hemtohem

8th February 2021

I have a new sewing room, yay! Moving my sewing/workspace into a larger bedroom has given me the opportunity to take a long, hard look at my stash. Yes, I have A LOT of fabric.

There are a few yards/metres of what-was-I-thinking, some is of a fibre I wouldn’t necessarily buy nowadays, and some has been gifted to me. Mostly its fabric I love and have plans for. So why do I look to buy more when I find a pattern I like? Disorganised? Lazy? It’s not the perfect fabric? Who knows.

I’ve decided this will be the year when I SHOP MY STASH. Why? Because...

1. I have lots of fabric, perfect or not.

2. I can now see what I have. Organised, or what?! Just a sample. You understand, I know.

3. Covid19 has stopped me browsing the fabric shops irl.

4. I like to feel fabric before buying, so online shopping has it’s limitations.

5. I want to make more purposefully.

6. It’s cheaper. Ker-ching!

7. Last but not least, I don’t need to. I don’t need to buy more of anything when I have plenty already. It messes with my ethics gene.

While the meds I'm taking are doing a good job keeping me cancer-free, the side effects have meant I‘ve been unable to sew like I used to. I get joint aches and pains, so it’s more important than ever that I sew what I like and will wear. I’m still learning the lesson here as to what I like and what suits me. Yes, even at my tender age. 

Not being able to pop to the haberdashers meant I sewed a little experimentally/ more imaginatively last year, which was all to the good. So here’s to a diverse and diverting year of sewing ahead. 

I’ve made a start by diving into the LBPULLOVER pool. Find it here. I dithered about buying this pattern for ages. That NECK! I really wasn’t sure. I’ve made two so far this year and they won’t be the last. I love them! (Not a sponsored review.)

The first is in sweatshirting that my DD gifted to me. 

Very happy with pattern matching the sides, sleeves and neck. Not so good on the shoulders. I’ll pay more attention next time.

The second is in polyester fleece. I’ve had this in my stash for years. I probably wouldn’t buy it today, it being polyester and all, but I thought it’s probably better in my wardrobe than in my stash. What should we do with fabric we have that’s not so ‘green’? It’s made a perfect lbpullover, so warm and cosy. I added two inches to the sleeves and length. My machine hated it so I sewed most it on my overlocker, which worked well.

Label is available from modistasewing.com here. (Non sponsored.)

Here’s to making the most of where we are and what we have. It might not be perfect but it’s pretty good in the big scheme of things. 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

If you want to read my posts as I publish them, please sign up to my newsletter. It’s easy and you can unsubscribe at any time. Thanks!