We've all heard of 'writer's block', but do any of you experience 'garment sewing block'? It's time to make my September plans for the
'Make a Garment a Month' challenge, and I'm just at a loss. *sigh*
Sarah Liz's thought process behind her monthly themes she shares with us are always fun, and this
September's Sewing Theme was no different.
After some 'sideways thinking' she came to the point of simply encouraging us to sew for the new season upon us.
This is an international group of sewists, so some are entering spring/summer and some are entering fall/winter.
In South Carolina we are entering the season of Autumn (or Fall) of which I am so ready!! There's something about the change in the air, the crispness, the way the sunlight falls, harvest moon, pumpkins.... okay, okay, you get the idea that Fall is my favorite season of all. Hmmm, this still isn't helping my garment sewing block. *sigh* For some reason I feel completely... uninspired. *sigh* It didn't help that after measuring a couple of fabric pieces earlier today, while thinking of this post I needed to write, to find, disappointingly, that I did not purchase enough yardage to make into the garment I was thinking of. *sigh* Trying to move forward, I think I'll crack open my 'Happy Homemade Sew Chic 20 Simple Everyday Designs' book by Yoshiko Tsukiori...
...to make Pattern J... down there in the bottom right corner, photo below.... (btw, my book was purchased from B&N and is written in English)....
...Jacket with Back Tie...
...from a piece of gorgeous woven fabric...
...that has a beautiful raw selvage end I'm hoping to incorporate for the front finish. I think (hope!) I have enough to do this, as each raw selvage's end threads are a little different, so the front pieces will have to be cut separately using only one side.
This will be my first garment from this book..... or from any of her books for that matter. Most of the other versions of this jacket have been done in linen and one in a wool blend....you can check out the links here.....
.....and now I cannot remember what my fabric's content is... *sigh* ...other than it is not linen... and it
was only purchased yesterday, because after one's annual mammogram,
which is oh-not-so-fun, one has to stop by the fabric store and enlarge
one's stash.
Hancock's Fabrics was the perfect place to go!
Oh Lisa, your plan sounds so good! The fabric has lovely colours and texture and what a clever idea to use the selvedge! I like how the selvedge has a touch of red. It's going to be lovely and truly one of a kind. And I just read today that a wrap style coat or jacket has the advantage of wrapping more snugly or loosely for fit.
ReplyDeleteYou asked on Flickr if I I have problems figuring out what to sew next. Boy, do I have problems! I always suffer from garment sewing block after I complete each project. While I am in the middle of sewing something, my head will be exploding with all the things I want to sew next, but the minute I finish my project, suddenly I can't think of what to sew. I flit from pattern to pattern, one fabric to another. Then I get impatient because I am wasting precious sewing time haha. Once I get over my sewing indecision, the cutting is also a bit of a pian, but the sewing goes so quickly :)
I have tried to analyse my sewing indecision dilemma and I think I have identified one major reason for it. I view each of my humble fabrics (really they are nothing very fancy or expensive) as being the last of its very kind and hence I need to match it up with the most perfect pattern that will use up exactly all of the yardage leaving no waste. As you can see, that is a rather ridiculous task, hence the indecision. I really need to just view my floral linen as just a piece of lovely cloth and there are more of where it came from, in different forms waiting to be discovered, and I cannot move on the next lovely thing if I keep getting stuck on one. Having said that I am now undecided between 2 patterns to sew with my linen floral. I started out with 3 narrowed down to 2. You can see it here on my instagram. http://instagram.com/oppknits
Have a lovely weekend!
I've been out of town and am so sorry for the delay in replying to your lovely garment sewing block explanation! I love this Erin! You so eloquently put into words all the things whirling around in my head that I experience too! Will definitely check out your instagram. Thank you so much for your kind encouraging words.
DeleteLisa, this will be gorgeous.. Love the fabric.. I saw this sewing book on another blog.. Some really cute things in it. I had to laugh, at your rationale for going to Hancocks.. That is so me.. I just went for the not so fun mammogram too... and afterwards...I treated myself to Hancocks and Hobby lobby.ha
ReplyDeleteOooooo, looks like we think alike too, in all sorts of good ways!!! Thank you Judy!
DeleteI also have garment sewing block at the moment. I have eleven pieces of fabric matched up with 8 different patterns and I'm scared stiff to put scissors to one in case I'm sorry I didn't use that other piece. Then, which one will I make first? Decisions, decisions! Opportunityknits expressed my problems perfectly.
ReplyDeleteYour chosen pattern looks like a very nice usable jacket and I love the fabric.
Kathy, you said it too! So many decisions at so many different levels.... thank you!
DeleteI think we all get a sewing block at some point especially if the last make didn't turn out as hoped. I love the fabric you are planning to use and looking forward to seeing how you make use of the selvage
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to hear that 'misery loves company'?, in that all of us seem to suffer sewing block at times. Thank you Tracy!
DeleteYes, sewer's block is just part and parcel of sewing. I often have it (unbelievably) or the opposite - too many ideas!! I just find that the best thing to do is to do something.
ReplyDeleteWell done for having your mammogram - they don't bother me, but then there is not much of me to pinch and press - I gather it is quite uncomfortable for a lot of ladies. Still, very necessary, and some people avoid necessary things. You should have got two lengths of material after your endurance !
I forgot to say - I love this jacket. I am sure you will make your version turn out very nicely :)
DeleteP.S. I just re-read - you did stash up, so that's okay!! A just reward.
DeleteYes, a 'just reward'.... like the sounds of that! 'Too many ideas' is also a good point. Why is there such a fluctuation between 'too little' and 'too many'? Could it be because sewing is a creative process and there is not always a constant in creating? It's nice to know I'm not alone. Thank you Sarah Liz!
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