I Was Voted 2018 Fave Sewing Instagram + My Turning Point

So here’s my story….

I started my blogging journey on Instagram at the end of 2012; approximately 6 years ago. I didn’t know what I was doing. I didn’t know how to use a camera properly. I didn’t know how to model what I made. I was just lost. Over the next couple of years I posted a picture here and there. I was never consistent with it. The photos that I posted were not consistently great. I probably posted one amazing photo per month and the rest were crap photos. At the end of 2013, I quit blogging. (I even deleted my Facebook which had thousands of followers on it) I told myself I sucked at being a blogger and it wasn’t going to take me anywhere so I quit. I decided to instead, focus on my clothing line, which in fact, took off. (Btw, that experience for me was an amazing ride.) In 2016, I came back to blogging because I really missed the thought of sharing my work. Again, I posted here and there, but was never consistent. I watched other bloggers pass me. I became resentful and felt like I wasn’t good enough, so I quit again; only for a few months this time. I remember following a few bloggers and I remember the turning points in their blogging career. From that point on, I knew my turning point was going to come and when it came I was going to cherish that moment.

2017 came and I thought it would be an awesome idea to post photoshopped and artificial photos on Instagram. I thought it would make me stand out. (It made me stand out alright!) It was probably the worst decision I’ve ever made. I can go on and on. However, it was also the best decision I’ve ever made because I learned so much during that time about the wonderful world of instagram and blogging.

Now comes 2018. In March 2018, I deleted about 95% of my Instagram content and essentially started over. I had around 8,000 followers at this point. Starting over was extremely hard work. I made ALOT of sacrifices and I put a lot of thought and work into the content I was posting. I read a lot of books and even implemented the information I was teaching my college students into my work as a content creator. I was surprised to see that not only was it working, but it was working fast.

So where in 2018 was my turning point you may ask. My turning point was when I created my unicorn jacket. I remember that time so vividly and everything that transpired after that. I went into Joann Fabrics, went to the cutting counter with my sequin fabric and sat there and listened to the woman at the cutting counter ask me why I was purchasing such an ugly fabric. I remember being shocked at how rude this woman was and decided to rant to my instagram audience about the ordeal. The next day I received an email from Joanns headquarters and a call shortly thereafter. The nice man that called me didn’t have to apologize for what happened but he did. He was extremely kind and he promised that I wouldn’t have that type of experience again. He was right. The women at the store know me by my first name and they welcome me like I’m one of their best friends. They all have been so amazing. Now, the woman at the cutting counter that was disgustingly rude to me, well…. doesn’t say much to me, but I’m sure she is aware of how she made me feel as a loyal customer.

The funny thing about your turning point is this, you won’t know that it’s happening when it comes. You’ll create some amazing content and from there, it will launch you into opportunities, brand deals, and experiences you never thought you would even have.

2018 was a wild and exciting ride. I’m really looking forward to 2019 and see where it takes me. Thank you to everyone that noticed how hard I worked this year to create content that inspired and motivated you to create what makes you happy. Thank you to everyone that left me amazing comments and feedback. Thank you to everyone that sent me DM’s saying I pulled you out of your sewing slump. Thank you to everyone that saw something in me that I did not see in myself. To the special angels that would drop motivating messages in my DM’s to push me to be consistent, I appreciate you so so much. I’m thankful for all of the relationships I’ve built this year and so grateful that there are so many kind hearted people within the sewing community.

I’m happy to have had this experience so that I can help many of you that have asked. Remember, if you have any questions about anything let me know. What is one thing that you struggle with when it comes to Instagram?