It's about exploring and sharing my creative adventures (mostly sewing these days) ~
~those activities that sometimes obsess, usually inspire, occasionally frustrate
~and always provide a delightful maze to wander through.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Ramblings, Requisitions, and Renewals

I'm feeling some renewed sewing energy - if only life, work, and the clock would just cooperate...oh the things I could accomplish!  In my own rather chaotic fashion, though, I'm trying to be just a bit more organized, and I think I'm making some headway.

My New Habit for the month is keeping my currently-in-use and planned-to-use-soon patterns organized, and to that end I've gone the simple route.  I did go shopping for some file holders, but I couldn't find anything quite right, not to mention my cheapness frugality in looking at the $20+ tags on items that were just OK.   So I came home, taped up a box, covered it with fabric on hand, and voila!   My new pattern holder:
I still plan on cutting some cardboard separators to place between the patterns.
Currently there are only 2 in there, both being worked on at the moment,
and none in the "To Be Made Soon" category
#1 pattern goes in the "Renewal" category - the Soho Raincoat I started last year, & got a bit stymied by figuring out how to sew up the seams with all those randomly placed pleats in the fabric, coupled with the fact that  we had No. Rain.   In the hopes that we WILL get some rain this year, I'm excited to get going on it again!
I'm delighted to see that my thread markings
survived all of the shifting around during the year. :)
#2  pattern I'm REALLY excited about - this goes in Requisitions - a couple of weeks ago I found the PERFECT fabric for Marcy Tilton's jacket Vogue 8795.  It's a particularly yummy double faced fabric of unknown content, from Fabrix.  Soft and fleecy on one side, soft and stripey on the other:
I'll use the hook and loop tape on this.
And please note the 3X5 card attached -
that's destined to be next month's Little Habit to add :)
One more Requisition.  Which is also a Recommendation. I needed some serger thread, so put in an order with WAWAK  (btw, I placed my order on Monday night and it was on my doorstep Wednesday morning!!!!   Now that is service!)   While browsing through my catalogue, I finally decided to bite the bullet and order something I've wanted for a long time - FINALLY no more running to JA's & their limited selection of Gutermann threads - I can order the big cones online and know exactly what color I'm getting!:

And here's a cool little feature - you can remove each column of thread so that you can place it right on top of your fabric - very nice!

Oh yes, another Requisition, except this is from the other side of the fence.  I've been meaning to make some more steampunky bustles to list on my (still a baby) Etsy store, so that I don't need to deal with specific custom orders (and all of the angst & worry that goes along with giving the darling customer exactly what they want).   But alas, I was too slow, and got another custom order.   Don't get me wrong, I'm actually grinning THIS big, not complaining!   I'm also approaching this one with a bit more conscious time-planning and record-keeping in mind, so that I can know for sure if I'm making $5 an hour, or only $2.50 an hour.  ;-D   I jest...but not by much!

It's good.   Really.  It's all good.  I'm still having fun!

On the Rambling end of the spectrum, I'm motivated to create a Design Board that is actually big enough to be of creative use.   Inspired by sham's post following her DOL adventure, I realized that this wall actually has enough space to hold a reasonably sized Design Board!
This is one of my two little (emphasis on LITTLE) attic rooms - the other one is officially my sewing room; this one is the Guest Room slash TV Room slash Ironing Center....theoretically....but the creep from the sewing room is slowly taking over every corner, so I might as well just make it official.   So.  Please envision with me a fabric covered board on that wall, bursting with creative inspiration!

One more Renewal - a renewed commitment to my goal of not buying any RTW, which I made when I re-started this whole sewing journey in January 2010...almost 3 years ago now!   I have yet to buy any RTW clothing, other than socks and shoes, and some thrifted items like my stash of silk neckties, and sweaters that I've been gathering, all destined for upcycling.   You will notice the 365 RTW badge on my sidebar - this leads to Sarah at Goodbye Valentino's blog page for those who are willing to commit to 365 days of not buying ANY RTW clothing (underwear and shoes are exempted).   So, just in case I thought I could bend my commitment, I now have a renewed reason to continue sewing my own. :)

That's all the ramblings I have for today.   I have a bustle to work on, and some more Soho pieces to cut. :)

25 comments:

Carolyn said...

Good luck with your commitment! I made a lifetime pledge! over at Wardrobe refashion to make as much as possible a few years ago now too, and even though the site has finished I still have my button in my sidebar. Now I make ALL my own clothes, and have not regretted it one bit :D

Jillybejoyful said...

Carolyn you are truly an inspiration :) It won't surprise me one bit to hear that you start making your own shoes ;-)

Mary said...

Hi Jillian~good luck on your habit of the month, and your commitment to sewing 99%. I'll try to keep up with you!

shams said...

Jillian, it's great to hear your mojo starting to flow. That's great that you want to commit to "no buying". But, does that include if you buy a thrifted item that you intend to re-fashion? Glad to hear underwear and shoes are exempted. ;)

Did I inspire you to buy that Guterman chart? :P

Judith said...

'No Buying' - good on you for doing this! I am also a follower of Goodbye Valentino and love what both of you do. But not buying anything....like, not even if it is on super-dooper sale!!!! Guess that is why your whole wardrobe is just so creative...

Jillybejoyful said...

You can do it Mary!

Jillybejoyful said...

I consider the thrifted items to be fabric - it just happens to have been sewn once, but it's still fabric ;-)

I've wanted that Gutermann chart for ages, but seeing the wonderfulness of all of your sample charts most definitely shot it up to the top of the list!

BTW, do you recognize the fabric covering my pattern box?

Jillybejoyful said...

I honestly don't even have the desire Judith...at any price! The only items that really attract me are one-of-a-kind works of art, and they just motivate me to dig deeper & find my own voice :)

shams said...

lol! I didn't recognize that fabric at first, but now I do!

kbenco said...

I like your patterns in progress/consideration box. I would say mine is very similar, except that it needs a good sort out and has (cough) overflowed just a little bit.

prttynpnk said...

I haven't fully said no,but I do find the shops less tempting- even my Husband will look at things shrug and say, 'oh, you could make that' and dismiss the potential shopping find. It's kind of nice to not feel a slave to whats available.

RhondaBuss said...

Your little box is so much better than anything you could have purchased...at any price!!!
It seems my studio has a creeping problem as well. There are fashion books on the coffee table in the living room, my dress form seams to be able to walk all by herself and ends up in my husbands office, and there are baskets in various places that contain handwork so it's there if I happen to sit down. It's your home, enjoy every inch and creep away!

Cation Designs said...

Hmm, I think I need a current patterns box...I just keep riffling through my giant drawer and getting lost every time I think I want to make something new.

I'm with you on the underwear and shoes thing -- I can see maybe making panties regularly, but I doubt I'll ever get into bra-making, and certainly not shoes! Good luck with your pledge!

Anonymous said...



I am gazing at your guterman catalogue with happy envy. What a cool thing that they are removable. YOu are certainly busy..

Alison said...

Ah...Guterman colour chart in AUSTRALIAN numbers! Did you know that the ones at Joann's have different numbers?

Jillybejoyful said...

That's been one of the bugaboos - the retail stores all have a different numbering system than the industrial suppliers, so the only way to tell what color you're getting is to have the chart! All I've ordered online before was black & white - zipper colors are a whole 'nother matter....

Jillybejoyful said...

I like that....enjoy every inch and creep away....will do! ;D

Jillybejoyful said...

Zackly! panties are on my to-do list...I don't know why I keep resisting; it's a Freudian thing, no doubt..... But bras? Nuh uh.

Jillybejoyful said...

At least you have a box! It took me this long to figure out how handy one little box could be!

Jillybejoyful said...

You CAN make that!

Jillybejoyful said...

You are one of the crazy color mixing queens in the world of creations, imho....why would you even need a thread color chart!? ;D

Goodbye Valentino said...

Great idea on the separators Jilly! You've got a great blog and I'm glad you joined the RTW Fast page. Can't wait to see more of your sewing!

Anonymous said...

Jilly, I really admire you for developing good new habits! That is a hard, hard, hard thing to do. Brava!

Alison said...

I can highly recommend the Zipperstop colour chart. Actual pieces of actual zipper tape! I in love. :) It's a little pricey but worth it.

Dixie said...

Good to read your ramblings, Jilly. Sorry I'm so late in getting to them. Away for a week, then sick for 5 days = way behind!