it on. I was excited that I was not eliminated in the first round and was moving on to the next. The email that I received from the judges really made my day, as I came so close to winning the challenge.

I want to encourage you today that life has no boundaries if we want to develop and grow. If I didn't submit my application, then I would not have had the chance to get my creative juices going, and get constructive feedback and criticism on my sewing from experts in the field.

I hope that you will join me on this journey of growth, and step out of your comfort zone. Fight for what you want to achieve in life; go for something that you always wanted and never look back.

"Never stop fighting until you arrive at your destined place - that is, the unique you. Have an aim in life, continuously acquire knowledge, work hard, and have perseverance to realise the great life."

- A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.

 

Follow my journey on

Instagram: overdriveafter30 or arielle_diva

Blog: http://overdriveafter30.blogspot.com

Email: marica.mitchell@gmail.com