I Let Wikipedia Choose my Next Sewing Project 

Just to reiterate what lots of folks are saying, Rachel: 1) Take care of you, we will wait 2) Thanks for being so honest about your projects - it’s so relatable for those of us setting out in making things 3) None of us expect you to make something from scratch the week after a con. I’d happily watch something like an “unpacking” video where you talk about what you wore, who was there etc. Same goes for storage/closet/barn/house/baking/chatty videos. We’re lucky to get your content for free and we will love it as and when it arrives ❤️🧜‍♀️

Rachel: This isn't up to my usual standards Also Rachel: Looks like a Pre-Raphaelite goddess in the reveal

I don't know how else to write this. I love your content and (what I see of) you, and this is why I want to communicate this to you, in hopes that it might do something good for you. You don't have to make a whole project in only a week. Seeing you rush the end of your creations, be anxious about deadlines, burn yourself out repeatedly, etc., is becoming the new normal and it should'nt. We'll watch your projects come to life whether they take one or several videos to be completed without taking a toll on your mental health, and we'll be even more glad to see you not stressed out. Please if you could consider this, we will love your content regardless of how many part I, part II, part III, they require!

I'm cackling at the random "Thackeray, Saskatchewan" because I grew up just north of it 😂 I want to chime in agree with folks: feel free to break up larger projects into smaller video chunks! I'm here for the wise-cracking fun and I don't want you to burn out, because it seems like you're constantly churning out complete projects week-after-week. I'm happy with Part 1 and Part 2 Projects!

Very fitting for Mer-May. Also, when you want to avoid AI crap, set the search to pre-2023

"Whoa! Magnet....why is that a feature?" Technically, you can put your scissors or even needles there for ease of access.

I often mourn the loss of society's ability to create things just for the fun of it, and you bring us back to that element of making something for the sake of doing it, instead of making things for an Etsy shop or other external reward. So Rachel, YOU SUCCEED by NOT being perfect! We love your imperfection, and your willingness to FAFO with your projects. Doing it wrong is how we learn what not to do next time, which makes the next project better, while keeping us from taking ourselves too seriously. That's what I come here for, and reading the comments week after week I am pretty sure it's what the majority of your viewers come here for. Wallow in your experiments, dear. Also thank you for the gratuitous Frodo footage, and leaving in the part where you accidentally spit on the camera and wipe it off. Hope the back-to-back doctor appointments were not a large source of your stress, and you are OK. You are precious to so many of us. Take care and enjoy what you are doing, even when you think it sucks.

I was honestly shocked to hear you talk about how much you disliked the outcome of this project, because when you did that reveal I thought it was nothing short of epic! In my opinion this turned out SO WELL. You have 10x more creativity than I ever will and I loved seeing what you came up with, even if it didn't live up to your vision. Don't be so hard on yourself

They said time travel wasn't possible, but then Rachel Maksy transported us to 2018 👀

Awww c’mon!!! I want to see Rachel build a hydroelectric dam 😂

The transition into creepy mermaid!??!!! ONE MILLION CHEFS KISSES 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻♾️

I love that you post things you end up not being super happy with, because that's so often how crafting goes. Glad you keep it so real!

I loved the reveal, even if you feel it didn’t go as envisioned, I still think it was fun and cute. Not every project has to be top tier and sometimes things are just fun inspiration from Wikipedia projects. Great job! 👏 😊

I really appreciate your honesty. YES, I know that feeling when you're just... Done with a project and have kind of lost all hope with it. And you just finish it out of spite, out of wanting it to be finished. And then, for some time, you just don't wanna see it again. But you've created something. Not everything is going to be five out of five starts. This was seashells out of dumpster fire gloves, and that's fine.

Rachel, I've been watching your videos for years now. And I always come back because of YOU, not the success of your projects. I have been in my crafting/creating era and it's mainly been inspired by seeing your videos and watching you experiment and try. It's much more inspirational to watch your channel and listen to your candid advice and feedback than to watch any other crafting/sewing channel that doesn't show the behind-the-scenes, the struggles, etc. I just come away from their videos feeling overwhelmed and inadequate. But your videos open up thousands of possibilities while giving us a realistic view of what it's like. So thank you! Please take care of yourself, a lot of us are here for any and all of your videos.

Odysseus’ travel agent might be the best joke I’ve ever heard Floor Troll, Rachel Hurricane Maksy ever tell. Bravo.

When a creative project doesn’t come out the way you hope it would, it helps to think of it as a sketch or practice for future ideas. It wasn’t worthless to try even if it didn’t end up how you envisioned, and I actually really liked this video for its honesty (and also all the inspiration it gave me for my own Mermay drawings this month). Here’s to you and your health Rachel, and thank you for taking risks.

DDDUUUUUUDDDDEEEEEEEE!!!!!! That final reveal was SICK!!!!! I literally thought to myself, "Nice! Dude, that's sick!" Rachel 🤗I sometimes have writing projects that I end up not really enjoying when the final page is done and moments of self doubt, so I completely understand the feeling. But trust me when I say, this was AWESOME! 😄

Please don’t be so hard on yourself! You do so much for your tribe (us). The reveal was amazing! I mean , google the word siren and you’ll find your photo. Your vision was supposed to be creepyishly come hither and I thought you hit the mark! Keep doing you ❤

" Not sure where I put the tail. Never know when you're going to need a full on mermaid tail." Exactly what I would expect with your channel. I am also working on a steampunk meets Ancient Greek, and I made a chiton out of a dark green rayon skirt i bought for under $5 to harvest the fabric from.

Looking forward to the wrench/thermostat dress.

Wikipedia gon’ be cooking with this one Edit: a Michelin star meal has been made

You always make it feel like you have no idea what you're doing, but *CLEARLY* you are a highly skilled crafter because these projects always turn out so wonderfully.

Honestly, woman! You try to do so much. You could have had the outfit for one video and the accessories for another video. It's your whimsy and personality and fearlessness that attract all of us! :)

As someone who frequently goes down Wikipedia rabbit holes and loves sewing, this is literally perfect and I can't wait to watch it!

Those gloves… have you ever considered a Pan’s Labyrinth Thin Man cosplay? 😂 I think it really came together in the reveal! And I’m glad you gave yourself the space to deal with “real life stuff”. ❤

that reveal is giving “whos afraid of lil old me well u should be vibes” and i love it!!! u always make the reveals look so coool!!!!!!

I had to know what the dirt was on Anna Müller-Lincke, even though the fact that she was a German actress in the early 20th century was a *big* clue. I loved the fast progression from "look at this stylish actress from the early 1900s" to "I'd better do a quick Google on this woman cause my Nazi senses are tingling." 😂

I nearly spilled my coffee all over me when Axolotl-Rachel came up 😂

I audibly gasped at the reveal, especially the spooky changeover, so I'd say you hit it. 😊 Having also had a bit of a scheit week chock full of doctor's appointments, I empathize entirely, and hope they're at least leading to solutions that are needed!

Let’s all appreciate the level of effort Rachel puts into her reveals. Going to the seashore for a photo shoot is so awesome. Even though Rachel wasn’t satisfied with the gloves, dress and colors, the end result of everything together at the seashore was really cool. ❤

So one of the things I like about your channel is that you aren't perfect? There is such a wonderful energy of "Let's make something!" in your videos that makes everything more...real. It's so nice to see that making something cool doesn't require the perfect materials, the most detailed plan, the most technical know-how. Even when it doesn't quite work out how you wanted, you can still make something worthwhile.

I actually liked the final product! And I think it’s a good idea to think about how you can reuse costume pieces. As you mentioned, this one could be reused for a GOT costume! It definitely makes a project more affordable in the long run if you can get multiple uses from your creation 😊

9:39 Can we stop and admire this loose rendition of unshin sewing here? Brava! You may not've been happy with this vid, Rachel, but I really liked it. Your sewing skills are coming along so well. Pre-plague Rachel would've glued that whole thing together. You actually DRAPED to achieve your vision.

Rachel, I really value how honest you are with your audience. I also was plagued with self-doubt this week, even taking a mental health day (which I never do!) because the brain gremlins were too strong. Knowing I’m not the only one to feel that way makes the experience a little less terrible, and I hope you can take comfort in knowing that you brought ME a little comfort. ❤ Can’t win ‘em all, but let’s keep moving on, right?

Honey bunch, I just want to see you do things that you are absolutely inspired by. Don't feel the need to commit to a trend. I just want to see you have fun making something. That's why I'm here every two weeks. Please darling, just make things you enjoy. It's truly what we love to see.

i thought the reveal turned out so cool!!! and that dress looks soooo pretty, to me the colors really matched the creepy-but-beautiful siren theme... even if it isn't exactly what you envisioned, you should give yourself props for making something

Eeee!! Just poured myself a cup of coffee and I just opened RU-vid and see a Rachel video?! Tis fate. Edited to add: I actually love the way the dress turned out! High levels of twirlability.

That REVEAL. Holy guacamoly! The EPICNESS!! I know you said you hate it, I love it. It looks super sereen and creepy and delicate and frightening. I love love love this! Also, please don't burn yourself out. Maybe consider splitting those projects in two or three videos. Like one for the dress, one for the decorations/jewellry and maybe even a third for the makeup/getting ready. We will watch literally anything you put up here ❤

i really liked the colors, looks like renascence painting and more greenish seas and such, and the yellow sleeves with the black gives off seaweed/fin vibes especially in the reveal it worked really well with the environment

I have to work on an early Saturday morning and have a Rachel Maksy video as soon as I get in? You just made this day 100000000000% better!

I REALLY appreciate the honesty on this. The idea of using Wikipedia as a creative catalyst was wonderful. Sometimes projects just don't turn out the way we planned and I totally despair when this happens to me, so I'm really glad I'm not alone!

I love how this turned out! It’s like if Pirates of the Caribbean had a mediterranean sea dive. The more muted color scheme turned out so pretty. I know you said you had apprehensions about the results, but I see the vision and I think you executed well. As artists, we never quite reach the image in our heads, but that does not mean your project fell short of beauty.

Rachel, as a fellow artist/creative you are always so relatable. The fact that you mention struggling with colorways and making things work when you're designing on your own, and that you feel like you're much better at replicating things, it makes me feel so seen and relieved to hear you say those things. Just know, we love you, and we don't expect every project you make to be perfect. Thanks for all you do, you're pretty freaking awesome!

Magnet - scissors, pins.... whatever you might need on hand.

Holy nuts. Uploaded fifteen seconds ago. Ive never seen my fingers move so fast

I'mma need you to take that self-doubt and being hard on yourself nonsense and toss it straight out the window because this was actually amazing. No notes 10/10.

I'd rather have you and yours be healthy and happy than see you stressed out. I have to say that I really enjoyed the reveal... I enjoy all of your content - successes, failures, and in-betweens. You show reality and that's more important to others who create. Failing is part of the creative process which, to me, is inspiring! We can all build upon seeing what does and doesn't work, it's a part of the community. It's all a win-win!

The dress itself turned out really well - sew the back up and it's a great dress for a summer event/princess-y thing. For colours and things... maybe go to your local DIY store and grab as many of those paint swatch card things as you can. ALL the colours, all the shades and tones. And just play around with them to teach yourself what works well together, what doesn't, what you like and what you don't like. I watch style channels and a couple of DIY channels and am learning what colours I like and what shades of those colours specifically. Not all yellows are the same, for instance. And it's not innate, you can learn it.

I can't speak for everyone, but when Rachel does the "alright, team" thing, I know at least one person who always puts her hand out beneath her laptop's screen like a toddler responding to Dora the Explorer.

The reveal looked great. Don't burn yourself out Rachel. It's okay to walk away from a project sometimes until you're ready for it again. Every RU-vidr has missed a video here or there before.

I would love a video of taking a past project and making it more wearable. Tweaking items to increase wearability would be super interesting to me. I'm glad that you didn't dip dye the dress! Especially since there are no rules here.

I was so impressed with how well Rachel did! When she started describing how badly parts of it went, I thought that it looked wonderful to me. Maybe more issues would be noticeable IRL but it looks great on "film." Wonderful as always. ❤

This came out so beautifully! I think you did an amazing job! That reveal was gorgeous and creepy! I love it!

Just want to say, I'm laying in bed at noon on a Tues because depression, sipping coffee and picking at leftover mothers day carrot cake, watching this video and cracking smiles and feeling joy because you are just pure serotonin, you are the cutest damn thing m'lady. Thank you.

The reveal was CINEMATIC AND AMAZING! Sometimes we get a little too critical of ourselves without a real reason, but let me assure you that it was amazing.

I know this project didn't go the way you hoped, but if it helps at all, I cried at the reveal. You looked like something out of my dreams and best poems, and I can't thank you enough for that.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (well in Sydney anyway) I’m just back from a party and emboldened by the wine, cheese and frivolity I thought I’d post at a time in which you may see it. Hi Rachel thank you for a fun video to watch while I wind down.

Oh, beautiful Mer-Rachel! I would gladly watch any video you make whenever you make it than to know that you aren't well or are stressing yourself out! If a project takes 2 weeks to make it be something that brings you joy, take the time! I would love to see inside your brain and how you work! I know you have knowledge to share that will benefit all of us! Take time for you, Nick & your little family (crows, squirrels & all). We will all be waiting for anything you share! Thank you for all the joy, giggles, entertainment & inspiration you freely share!

The reveal was AWESOME!!! Even if you don't feel like that, i gasped and shocked that you get to the actual sea, your makeup sick, cute ears, all that jazz! Wish you all the best, take rest, we love your projects💫

just in the intro now and she matches her coffee mug yet again. i love it here.

I love the idea of you doing different Greek mythology types, they have interesting combinations of creatures already! You just have to pick one of the interesting entities and your set, or even pick a random God & animal and then merge it.

You really need to stop doubting yourself! The costume is stunning, the colours work within nature. The biggest thing is though, you need to stop worrying about time, life gets the better of all of us sometimes, just try and go with it. I love your projects (and would kill for your hair) Be You!

The thing I love about your projects is that you show us how difficult they are ❤🔥

It’s insane that you weren’t thrilled!! Being a maker is so weird b/c we end up hating on some of our best stuff. This is one of my fav costumes of yours! ❤

It means so much to me to see you "fail" and not be too hard on yourself AND keep going! You are SUCH an inspiration💖

The reveal was amazing. Cinematography, music and the beautiful mermaid. 💚

The timing is literally so perfect, I'm in such a greek mythology era right now!

omg babe wake up rachel maksy dropped a new unmissable sewing video

I love the concept, and I also totally get the whole giving up and not caring anymore thing. I have had many a projects that ended the same way, sometimes that's just how it goes. Props to you for still putting the video out there, I think it's great to show the things that don't always turn out the way we hoped, it's a very realistic thing to happen. I hope you are doing okay with the stressful life stuff.

I know it is usually that we are the most critical of our own creations, but this was a stunning project. Stunning work, and the ears, gloves, crown, makeup, and dress just nailed it. Honestly, you nailed it.

I loved the voice over of the guy saying " What is that?! "😅😅😅

Yay I get to watch before I move today!

“Much like Odysseus’s travel agent…” 😂🤣 Incredible line. *muwah*

Tbh it's so reassuring seeing someone who knows that good enough is better than all or nothing!! I'm equally ambitious but I achieve so much less because I'm always striving for smth so far beyond my time, skill and resource level so it's like therapy to see someone who can hustle and doesn't get too bogged down in details. You're a real artist, Rachel!

We get a Rachel vid AND a Micarah vid???? Aye yo

I love the look so much. :3

Please please please take care of yourself and rest after this!! This was a difficult prompt, and you put in so much effort, and quite honestly you look like a greek goddess in it! You've done well, Rachel, so please take it easy this week!

Every video of yours is charming, inspiring, and feels like hanging out with a friend. I don't think we're ever judging you the way you judge you. ❤ loved this video as usual!

aw my weekend's about to be AMAZING now that this dropped

Hey Rachel! Also all hail Wikipedia, earner of degrees

This is one of my favorite Maksy looks ever, and I am floored by how beautifully un-cupcake-y the bodice came out.

I really think it came out on camera better than you gave yourself credit for. The magnet on top of the dress form is for holding pins while draping. Also, Frodo is indeed cuteness embodied.

I'm early ❤

Fifth? 💓👕

I absolutely love how it turned out! Even if you don't like it, I think it turned out so pretty! It's haunting and lovely at the same time!

The little sanitary pantyhose/socks that they have for free at shoe stores make AMAZING hand webbing for sea creatures, just for future reference ;)

German actress from 1930s uh oh

i love how the concept was sirens, so I was expecting like blue or reddish colours and then Rachel comes back with all green/beige fabrics, genuinely love it

The dress, headband, ears , gloves, and makeup was amazing. You are so talented.

I know you didn't love the result but honestly it was phenomenal! I'm always so impressed and so inspired by what you create. Please know that even your "failures" (sooooo not a failure) are incredibly inspiring to your audience! Thank you for another epic video 💜

Your hair looked incredible. And I will say it louder for the people in the back, YOUR HAIR LOOKED INCREDIBLE! Despite everything going on in your life, you made the reveal kick butt. So freaking cool. I repeated the reveal several times just to gawk at its wonder. As a certified folklorist I'm proud of you (especially that you included the bird version of the siren briefly) I kinda want to do this for Halloween now.

Rachel, you are too hard on yourself! You did a great job considering the week you had, and the lack of time you had to complete a project to your high standards. You did far more than I did this past week. AND you stood out there on the rocks at the waterfront in the freezing cold. PROPS!💚

7:50 The magnetic cap of the dress form is a feature because you can take it off and shove pins there like a giant pin cushion. Useful if you don't have one of this pin cushions that you strap to your wrist like a bouquet at prom.

Girl, you need to break your bigger projects into several videos. I can feel how stressed you are through the screen. You beautiful bean! Most of us are here because we enjoy your personality, what you fill that time with is secondary. Take care of yourself, give yourself some more time to breathe and be a human. You are always so critical of yourself, don't be. You're doing great. Don't be the biggest obstacle to being happy be your self talk.

I’m sorry you felt burned out! We are totally here for all your fantastic creative endeavors. If you feel you must bow to a regular schedule, I would be happy to watch parts 1-billion of any project if you wanted to divvy it up across weeks. These things are a lot of work, and watching your process is a great deal of the fun! Be well!

Honestly the reveal looked really good at the end, but I absolutely get the creative burnout and wanting to give up on a project, and I’m very impressed that you finished, bc most of the time I just put the costume away and never finish 😂❤.

To echo what so many members of this gorgeous community are saying, I do also want to say this with so much love and the respect one has for a stranger they care for- please don't push yourself beyond capacity to get a video done in a week. Some projects take longer and taking two or three weeks on a video is totally okay and we will all happily watch a healthy, rested, Rachel create at her own pace! Goofy silly videos, room transformations, historical things, projects- they are all wonderful. We love the things you create. But though I can't speak for everyone- I know that the majority of us are here for you. And though we absolutely love the projects, they come second to you (+ your wellbeing.) Your charm, your humour, your energy, your excitement- we are here for you! The projects are amazing but if you need more time, we will wait!

OMG we have matching costumes now!! This makes me so happyyyyy!!!

Also .. I'm seeing so many people commenting this, and as much as you brighten my day each time I see your videos, slow down, finish your project without the undue time crunch. No one cares if you post on a specific schedule. Do it right and then post randomly. That's what notifications are for. We'll wait. Your genius should NOT be rushed, but allowed to bloom in it's own time. That's what we want to see.