So, what´s next?

Last years challenge was an eye-opening experience for me, and over all, I think I did good. But I am really just now beginning to take control over the hardest part, and that is the desire for new things. Ali, of the wardrobe, reimagined, wrote a insightful post about this topic all the way back in June. Read it, if you haven´t, it is soo good!

For me, it seems like it always comes back to this: I really don´t need new stuff, but I still want it.

One of my best friends lives in Paris, France, and last weekend I had the opportunity to visit her, and at the same time take a glance at the fabric district at Place St. Pierre. There are so many beautiful things to crave! There are so much wonderful fabric, beautiful trims, ribbons and cute buttons. I bought my fair share of meterage, and more than one button. And why shouldn´t I? The prices and the range of all they have to offer is irresistible  for a Scandinavian. But, at the same time – why should I buy more? I have an extensive stash, I find lots of gorgeous fabric at thrift shops at home, and the latter type of fabric shopping is much more coherent with how I want to live.

I find that it is so difficult to be consequent when it comes to fabric shopping. Last year was all about stop buying retail clothing, and so I think this year will be more about the money spent on fabric, notions and supplies. I will try to plan my wardrobe for this year by looking at what I already got in my stash, (Stash Bustin´ if you please) and try to be creative with what I make.

Photobucket

There are so many things going on in the online sewing community, that I fear that it soon might explode ;.-). I want to participate in everything, but I know that I won´t be able to keep up with it all, so I´ll rather pick a few and try to stick to them. I will not be participating in any of the “traditional” sew-alongs that are on the roll now, I am more comfortable with events that are more “loose”.  So this is my plan for 2011:

  1. Learn to draft patterns.
  2. Use stuff from my stash as much as possible (with a small budget opening for fabric buying while traveling).
  3. Continue Hepburn/Hepburn and enter Sewing through the decades.
  4. Participate in the Colette Spring Palette Challenge 2011.
  5. Pay more attention to detail.
  6. Sew more for others.

Draft patterns:

I bought two books about pattern drafting, published in 1939, that I would love to use as my way-in to drafting patterns.

Damskredderi from 1939

The title is “Damskredderi” which translates into dressmaking.

There are two books, one with descriptions, and one with technical drawings and pictures. I am really looking forward to learning more about this craft!

Damskredderi from 1939 Damskredderi from 1939

I love the sleeves on this blouse! The technical drawing is for a coat.

Stash:

I have, over the year, attained a rather comprehensive stash of fabrics, notions and supplies, and I will try to use this as inspiration for my 2011 sewing.  However, I do know myself well enough that I know I probably will slip when I am traveling to New York and Edinburgh later this year, so I might as well give myself an opening for that kind of fabric shopping…)

Elastics Elastics Elastics

Parts of my stash – elastic trims.

Hepburn/Hepburn & Sewing through the decades:

I have come along way on my Hepburn/Hepburn project, but there are still some items I´d love to finish. This project goes hand in hand with the Sewing through the decades challenge that Sarah and Debi have come up with. This project is right up my alley – I can use some of my newfound  1939 drafting skills, I can use some of my vintage patterns, and most importantly, this project isn´t as bound to time as many other sew-alongs are. This is important to me, as I don´t want deadlines on what still is my hobby!

Colette Spring Palette Challenge 2011:

This is another challenge I´m up for, with more loose planning, and manageable deadlines, it also fits quite well in with my previously documented love of sewing in one distinct palette of color! A hint for my palette theme: Morocco.

Marrakech

Detail:

Attention to detail is what made me the most satisfied with my handmade items of last year. Both visible details like the embroidery on my Parfait and the piping on Ceylon, and more invisible details like hand-picked zippers and a rolled hem done by hand. I love to do more embroidery, and I´d love to incorporate more trims and crochet in my everyday wear, not just in the “pretty dresses”.

Parfait Hello, my name is Ceylon

Details, I want more details!

Unselfish sewing:

I love how my wardrobe is being revolutionized through handmade garments that fits me well, and I wish that everyone would have at least one outfit that they feel on top of the world in. So I will work more on sewing for others, it´s a great way for me to learn about other  fitting issues than my own as well as making people happy. I have started with two of my girlfriends, and my darling is also getting his share of the fun. And then I´ll take it from there!

Fabric for unselfish sewing

Fabric for unselfish sewing, bought at Les Coupons de St Pierre in Paris.

So there you have it, a plan for 2011 – lets see how it´ll work out!

9 Comments

  1. Debi on 26/01/2011 at 01:48

    Yippeeee…so glad you are going to join the Sewing through the Decades Challenge! It’s a great way to use the vintage patterns (and I’m with you about not having deadlines!) Can’t wait to see more from your 1939 books!

  2. Sarah on 26/01/2011 at 07:03

    Wow, Solvi! What a great post – a feast for the eyes! Your elastic trims are so pretty!

    I think it’s important to acknowledge that when travelling, as a seamstress, you are inevitably going to buy fabric. I know when I go to San Francisco this year, I’ll come home with fabric. It’s our version of the travel souvenier, don’t you think? Plus, ours can be made into something beautiful.

    Your colour palette for the spring challenge looks great. I’m on board, too, and I’m really inspired. I’m so glad you are continuing with the Hepburn Hepburn Project – I love what you’ve created. I’m also really glad you’re on board for the Sewing Through the Decades Challenge – awesome!! I can’t wait to see what you draft.

    Sarah 🙂

  3. Ali on 26/01/2011 at 08:07

    Great post! I love how last year’s challenge is bringing you into a new way of approaching your sewing, which is thoughtful and still fun. I’m so looking forward to what you come up with this year (both in sewing and in pattern-drafting!)

    Like you, I think I’m going to slow down on my sew-alongs. I enjoy the community aspect but have been so slammed that I can’t manage to make a deadline. So after I wrap up the Crepe and the Pendrell, two garments I’d really love to have, I’m on board with you for loosely organized sew-alongs.

    And you’re completely justified in buying fabric in your travels. Think of it as fine dining. A treat, a special occasion 🙂

  4. Sølvi on 26/01/2011 at 09:16

    Thanks for your thoughts on this topic, ladies, I hadn´t even considered that way of approaching fabric shopping as you mention, fine dining or souvenirs. Good points!

    It´ll be fun to see what everyone creates through the 2011 challenges! 🙂

  5. Suzie on 26/01/2011 at 12:00

    Loved this post – you have an excellent plan for 2011! I agree with you about detailing, it really does make such a difference to a finished garment, and takes it to the next level. Also loving your Moroccan palette, it’s the shots of vivid blue that really make it stand out – can’t wait to see what you make!!!
    And I totally agree with the other commenters about fabric shopping when on holida, 100% justifiable! lol. I’m heading to Zagreb next week and I’m trying to source some fabric shops (no luck yet tho!)!!!

  6. Anna Neah on 26/01/2011 at 16:55

    Vad mycket fint du har sytt!

    • Sølvi on 27/01/2011 at 13:22

      Tack så mycket – såg inom din blog också – snyggt! 🙂

  7. Spring Palette 2011 « delfinelise on 27/01/2011 at 14:02

    […] So, what´s next? […]

  8. […] Through the Decades March 23rd, 2011 Remember this post? Where I tell you all about what I want to do this year, and talking about joining the Sewing […]

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