Stash Busting and TNT's (Tried and Trues)

I have spent the first two weeks of 2014 contemplating my very large stash of fabric. I can't even remember how I acquired all of it, well mostly I can. Its called working graveyard shift and being the first to receive sales flyers in my inbox. For the record, buying fabric does not replace talk therapy and anti-depressants, just so you know.

Though, I can't deny the tactile pleasures that come with a new box of fabrics. I'm sure if I did some digging there's be research on a small endorphin rush that temporarily satisfies the mind and body. But I'm totally feeling lazy so lets just pretend I might know what I'm talking about, k? 

But what I wanted to talk about is actually sewing up all this fabric using Tried and True patterns (TNT - patterns that have already been fitted and can be made up again and again. The Hawthorn being one of my example). It was after reading Cation Design's post about continuing the stash busting into 2014 that I sat down and made a list of all the patterns I've done the work for and will probably make again. I was kind of surprised at the list. Here they are in no particular order.

Current TNT Patterns:

Simplicity 2369 Wrap Dress

Lady Skater (and a million variations)

Penny Pinafore

Colette Hawthorn

Vogue 8747 Princess Seam Blouse

New Look 6564 cropped jacket/bolero

Vogue 8701 raglan sleeve dress 

Vogue 8679 raglan sleeve knit sheath dress and a-line skirt

Colette Clovers

Cake Patterns Hummingbird Skirt

Gertie's Pencil Skirt from the book

Sewaholic Renfrew

Sewaholic Tofinos

Wow, that's actually a lot now that I think about it. I mean, that's what I thought to myself after writing it all down. But I also decided there were several gaps to fill in and made another list of patterns I WANT to become TNT's. 

TNT's To Be:

Colette Beinget

Colette Jasmine

Colette Laurel

By Hand London's Victoria Blazer

Sugar Plum by Lolita Patterns

Jalie Jeans

Sewaholic Cambie

Sewaholic Thurlows

Butterick 5859

Simplicity 1882

Vogue 8766

Which, looking at it on screen instead of my Sewisit's Notebook (Thank you Dad!) its seems like a way bigger list to tackle. I think I'm going to focus on separate for a bit. Those being Jasmine and Thurlows first. 

And here's the thing, the majority of my stash was bought with one of the above patterns in mind already, with several one off statement pieces on the back burner. Some of them have been on this back burner for years, waiting for me to level up my skills, I may not have been prolific but I certainly had a lot of DING! moments (gamer humor, i can never escape it).

I, ladykatza, in an effort to be frugal with my purchases pledge to sew with stash fabrics at least 85% of the time. I shall continue to expand my TNT pattern selection as well as use existing ones thoughtfully to make a more cohesive and functional wardrobe. 

I also want to get back to writing process posts on my works in progress so as to help other sewists along in their journey to a self-made custom wardrobe that will make them happy.  Oh, and be better about replying to comments. I LOVE COMMENTS. Seriously, I read all of them. I want to get better at keeping up with other sewcialists as well.

So, what patterns do you have that you want to make into TNT's or are already TNT's. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Take care and have a wonderful day!

Pinning Inspiration

The whole reason my thought train is going down this path is because of Sarai's post about the insidious nature of "stuff" on Pinterest. And I totally get what she is saying, the wanting of pretty things can get under your skin.  Seeing all the beautifully decorated houses can make you feel like the worst house cleaner in the world (at least it does me, but a friend who cleans for a living assures me its not as bad as I think it is).

But Pinterest can be a pretty useful tool for inspiration. A while back I said that my moodboard was a song. A song called "The Land of Green Ginger".  And taking a non-literal route for clothing inspiration I've created this mood board and here are some of my favorite images from it. Some of them even inspired specific outfits out of my stash. I'll post more of those as the month progresses.  OH, and one last thing.  I finally start a day shift next week for the first time since Mom passed away. 

Source: Uploaded by user via Lady on Pinterest

Color in the winter, muted pastels against the snow is what this makes me think of.

Source: rustandrain.tumblr.com via Lady on Pinter

Source: thefancy.com via Lady on Pinterest

Otherworldly structure imposed on nature.

Source: tumblr.com via Lady on Pinterest

Nature has beautiful brown earth tones, makes me think of trousers.

Source: ilyke.net via Lady on Pinterest

Honestly, this one just speaks for itself.

Source: weheartit.com via Lady on Pinterest

Turquoise. That's all.

Source: richardverdegaalfotografie.nl via Lady on Pinterest

Pink and black, fast becoming one of my favorite combinations.

Source: flickr.com via Lady on Pinterest

Gates. Man-made structures surrounded by the soon-to-take-over greenery of a garden, like barely contained chaos.

Wow, I had no idea that was going to be so hard to decide on. I challenge y'all to make a mood board with non-literal inspiration and share it in the comments below, or on your blog.

Colette Patterns Spring Palette Challenge

So, after much consideration and thought, I have decided to join the Colette Spring Palette Challenge. I had already put together a "plan of action" of getting my wardrobe spring/summer work ready. I put together an "inspirational board" though I don't know how much it has in common with what I actually want to sew. I am fairly sure about the Bella Pant from Burdastyle, however. I will be using the dusty grey denim from my stash to make those, and probably steal some buttons from my mother-in-law's massive stash. But as you will see in the pictures below, I am embracing the "florals and prints" of this season.

So, in no particular order:

1)Bella Pant in dusty grey denim

2)Colette's Crepe in the blue/grey floral

4)Liz Blouse out of the shabby chic white/pink/blue floral

3)New Look cropped jacket out of the cream/honeysuckle floral (view D)

The gold fabric is a silk jersey and I already have it laid out to make another TNT 3/4 sleeve cowl neck. I'll have enough left to make a tank in View A

of the New Look pattern. And I've already cut that same cowl neck out of this crazy silk charmeuse, but with butterfly sleeves. I adore this print, its pretty wild, but working with it makes my eyes cross in weird ways(also, its slippery). Hopefully it will have the same distracting effect to others when I wear it.

In other news, I did try on muslin #3 and it fit fairly well except I still needed more room in the bust. Le Sigh. The dress itself works into the palette but I don't think I'm going to try and count it. I was getting sick of it so its been set aside so I can whip up these TNT shirts come my next day off.

So I think that's my plan. Make a couple of shirts out of the work horse patterns and then I will start tracing and modifying the other patterns I plan on sewing up over this 10 week period. In the mean time I should probably do some studying for that 'professional life' of mine. You know, the one that pays the bills? That part might be taking some exciting turns soon. I don't know, we'll see.

In the mean time, STAY FABULOUS!

I must be crazy.

I probably mentioned already, but I'm doing the Great Vintage Sew-a-Long of 2011. The pattern I chose is from the early 1940's and the inspiration was from a Ralph Lauren dress of Spring 2010. I can't tell you how many times I've altered this pattern but the copies I traced out now look something like Frankenstein's Monster. I'm about to do muslin #3 and it better damn well fit!

In other news, I need a needle board before I start on my cropped velvet jacket. Mom says she has one I can have, but that means driving 50 miles through Atlanta traffic. Which... I dunno, I find that drive stressful. But its really nice to have a Mom that has all these nifty tools. Though I have learned that using a thick terry cloth towel and having some natural bristle type brush to brush the pile after steaming and then finger pressing works too. Just, ya know, not quite as efficiently.

But aside from just being weird most of the time, I'm now considering joining Colette Patterns' Spring Palette Challenge. To quote one of my friends "wow... you are really into this". Everyone needs a hobby. Thing is, I have already started something like wardrobe planning and I want to get to it. I've pretty much given up on finishing my Lady Grey coat in any sort of timely fashion. I think the fitting/tailoring aspect is a little daunting. After this dress and the cropped jacket I think I'll be ready to tackle the coat. Maybe have it ready for next winter?

Hopefully my next post will have progress pictures and palette ideas for spring.

Primary New Year!

(Lounging with Manga the Cat)

The hubby and I rang in the new year with fireworks at a friend's house. And by "rang" I mean my ears are still ringing from the mishap that caused some to go off under the seat where I was sitting (and blew a hole in my friend's pants, but don't worry, she's Ok). I mean, seriously. Alcohol and explosives, what could possibly go wrong? Still, we had a wonderful time! New year's day found me recovering. It was raining and I was feeling lethargic. I did manage to cut out a dress and a shirt, just haven't stitched them together. A friend came over to hang out with our roommate and spent the night. She was kind enough to help Felicity made a clock battery out of potatoes. And then an orange. (My kids do science experiments and art projects for fun because that's how we roll)

So the nerd in me is excited as this year is also a Primary Number. How exciting is that! This means its going to be an extra special year because I say so! I'm just thinking that I embarked on the journey of learning to sew fashion clothing for myself almost two years ago. I have found quite a community of passionate sewists online that have led me to resources and lent me the strength to overcome hurdles. This sounds corny but its helped in other areas of my life as well. Everyone needs a sense of accomplishment.

I want to continue adding new skills to my sewing repertoire. Bound buttonholes are on the list, as well as a bit of tailoring, sewing with sheer fabric, and maybe even more design work. I dunno, we'll see. Oh yeah, and PANTS! I need to learn to make pants.

I have other goals that are not related to sewing, unless you count loosing weight. I'm down 25 pounds since the beginning of 2010 and my goal is another 25. This will put me at pre-baby weight (but not my all time low) and I'll be happy there. Then there's the career goals... Anywho! I shall endeavor to share more of my planning thoughts and day dreams of what, in a perfect world, I would have the time and energy (and money) to sew up for a fabulous wardrobe!

Stay Fabulous!

Theoretical Clothing - Part 1 of Wardrobe Planning for Fall and Spring

So like many people that love to sew we also love to shop for, and collect fabrics. Because ONE DAY we're going to make them into fabulous clothing. Every single piece we buy, honest. "You believe me honey, right?" I say to my husband. "I dunno, what's in it for me?" he asks. The rest of that conversation is not meant for this blog, thankyouverymuch.

In an effort to keep myself motivated and actually have, ya know, something to post I intend to do a series of wardrobe planning posts. The fabric I have and what I plan to make with it. Its good to have goals. That's what I keep telling myself, anyway. In any case, I have some sapphire blue wool jersey that I am going to make another dress like the polkadot one. I plan on lengthening the sleeves and leaving it at "just below the knee" length. I have found it to be one of my favorite dresses patterns as it provides a lovely backdrop for so many accessories.

But I also really need some blouses and camisoles. I have two patterns in the stash for that. Both of them are out of print McCall's patterns and both will require a good bit of adjustment for the bust. The good news about the actual blouse is that it has multiple sleeve options. Hooray for multi-season workhorse patterns! I might also take another crack at the Sencha Blouse. And last but no least for winter I want a black cotton velvet cropped jacket. I have this New Look 6564 and I want to make view E. Though I haven't decided if I want to add trim or not. I don't think I do.

But before I do ANY of that I am going to sew together my daughter's robe and make a pair of PJ's for my son.

There will be pictures later, PROMISE!