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.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Plans, Hams and a Glockenspiel

I've been sooooo good about not buying fabric this year (yeah, I know, we're only in month #1, but still.....), so I felt justified in finally treating myself to a ham stand.  Oh yes, and a new ham to go with it.  I already had a ham (vintage, practically free, & recovered by me) but it was sort of an awkward size, and I REALLY wanted a ham stand.   I hadn't forgotten the rave review that shams gave last year to stitch nerd, and then Pam recently gave her new ham & stand from Stitch Nerd another rave review, and that pushed me over the edge.  You get to choose your own fabric!  You get personalized service!  And after a very short wait, you get your own custom ham!  Her prices are very good.   The stand is pressboard; maybe not as pretty as a hardwood piece, but it looks very sturdy and I expect it to give me years of use.  The ham is VERY well made, and you get a choice of wool on one side, cotton on the other, or any combo you want, with quite a few lovely fabric choices.
I'm beyond delighted with everything about this.   My old ham is on the right - flatter, wider, & shorter.  The new one is more rounded, longer (12") and, well, prettier ;-)   They will both have a place in my ironing regime.   And you know what?  With goodies like this, I actually LIKE ironing more than I ever did before!  What I really like is actually the result that consistent, conscientious pressing gives.

And since we're on the subject of not buying fabric, I'm doing some serious stash shopping instead, and starting to make some actual plans that involve matching fabrics to patterns.   Everything is subject to change, of course, but this is definitely helping me to realize that I don't need ANY MORE FABRIC.  Not right now, anyway.   Except for that organic cotton I bought for the baby gift.  And the flannel I got today for my winter robe.   Because it doesn't count if it's necessary to complete a project that is going to be worked on immediately.   Right?

To help keep me on track, here's The Plan:


#1.  I need a new robe.  I've needed a new robe for more years than I care to mention, but finally, FINALLY, I found the right fabric - that yummy Marc Jacobs fleece that FabricMart had about 1000 yards of (they still have some as of this writing), with a flannel lining.  Toasty warm.   Crazy as it may sound, I'm going to use the SW Soho Coat as my base pattern.  Partly because I am LOVING my little hoodie bed jacket, so a robe with a hood sounded like a good idea, and partly because I have another fabric that I want to make into a raincoat, using the Soho pattern, so this robe will be my practice run.
Add caption
#2  The Soho Rain Coat.   This fabric was a score from Fabrix (thanx shams!!!) - Yummy, rich color, incredibly fun pleating, and probably a b**ch to sew, but I'll find out.   If it works, it should be AWEsome!

#3.  I think I've finally worked up the courage to cut in to this frabjous Chanel boucle that I splurged on at Emma One Sock, shortly after I re-started sewing.   I've been looking for the right pattern (along with  the courage-gathering), and I think I finally found it in this Loes Hinse....with some modifications, including shortening it to sweater length.  I'm trying to work with more blues, to expand the blues I already have, so this will be a nice wardrobe expander :

#4.  It's the year of pants.  One down, 11 to go.  This is the pattern I'm choosing for this yummy wool blend, that I also used on The Koos Coat.  This is actually the 3rd piece in my Winter 6PAC, so it also will be a wardrobe expander.

#5.  More pants.  Style Arc's Jilly Jeans, because of COURSE I need to make Jilly Jeans!

#6.  Continuing to make  what I actually need, the wintery California chill is bringing cardigans up to the top of the list.   This is a possibility for this Jalie pattern, but I'm not too sure about the fabric yet:

This should keep me busy for a few weeks.   Yeah, I know I'll get sidetracked, but at least I do have A Plan!

And what does a glockenspiel have to do with all of this?   Absolutely nothing.   But I put it in the title because I just couldn't resist using the word along with Plans and Hams,  so here's a picture of one:
Edited to add A trivia tidbit, because it came up in conversation the other day so I looked it up -
a glockenspiel is made of metal; a xylophone is made of wood.
Now we both know!  ;-)

I must admit that creating a plan like this (whether or not I actually follow through with it) not only helps me to solidify my options, but it sort of makes me feel all grown up & stuff....it feels pretty good, in a responsible sort of way.

Do you play with storyboards, or match fabric swatches to patterns, or pictures like I did above?  Or do you work with one pattern & buy the necessary fabric as you need it?   Or do you just live your life being distracted by bright shiny objects and bring home whatever speaks to you at the moment?  I know we're all different in our approaches, and I know my own propensity to wander off at the sight of today's fancy, but the end result of actually having something practical that I will wear simply can't be beat, and I'm finding that having something resembling an actual plan helps make that happen.   What works for you?


27 comments:

shams said...

Mmnnnn Hmmmmmm Mmmmmmm. Now, THAT'S a plan! Love your fabrics, love your patterns!

Love love your ham and ham stand! You know, I still have on my list to get myself the large sized custom ham and stand. I use my smaller ham ALL the time. I love it.

Thanks for such a great insomniac read! :D

LC said...

What a brilliant idea to make a robe with a coat pattern! I can't believe I have never thought of that. I think the Soho pattern will make an ideal robe.

This post is very motivating for me, I may have to do something similar, although not as ambitious. Thank you for the inspiration.

Unknown said...

I so need a ham stand and truly cannot believe I don't. It sounds like the perfect thing to treat myself too, once I lose these last..now 4 pounds. What a reward, thanks for the link:)

I am easily distracted by the next project so having a plan is essential. I still veer off course but at least I know where the main road is.

Your plan is looking quite exciting the raincoat in-particular

Martha said...

Great post! Thanks. I too love your plan. My *planning* is sort-of organic, growing from my most recently satisfying project, as well as the stash.

Andrea said...

Loving your new ham and stand, and oh, that gorgeous boucle will be amazing on you!
A few months ago, in an effort to streamline my ability to start projects, while cleaning my sewing studio one night, I used long fabric scraps to tie together a fold of fabric with the corresponding pattern on top. It did make me realize I needed to cool it on the fabric buying! Unfortunately, though, my sewing time has been so limited. But as I have more time, I think the system *will* help!

Jillybejoyful said...

Congratulations on being so close to your goal! I agree, a ham stand is a great reward...and I can't believe that you of all people don't have one yet!

Jillybejoyful said...

I like the thought of tying the fabric to the pattern - I have an area to stack my imminent possibilities, but this would keep them more organized.

Jillybejoyful said...

Insomniacs Unite! If you love the smaller ham you'll REALLY love the larger one, + stand! If I can return the enabling nudge in some small way, I've done my job...... ;-D

Jillybejoyful said...

We are all here to inspire..... ;-D

Jillybejoyful said...

Thanks Martha! I'm definitely a proponent of the organic approach, but I'm seeing the value for me in adding just a bit more of the methodic....

glorm said...

Love a gal with A Plan. You're hired!

Jillybejoyful said...

Even better than that - I switched back to the embedded comments and you were able to comment!!! Yay, they've fixed it!!!!! :)

Re's Home on the Road said...

Oooooo that Shams is a bad, bad woman (she was the one that introduced me to Fabrix). But you and I seem to have the same exquisite taste in fabric and pattern choice! (ggg) That wonderful, pleated, black/purple raincoat fabric rests in my stash as well, earmarked for the very same pattern! I am so pleased to give you the honor of making it up first - and finding out all the little quirks and foibles I need to know about sewing with it before I cut it out. Thanks Jilly.

Jillybejoyful said...

Re - I just sent you an email, I know that wasn't you at Fabrix the day I bought this fabric, but there is actually another person who is planning on making the Soho out of it. 100th monkey syndrome? Or designer brilliance? ;-D

And don't you want to get started on yours....say.....right now? ;-D

glorm said...

I just received an e-mail from Google and they're making some changes, effective March 1. I would imagine, as with anything new, they are working out the kinks.

shams said...

Actually, that day you ran into me and a couple friends at Fabrics. BOTH of my friends are planning to make the Soho out of the same fabric. :D

kbenco said...

Such lovely fabrics, such sensible plans. You sound very grown up and organised, but now I want to make a snuggly robe, and a stunning Chanel style jacket, and a drapey cardigan and.......I think I will do some drooling at Fabric Mart

Mary said...

I am so easily distracted by pattern illustrations, even though I am very aware of the reality of me vs a model. But, hope springs eternal. I veer off and get wild at times but when focused and in my adult state, I will make a plan and sew to that plan. I usually do wardrobe plans or capsules (cowl capsule, knit top capsule, MT pant capsule). Here is my recent big plan-I am going to use wardrobe patterns to actually make ...wait for it....outfits! I love the fabrics and patterns you have highlighted above. You will have gorgeous pieces when done.

Beth H said...

"Dr. Crane, your Glockenspiel has sprung to life!" - Daphne to Niles on "Frasier" 1993. ROFLOL!!

Love your plan. Makes me want to start on one.

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

So after the robe do you think you could work on the Loes Hinse sweater coat? I have this pattern and have bought fabric for it but have never used it. I think one of your creative garments would push me over the edge to use it. So pretty please?!

Jillybejoyful said...

Ah shams, I distinctly remember you enabling (shocker!) me to go ahead & use that fabric for the Soho, since your friend & I weren't likely to run into each other - I didn't realize that BOTH of them were planning on the same pattern!

Interesting how we sew in order to have something unique, and with all of the patterns & fabrics in the world, some of still end up making the same thing.... Must be gmta.....

Jillybejoyful said...

very grown up and organised....oh yeah, that's me. Uh huh. I'm going with that one.... :D

Jillybejoyful said...

Mary I'm thinking that the brown color in the brown & black print is SO....different.... that, even though it pairs with black, I may actually (horrors!) need to make a twin set with it! I dunno....that almost seems pushing it even further than making an actual outfit! But I support and encourage you...... :D

Jillybejoyful said...

Heh. Carolyn, I will take your request under serious consideration. But please don't let that stop you from starting first! (pretty please?) ;~D

Jean said...

Love your plan! That raincoat fabric looks amazing. Can't wait to see the finished products!

Yuki said...

Love your fabric choice, especially #3 blue Chanel boucle. That is to die for!

House of Pinheiro said...

what a lovely plan.. FUn FUN FUN