I barely sewed one third of the fabric I purchased, which happens to be the highest yearly fabric acquisition since 2007 -- nearly twice what I bought in 2010 -- coupled with my lowest cumulative production since I started tracking this stuff back in '03.
Not sure why I felt so compelled to purchase so much fabric when I wasn't sewing that much; I don't know if I haven't really gotten my brain around the fact that my available sewing time has cut dramatically with the part time job (which I've been on for 3 years now; it's about time my subconscious got a clue) or if I was just caught up in dreaming. Still, 74% of my sewing was from new purchases, so I did work at sewing what was coming in. I just had way more coming in than I could keep up with.
And, part of the issue was, of course, the weight thing that made fitting a challenge. TNTs suddenly weren't very True any more, and I didn't have time available to redraft and retest.
Hence the large number of knit garments in last years 'finished' list.
So...what about the new year?
In my heart, I know I can NOT purchase fabric at the rate I was buying last year. And if my sewing doesn't increase, I really don't need to purchase any fabric for the next 24 months.
Can I just say...not realistic? as she laughs just a little hysterically...
So, I made a deal with myself. I will allow myself to purchase up to the amount I sewed *this* year, providing I *need* the fabric made up immediately.
Oh, that will be hard. But, in all honesty, I have a large stash of VERY lovely fabric. Aside from something unforseen (such as a new color for church choir), I should be able to sew pretty much from stash.
And make some pretty things. Especially knits...at least for the first few months. Who knows...I may yet figure out a SWAP wardrobe...
I wound up pulling all the fabric I wanted to use out, piling it on my living room floor and then matching them to other pieces, with a 2 to 1 ratio of top weight to bottom weight.
ReplyDeleteI found I had a lot more dresses to make then separates. That's about it for my SWAP, the fabric going to be made first will work with what I have (or need to buy like t-shirts and jeans)and work with each other. I just find the whole SWAP boring and too restrictive.
I hope you can figure it out and be happy with your own plan!
SWAP has its downside; that's true. I think it works best for people who 1)sew fast or 2)Love working w/ a structured plan. I sew pretty fast, once I get going, so I can grit my teeth a bit to stay with the plan. But I don't do all the fancy schmancy artwork to start off; I do a spreadsheet w/garment type, pattern and fabric choice and construction points (pattern prepped/fabric prepped/ cut out/completed), w/ a final garment value. So far all I've done is created the spreadsheet w/a tentative list of garments...eee... ;-)
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