Pages

Thursday 7 January 2016

Sewing plans?





Reading everyone's sewing plans at the beginning of the new year made me stop and think about where I am heading. In recent years I filled some gaps in my wardrobe and now I've reached the point where I can honestly say I don't need to sew anything. What's more, I don't need fabric. Or patterns. I find that a very liberating thought.

I can fully concentrate on what I really want to sew! 

When I reflect on last year's sewing there was one project that I enjoyed from planning stage till sewing on the last carefully selected button: the trench coat I worked on for almost three months. Underlined, bound buttonholes, flat piping, lbeautiful lining, lots of details and some hand sewing. It's the kind of project I love, also resulting in the kind of garment that I know will last for years. In order to make more projects like this I'm going to change directions and slow down my sewing even more. 

When I look at my stash I see a lot of fabric that I like, and only a small pile that I really love. Most of my fabrics are bought locally, or within a radius of 20 km from my home. Cotton and knits are easily available but don't ask for silk, cashmere, tweed or even crepe or you'll get the side eye. 

For a few special projects a year I'd rather buy one length of designer silk than add ten lengths to the stash that don't spark real joy. Ha! Enter the life changing effects of the Marie Kondo method ;)

Now when will these changes in my sewing start? Probably during the second half of this year. After three years of inactivity, caused by a painful back injury, I went back to the gym in November. Just two months later I'm not only regaining strength but I've also noticed a change in my measurements. I'll give it a few more months to see where it's going before starting to make close fitting tailored jackets or other time consuming garments that could turn into a potential alterations nightmare.

So what are the plans  dreams for 2016?

During the first half of the year I hope to:
- Sew a dent in my existing stash by making wrap dresses, shirts, tees and casual skirts 
- Sew a shirt for mr Foxgloves
- Watch all Alison Smith Craftsy classes
- Try new techniques from various Claire Shaeffer books, Kenneth D King's Cool Couture and 
- Learn how to draft slopers
  
After the summer holidays:
- Make trips to Nanucci Tesutti and Silk Route in Amsterdam, collect swatches from Linton 
  and who knows, maybe even take the train to Paris, to buy special fabrics 
- Start working on one or two jackets

Maybe you noticed the question mark in the title of this post. Perhaps these plans are more ambitious than realistic in a year in which we also plan to redecorate our home and maybe even build an extension. I also know myself well enough to foresee that it only takes one exciting release of a shiny new pattern to change what I want to sew overnight. But a girl can dream. 

To keep myself focused I ordered Vogue 1721 on Etsy, an Oscar de la Renta pattern that will get a prominent spot in my sewing room as it embodies all of my plans in the best way imaginable. For me the picture of that jacket paints a thousand words.




Whatever your sewing dreams are, I hope you'll make them come true in 2016!


16 comments:

  1. Wonderful! Looks like a lot of us have tailoring plans, that's so inspirational!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Just before I sat down to my computer to look at Bloglovin posts, I had walked into my sewing room and immediately walked out. There is no direction in my sewing plans and the stash is overwhelming. So reading your post has made me realize that I need a plan because I do not need any more fabric,patterns or even clothes. Like you I get caught up in the latest new pattern release and put off the dream projects like this beautiful Oscar de la Renta pattern you have purchased. Good luck with all of your plans for 2016 Marianne and thanks for the inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's not a good sign, Marjorie. Your sewing room should be a happy place! I don't like rules and restrictions in the sewing room, but on the other hand I don't want to go through piles of clutter either before I can start a new project. My stash is about to burst out of its dedicated space and I'm not going to let that happen. I hope you'll come up with a plan too to master your fabulous stash!

      Delete
  3. Looks like you know the direction your sewing is headed in Marianne. Hope it all comes to fruition for you. I will enjoy following along.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was so helpful to put all of my random thoughts into a masterplan! Thanks for following along, let's see if I can stay focused long enough to really make it happen :)

      Delete
  4. love your plans. especially as I do share your love for more making more time consuming patterns. Love the Oscar de la Renta pattern and defintely have to visit the Amsterdam store sometime. For me it's first moving though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, do! I forgot to mention Nanucci Tessutti when you asked me about my favourite fabric shops. You need to go in with a plan, as Valentino fabric doesn't come cheap, but it's so, so beautiful. Good luck with your move!

      Delete
  5. That sounds like a great direction for 2016. Oh my those swatches at the top make my heart sing. So beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I can stare at the Linton site for hours!

      Delete
  6. You had me at the photo of those Linton tweeds! Swoon... The Oscar de la Renta jacket looks like it was designed just for you. I am really looking forward to seeing what you do with "your" year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some of the inspiration for my plans comes from your blog, Karen. I love how the research you put into patterns, designers and fabrics results in garments that tell a story. I don't think it's coincidence I fell for a 1996 jacket pattern: around that time I made a lot of tailored jackets, some of them are still in my closet. Must have missed the Oscar de la Renta when it came out!

      Delete
  7. How wonderful! Sewing what you really want to, using quality fabrics and careful technique - I look forward to following along. Excellent news about your gym results.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Anne, I didn't expect to see progress so soon, but it's really going well!

      Delete
  8. That sounds so sensible. I love that pattern. I've just finished a Linton tweed chanel style jacket. In lucky enough to live 1 hour away from their shop.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. So far I had no luck selling Carlisle as a holiday destination to mr Foxgloves, but I would love to take a look around in the Linton shop! I can't recall seeing your jacket, is it still unblogged? Looking forward to the reveal!

      Delete
  9. It is amazing and wonderful to visit your site. I've learn many things from your site.
    pipe lining companies

    ReplyDelete