See, I have enough fabric from the great fabric switchover bin to make at least 3x that amount of garments. And if I don't purchase another yard (highly unlikely I know!) I'm only going to use a third of that fabric this summer. That thought made me pause...hell it made me stop in my tracks because I just don't have enough time to sew all the things I want.
Now the challenge becomes do I sew garments I like and want or do I just sew things to use up some of the fabric so that I can replace it with more or at the very least sew down the pile some? How do I fit more sewing time in so that I can just make garments I love but still manage to use more fabric? And finally where do I put all of these finished garments? I am seriously running out of closet space...*sigh*
The storage thing can be worked out, I know, but the time thing? Now that goes to the heart of my issue...not that I don't want to sew or have the ability to make the garments I desire...it's time. How do I find more in my schedule to spend more time doing the thing I love? And isn't that a question we all ask ourselves, how to find more time?
If you find someone who is handing out extra time, please let me know. I haven't found an answer yet, I think I've got it and it slips out of my fingers.
ReplyDeleteI am experiencing the same dilemma right now...tons of fabric, but where was I yesterday? The fabric store!!
ReplyDeleteI hear ya, Carolyn. My fabric buying has turned into a serious habit. Seriously, sometimes I think it is a form of addiction! You're always searching the high (or the comfort, as you so aptly pointed out) but then it's not enough and the cycle starts all over again! I think we should start a 12-step group . . .
ReplyDeleteLOL. Yeah, lots of fabric and not enough time. The question is, if you loved the fabric enough to buy it in the first place, why don't you love it enough to sew it up now? I know that some of the fabric I have is the kind of thing that screams, what was I thinking! But, most of what I have is stuff I honestly like, but was planning on making something I no longer wish to make.
ReplyDeleteOh Carolyn,I so rememeber being i your shoes up to 7 years ago when I retired from teaching. Now, I truly sew to my heart's desire and it's wonderful. Only thing is that I don't need all that many garments anymore.
ReplyDeleteYour time will come too.You are amazingly productive on the sewing front as is. I can't begin to imagine all you'll achieve when you finally have unlimited time to sew!!!
Yes. it is.
ReplyDeleteI have the same problem. I think we're twins.
You raise all the relevant issues. I wish I knew what to do about it all. Have you, maybe, on the topic of having too much fabric and wanting more fabric, considered selling or giving away some of your stash that no longer appeals? Then you will only work with fabric that thrills you, resulting likely, in more thrilling end results.
ReplyDeleteI try to buy fabric to go with a pattern so I know that I'll have to use it (or so the theory goes). Can't say it works entirely but it keeps me from fabric shopping when I'm on the fence.
I'm at least very good about culling the closet if not the fabric cupboards. So where to put all the clothes is less of a problem, but time is the issue.
ReplyDeleteI don't have the focus to sew after work and unfortunately I'm guilty of putting myself last. Need to get over that and do what I enjoy first and figure out how to do the laundry between seams.
I know how you feel Carolyn. All of it. That time issue is something I am struggling with too. There is so much more I want to do than I have time for. Sometimes it can get really frustrating.
ReplyDeleteAnd that fabric buying habit. Oh la la. That is really something that I should keep an eye on. Because nothing can comfort me more than browsing piles of fabric, touching it, imagining what I'll be making with it... and then buying it.
Gertie, if you start that 12 step program, can I join? I'm not sure if I want to, but I'm starting to think I might need to ;-)
Carolyn, I've been thinking along the same lines lately. I have lots of fabric it taking over my sewing area but so little time to sew.
ReplyDeleteTime is definitely an issue! I have been known to take days off just to sew. (I'm sure I'm not the only one.) My stash is very small, so I don't feel pressured to use it up. But as long as I have un-sewn fabric, I will feel the pressure of "not enough time".
ReplyDeleteHehehe.. I know what you mean. I have the same problem. I have tons of fabric and patterns and SWAPs in my head, but not enough time. :)
ReplyDeleteA battery-operated sewing machine you can use on the bus into NYC to go to work. Or just take your hemming or other handwork with you to work on. People knit and crochet and do other needlework while commuting, why shouldn't you?
ReplyDeleteToo bad you don't take a train with those tables for small groups on it ... Of course, shlepping a SM in and out of the city wouldn't be much fun, would it?
You know, I finally came to the realization that I really really enjoy buying fabric and patterns, and fully acknowledge there is no way in the universe I will ever use all the fabric or make all the patterns, but life is short, and if that is the worse thing I do without causing sacrifice to my family... to heck with it!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to go with what K.Line said-it might be time to decide if you still love the fabric and want something out of it to wear.
ReplyDeleteYou don't need to be ruthless, though! Pick out a few things every week to gift to someone else-probably not everything still fits your style or taste, might as well move those on. I know from experience that ruthless purging is often something that will be regretted! (please don't ask me...I still can't believe I did it!)
I SO know what you mean about not enough time! I try to get up earlier and I try to stay up later .... but the days just fly by. So much to sew and so little time to sew it in!
ReplyDeleteOh, heavens, I would never sew up fabric just to get rid of it for more. What fun is that? I have to be inspired and motivated creatively. If that takes a new fabric purchase, well, so be it.
ReplyDeleteBIG mistake. Don't analyze the time and the fabric in the same equation. Sewing makes you happy. Your clothes are beautiful and you get them completed. You have an abundance of fabric and buying it makes you happy. End of story. Absolutely no need to justify it or second guess yourself. It's very simple...ENJOY! and feel very sorry for those poor saps who don't have a creative outlet!
ReplyDeleteWell, if you ever figure out how to cram more hours in the day, let me know.
ReplyDeleteI have more fabric than I really ought to, but end up buying more when I find that what I have on hand is just not right for whatever new pattern I'm currently obsessing about.
I'm getting better at tossing (actually donating) yardage that I've fallen out of love with though.
I'm with you on this post. I did some comfort fabric buying this week myself. I also am in need of time to sew it. I have a couple of weeks off work soon and I'm already planning a list of things to do!
ReplyDeleteThat makes two of us! I'm still sorting all my fabric and trying to figure out what I’m going to sew... I am leaning towards a spring trench coat...
ReplyDeleteI don't have the answer but if you figure it out please share. I'd love to find the formula. ha ha I always thought when I was this age (51) I would have all the time in the world to do what I wanted. Turns out even grandmas are busy. Having nine grandkids means it is someone's birthday, someone needs babysat, someone's sick and needs help, etc... I love the grandkids and all my children and wouldn't change a thing but time to sew does seem hard to find sometimes. I've been trying to sew or cut something out at least 30 minutes a day and it's really helping me fell like I can sew even working full time and being busy with life. I'm a fabric stasher also. When my daughter was so ill I would buy fabric online to help pass the time at the hospital. When I got home three weeks later I had more boxes waiting than I care to admit. I really need a 12 step program for fabricoholics.
ReplyDeleteOh yes. Indeed. Could I please get a week off per month so that I could SEW and catch up on all my projects??? :(
ReplyDeleteIf anybody starts a 12 step program, I would fail at the first step. Buying fabric makes me happy and no matter what I do there will never be enough time to sew up what I own. Will that stop me from buying more fabric, no. Life is too short to worry about things that you can't control such as time. Enjoy your fabric and the time that you spend making garments.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to the long comments I wrote yesterday?
ReplyDeleteMarji. From the Droid
I send 20 pieces of fabric to a tailor I found in Hoi An (yaly) and with a few emails between us, I got some of my basics done. Now I focus on being creative (LOL).
ReplyDeleteI'm looking for the extra time card too. I had a whole weekend and didn't get anything done because I injured my leg. I really want to sew!
ReplyDeleteIt is so tough! I *know* I have more fabric than I can possibly sew, and I *know* there are dozens of projects in there that I have planned and am excited about, and yet I cannot stop wanting more!!! I need that 12 step thing too.
ReplyDeleteSigh, I know. I've done that math too, and also need that 12 step group. Absolutely convince myself I can and will sew it all- and am dumbfounded when I actually sit down and list my most-pressing, most-falling-all-over-myself-with-excitement projects I want to do *Immediately!* and realize the vastness of hours/days/weeks/months/years they add up to. And yet more fabric and ideas sneak in there, especially when stressed out, something about fabric shopping- getting lost in one simple idea, the perfect project in your head- yes, it is like a drug!
ReplyDeleteI realize I can't sew faster than I can buy fabric... so I just enjoy sewing what I can when I can. Buy fabric for the feel & thrill and thinking one day it will be sewn and content that is what it is.
ReplyDelete