Have you ever picked the pattern out, mentally gone through your notions and button collections and even thought of the "perfect" embellishment for the garments?
Have you?
Have you ever "seen" additional pieces in your mind made from the same piece of fabric, as well as a coordinating fabric that's been bugging the heck out of you! Because you just knew that this piece of fabric would be in your collection to the end of all time?
And finally, have you ever imagined all of those pieces completely sewn, finished and hanging in your closet?
Well, have you?
Today I did just that! I had a few minutes, somehow carved out of an ultra-busy day, to daydream...and I put together an entire 5 piece "core" wardrobe in my head. I was sooooo excited! I kept running the possibilities through my mind...coordinating these new pieces with some existing wardrobe pieces...and can I say it again, I was just soooooo excited! These new pieces were completely doable. They would play nice with some existing pieces and add some needed flexibility to my work wardrobe...but there was just one hitch!
The base fabric...the one I was dreaming and slobbering over...the main ingredient in the collection...the piece that made it ALL possible...was still on Fabric Mart's site!
That's right, I built an entire mini wardrobe around a piece of fabric that wasn't even in my posession! Now do you realize how sick this is? Do you realize how far my addiction has taken me? So you know what I did, right? Yes, I exhaled...I relaxed, released and let go and bought the damn thing! *LOL*
Eleven yards...can I say it for you again...Eleven yards...one more time...Eleven yards later...I'm left wondering what happened to fabric restraint! Ummmm, storage issues! Or how about sewing with what's already in the collection...*sigh*
So do you wanna see what tortured yet inspired me today:
This lovely inexpensive herringbone acetate and rayon blend from Fabric Mart! And before you get your noses out of joint...I know it's an inexpensive fabric...and I know that its not going to have any of those amazing properties that natural fabrics do...BUT some of my best work suits are made from these hardworking, won't wrinkle, won't bend...can do anything to them and they still look good after 12 hours in them, suits!
Here is the main pattern:
Vintage baby...yes! This is Vogue 7180 - pattern description - Semi-fitted jacket has rolled collar and full length sleeves; welt trim. Slim dress with contrast double breasted bodice has self belt...(I don't know about the belt)...but isn't this kewl!
So the question for today is..."Have You Ever?!"
Oh, yes, I have - and do! And usually, of course, it requires a purchase to put my plan into action. No wonder I keep buying fabric! I have been eying that same fabric, by the way. I agree with you - I need fabrics that can get washed, worn, thrown in a heap, go through that cycle a ton of times and still look good!
ReplyDeleteI have. I do this often. I sometimes even go to the trouble to draw all the pieces, coordinate them on paper, and pile the fabric/notions/trims/patterns, etc. all together. Then I dream, I wish, I hope, then eventually it all gets put back on the shelf, box, and tin. One or two pieces may even actually get sewn up on occasion. Isn't it fun to dream?
ReplyDeleteGood for you. If you were going to fall off the fabric wagon, I think that was worth the fall. And the mental work is sometimes the hardest, so you're already halfway there. (Once the fabric arrives anyway).
ReplyDeleteI love herringbone.
Cool Pattern plus cool fabric! I can see it. I have attention deficit disorder, sewing-style, so I never make wardrobes. But I admire those people with the strength of character to do so! I look forward to seeing what you make.
ReplyDeleteSeeing this fabric,I don't blame you for falling of the wagon.It is beautiful.Yes,I have spent time blissfully dreaming of the perfect sewn wardrobe.Good times.Good times
ReplyDeleteHon, I bought that same herringbone from Fabric Mart today. I only hope it's as nice as the photos!! It's such a classic, I have high hopes for some work pieces.
ReplyDeleteThe answer is yes. And we'll blame the falling off the wagon on the calendar changing to October. Beautiful piece. Marvelous pattern. Love it!
ReplyDeleteYes, I did it just last weekend. I bought a 4m length of a border print cotton from the op shop. It has a border of rectangles in three colours and then a wider stripe of spots in two colours and then the bulk of the fabric is small green dots. In seconds I knew what I would make from it, right down to how I would use each of the borders. In seconds I saw the completed dress AND had paired it with a pair of shoes stashed at the back of the cupboard (purchased from an op shop and as yet unworn). I even knew which handbag I would carry with it. So far, I have traced the pattern. Tonight I will cut the fabric and this weekend I will sew it up. I hope to have it up on my blog by Sunday night! We shall see ...
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see your outfit.
Oh, yes, as I have just begin sewing after a 10-year hiatus, I've got it all planned. The fitting issues are kinda stopping me, but I must go forward! And with your inspiration, so helpful! BTW, for a work situation that requires fabrics of steel, I do agree about using some of these synthetics, esp if they are stylish too, as this is! Can't wait to see the mini-wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteI usually do it backwards which can be very frustrating. I have a finished garment pictured in my head and then I have to find the fabric for it. I'm off shopping this afternoon in fact, I'll see if I can beat your 11 yards!
ReplyDeleteMany many times, I have looked in my closet for an outfit only to realize after several minutes that the fabric was still to be made up! I have a single button (salvaged off an Origins gift bag!) which has been imagined into several fabulous 1-button jackets. Alas, those are still in my imagination too ...
ReplyDeleteBetsyV
I know better than to read your posts while drinking coffee, I almost lost it today with this post...you are hilarious...and so RIGHT! I imagine these outfits all the time and try to only act on it on occasion. I LOVE watching your adventures!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the laugh today.
Yes I have! Many, many times! That's how my mind works when planning my sewing projects!
ReplyDeleteYes I have done the same thing and some of my best outfits come out of so called "bargain" fabric. I can totaly see your vision with that fabulous vintage pattern. Can't wait to see the end result. Mary
ReplyDeleteOh, totally, Carolyn. Usually, like you, with a piece of fabric I don't own yet. Helps me figure out how much I'll need. ;)
ReplyDeleteJodi
No I haven't, but you are making me wanna....lol That Fabric is Gorgeous. You also had me over at Fashionitas Fabrics...haha
ReplyDeleteI think that suit jacket will be a lovely sillhouette on you!
ReplyDeleteEnabler rationale: You needed the new fabric to create the co-ordinating wardrobe that will utilize lots of existing fabric thus reducing your stash.>:D
ReplyDeleteGood at planning--bad at doing. My sewing ADD usually kicks in before I get to the 3rd piece. Love seeing your successes.
I'm convinced not getting enough fabric of one selection is why sewing people have a lot of clothes and yet nothing to wear. That piece looks like a great wardrobe foundation. I have dreamed zillions of outfits/wardrobes that were only a dream (left behind) but you have to have a dream to start a project - right? The dream is a big part of the fun. mssewcrazy
ReplyDeleteOften, I find a fabric and say, "That would make a nice (whatever)!" Sometimes I have the pattern, sometimes it takes me weeks or years to stumble on the right one.
ReplyDeleteand I'm with you on the hardworking fabrics. I dream of silk and wool, but after 9 kids and self employment, I have long recognized that you just have to have fabrics that will last as long as you do - sort of like the hairspray commercial when we both were children: "She conked out, but her hair held up!"
Have a productive weekend!
YES! All the time. Half of my wardrobe is made of "hardworking fabrics". I love it. Carolyn, it is always a joy to stop by your blog. You always manage to lure me in and hold me captive. You are such an artist, such a poet.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
C
Great fabric, fabulous pattern. I am looking forward to the finished products. Good for you for following your instincts and buying that fabric!
ReplyDeleteI second what Carole said: great fabric, fabulous pattern. It is going to look gorgeous. I'm with you on synthetic fabrics--natural fibers are wonderful but some of my best work clothes are synthetics. Just as you said--they resist wrinkling and still look professional after a full day of work. I know you will create something gorgeous with it!
ReplyDeleteWell, no, I can't say I have but only because I don't have your talent, style, and imagination! I do so enjoy reading about your sewing adventures. That pattern is wonderful. Also, thanks for the laugh. Thankfully, I swallowed the mouthful of milk before I started reading!
ReplyDeleteHappy sewing!
Teresa
Love the whole concept and fabric, too! I completely understand the choice of fiber content of the fabric. When I was teaching, most of my wardrobe was made of the same stuff, for the same reasons. It still looked good at the end of the day, wore like iron, machine washed and was usually $5.00 or less in Joann's clearance!
ReplyDeleteYep! I'm with you! Maybe it's not wool or some other natural fabric... but, you need to sew/use what is a good fabric for you! It really is a nice looking piece. Good for you! I've been sooo good at not buying anything, that is with an exception or two of sewing for someone else! I did pretty good I made a dress for a little girl that had stash white satin from her gramma's stash, and a purple crepe back satin, (also from gramma's stash) and used some white dull satin from my stash... but then had to buy a piece of lace (for an over skirt) and then..... made a big mistake.... (don't you just hate that?) and had to buy another piece to fix my mistake! Such is life! At least it didn't stay in the stash!
ReplyDeleteYou brighten my day with your blog!Thanks again!
Okay, I'm playing follow the leader. I had been checking the fabric out and trying to resist. When I saw your post, I gave up and ordered the fabric. It came yesterday and I love it. The reverse side is great. So now to daydream about what it will become. Looking forward to seeing how your garments turn out.
ReplyDelete