Sunday, January 18, 2009

Next????

I don't know about you, but sometimes I get a little ahead of myself when I'm considering my next sewing project. Here's a perfect example:

This skirt is halfway done, so it's only natural to think, "What next?", right? So, considering the plethora of colors in the wool, I dug in the stash and found 2 knits that would work for cooordinating tops. Royal blue and Chocolate brown jersey would both match, so I went to the pattern drawer and dug through my BWOF to find appropriate patterns. While the fabric was in the wash, I traced off 12-2008-113 for the royal blue, and cut out Vogue 7799 for the chocolate brown.
I've also been really wanting to do a new white classic button-down for myself (which would also match the half-done skirt), and that would go with lots! So, this morning, I cut McCall's 5522, and am trying very, very hard to listen to Ann and make a non-wearable muslin. Amanda has made this shirt twice, both times turned out so great, I'm really anxious to make it!

Yesterday, more sub-zero temps and more snow (we won't be using the barbecue anytime soon), so the blue top got cut out. Meanwhile, there are 2 UFO's from December that just need a couple finishing touches, but they aren't getting done. Why hem and attach buttons when it's so much more fun to cut into fresh fabric and plan a new garment, ya know?

And, in the back of my mind, I'm already debating on the next item in line: skirt or jacket? The wool on the left is stiffer, and the stripes run on the grain (horizontal on the body), while the wool on the right has a really soft hand, and would be a better jacket than the other, but I'm not opposed to 2 skirts, either...

Not to mention that I have a muslin of a prom dress I'm supposed to be working on, and I've got a potential customer for a Mother of the Groom dress (July 09)! So, my brain is about 10 steps ahead of where it should be, and it's time for me to relocate my butt from the laptop to the sewing machine! Did you notice my new homemade gadget in the very first picture? The two pencils taped together with popsicle sticks between them? A lovely person on the Threads board tipped me off on a cheap and easy way to trace BWOF patterns to include a seam allowance. One tip follows the seam line while the other lays down the cutting line. Cool, huh? It has really helped speed up my tracing time! Speaking of which, I'm really leaving this time...

6 comments:

Naptime Seamstress said...

I did notice your homemade gadget. I've been thinking about making one, but I've got to be honest - the thought of trying to measure between the points of the pencils and trying to keep it exactly the same has me bogggled. Do you mind telling us how you did that? The gadgets are 3.28 at Clotilde. I just haven't ordered mine yet.

Bunny said...

Great tip on your new tool! I am anxiously awaiting my first BWOF and the suspense is killing me. I may hit you up for some help.

You have some great color and fabric choices there.

Unknown said...

Just take 2 pencils (I like the beveled kind, they sit flat and don't move) and layer the popsicle sticks between them, or corrugated cardboard strips. I have 4 sticks (5/8"), but you can space them as far or narrow as you like your seam allowances. Measure to make sure you're accurate, then tape them together tightly. I'll need to reset mine, the pencils need sharpening already!

Dawn said...

Look at all that yummy fabric!!

Meg said...

Looks like it's listmaking time for you! I find when I have so much to consider I have to attempt to prioritize. That works for a couple of weeks...

Anonymous said...

oh I hear ya! I'm always mentally about 3-4 projects ahead of what my hands are sewing...

And I seem to be in the minority, but I can just eyeball 5/8" after the amount of BWOF, Knip, and Patroneses I've sewn...