Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Nothing's Committed Until It's Cut

One of my revelations during the reach for parity is that I have way too many fabrics in the stash that I have consciously or subconsciously assigned to a particular garment; I'm realizing I don't consider them to be available resources, but projects in backlog.

This is a very stressful way to view a stash. It puts the emphasis on the production, not the creativity. Clawing my way back to parity after a big purchase also put the emphasis on production, and, between you, me and the fencepost, sewing just to be producing ain't the reason I sew, and that's going to be a big deterrent to future parity-busting purchases.

Now, I believe in purchasing fabric with at least a general idea ('this will be a jacket'), or even a specific idea ('I'll make that Today's Fit jacket and use the selvedge for trim'), but if that idea actually keeps the fabric from being sewn over time, it might be a good idea to Let It Go. It's time for a paradigm shift.

So...if that silk is not made into that slotted-seam suit by the time the appropriate season rolls around and gone, I need to quit thinking of it as a slotted seam suit and start thinking of it as a wonderful piece of raw silk available for whatever I decide it needs to be. Maybe a dress with a jacket? Maybe a tunic top?

What would suit the wardrobe? What garments do I need now, and what's in the stash that could be used to make them? Styles change, needs change...the stash needs to go with the flow, not back up behind an idea that may be past its prime.

I need to release some old visions, and see what new ones arise to replace them.

And I really, really need to realize that nothing's committed until it's cut!

2 comments:

  1. Interesting thought. I too think of a piece of fabric as a particular garment. Perhaps it is time to let go...

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  2. I do somewhat the same thing. I have been known to change my mind for the fabric piece but usually after the item has aged a bit. Your comments are thought provoking for me. Glad I am catching up on my reading.

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