While things have been going remarkably smoothly for JEANBAG™, I have had some hurdles. In part these have been due to the parameters I set and in part, because I’m doing everything myself and I just have to figure stuff out…
I’m really thorough in the research phase of a project. I’m naturally detail oriented and I like the challenge of thinking things through and considering all angles.
But it’s funny, the part of prototyping I thought would be the easiest has, in fact, been the hardest!
I thought the most straightforward task in my materials research would be sourcing the lining fabric for JEANBAG™, when in fact it has been a massive challenge. I want to use 100% unbleached natural cotton, or Calico. It’s not a complex fabric and I don’t think it’s a big ask as it’s very commonplace. But, it seems to be much harder than I thought to tick all the boxes I require. For example, I need the fabric to be a certain width so there is zero wastage and to be light weight to keep the overall weight down and minimise shipping costs. And, the weave structure must be quite tight, so the handle is soft and skrinkage will be minimal. We’ll you’d think I was also asking for it to be woven by Tibetan monks and finished with gold plating! That’s how hard it has been to source exactly what I want.
It’s at this point, I’m reminded of a wonderful quote by Calvin Coolidge. It says,
Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and will always solve the problems of the human race.
I hope it will also solve the issue of my Calico! What I want is out there. I know it’s possible to source. I just have to ‘press on’ and keep calling suppliers, keep receiving samples, keep wash testing and I will get there.
What are you trying to solve at the moment? What helps you to persevere and ‘press on’?