Wednesday, April 8, 2009

(More) Spring Stash Sewing

I have enjoyed making collages of projects to sew from my stash, so here's the latest iteration:

Projects 4-6-09

BackI finished the last plan except for the yellow eyelet dress that reappears on this one, with of course a few little detours along the way (like the BWOF 10-2008-115 gather front dress and the BWOF 07-2008-126 gather back tank, among other unphotographed projects). The issue is partly that I can't wear it until it's sandals weather so I don't want to put the effort in yet. But it's also that I'm not wild about the pattern. I love the princess lines and even the little horizontal bust dart (which I'll have to narrow), but as mentioned in my pear post I'm not crazy about A lines right now and would prefer a straight shift.

What stops me is the rear view of Vogue 8408, displayed to the right. It looks OK in the photo, but in real life...I'm not sure. When I was working in our headquarters building, the bathroom was set up with mirrors over the sinks and then a full length mirror on the opposite wall. It was impossible not to catch a glimpse of your butt while washing your hands. And on the day I wore this dress, I was in for quite a rude awakening. I mean, I know I have a large booty. But since it's behind me, I sometimes forget that. I learned that day that even if I forget about it, it has not forgotten about me. For the eyelet dress, I'll make the lining first and then see if/how much I can narrow the skirt, but I don't think I'll end up with the classic shift I hoped for so I'm less enthusiastic about the project.

I am kind of in the groove of stash sewing and sticking to my 6 yards/month fabric buying allowance--in fact have saved up 6 yards from the past two months--so I don't feel so "obligated" to this plan. I have sooo many other ideas that it's hard for me to maintain focus!

Sustaining focus on moderated fabric buying is even harder. I usually do very well the first several months of the year. It's only later that I throw up my hands and then buy enough to fill them and then some. So far I'm still feeling good about moderation and staying away from online shops hasn't been too hard. But I would love to go to NYC or Philly for a nice big shop!

The upper left fabric for Vogue 1086 is from Joann over the weekend, so it isn't stash.

The next newest fabric is the lace in the lower right for BWOF 02-2008-108, from Jomar during the Philly get-together in November. I was thinking that was just a couple of months ago. It turns I bought this nearly six months ago. Seriously, had you asked me I would have guessed about 6-8 weeks. Can you believe how long ago November was?

I only have 1.5 yards of 45" wide for the pink underlay--incidentally, the oldest fabric in the plan, from Summer 2007 as I recall but possibly 2006--so I may not be able to make that dress as planned. I might also have to abandon the BWOF 02-2009-129 exclusive design blouse (the last exclusive design ever???) made from the Paris fabric I used for my birthday dress. I don't have much complete yardage left, but I have some long strips that are fairly wide (approx 12 inches) so I needed a pattern that had lots of little pieces. When the magazine arrived I knew this was perfect. I feel pretty confident I'll be able to eke it out somehow, with a contrast midriff band if necessary, but I haven't traced out the pieces yet to make sure. The fabric has some crosswise stretch so it won't be as simple as cutting some pieces on grain and some on cross-grain, which I'd normally do in such a limited fabric situation.

The Tracy Reese Vogue 1086 is on my cutting table now. Who knows where I'll go from there. I am crazy, erratic, and unpredictable...at least when it comes to sewing.

16 comments:

Little Hunting Creek said...

I love how you plan everything out. I am completely incapable of planning my sewing. But I accept that now. When I sew next surprises even me! I love that Paris Birthday dress fabric. I would have bought that. (our stashes could be related) And the Tracy Reese dress is on my wish list too.

SuBoo said...

Yup, you seem super organised - I think I need to take a page out of your book! Most of my creations tend to be spur of the moment urges to sew, so I use anything on hand! That's my excuse anyway, since I keep adding more and more to my stash ;)

spottedroo said...

I love your photomontages! I started doing the same thing to help me see the projects I had planned: www.spottedroo.com/sewing/dressprojects.jpg. Then I realized they all looked the same :(. I really like the Joann print.

judy said...

Very nice plan and organization!! I have no plan...ever and if I do, it always changes! BTW, you should have no complaints about the back end shot, it is not that big and anyhow a woman needs curves!

Jenny said...

I have lots of junk in the trunk. Don't fat bottom girls make the world go round or something? :)

Meg said...

"Young-ish"?! You're young in my book.

Sherril said...

Trena, I really don't think you have a large bottom. What I do think is that you have a small waist so that in comparison, your booty looks large, which it isn't. That dress is very cute, so be quite.

Carol said...

You don't have a large booty at all! It's quite neat and compact, in my opinion. I adore the fabric you're using for the Tracy Reese dress. Looking forward to the photo shoot!

Elizabeth said...

I love the way you did the collage and I think B 5209 is one of your best looks.

Sew-4-Fun said...

"I am crazy, erratic, and unpredictable...at least when it comes to sewing."

LOL! Join the club. I'm hopeless! Changing my mind several times in one day is the norm for me. It's anyone's guess what I'll sew next. Even I don't know until the fabric is actually cut.

Nancy K said...

I have a nice sized stash, but I am constantly reworking my plans to accommodate my newest fabric purchase. How do you stay focused on your plan? I certainly can't!
Large booty? This is certainly relative my girl. From my vantage point, you look fine, great even.

Adelaide B said...

Don't make the yellow eyelet dress! The fabric is super cute, but if you cut into it with the intent to make a dress you are not in anyway enthusiastic about, you will likely regret it later. I would wait awhile and then find a pattern that you really like. Life is short and there are tons of patterns out there; don't waste your time!

Anonymous said...

You know, I had Vogue 8408 on my list of "Vogue Patterns I Want" then a friend convinced me to take it off. But after seeing it on you here and on PR, I'm totally put it back on this very minute........ there, done!

(the photo of the front on PR is FIERCE btw, can you say 'wolf whistle'? so sultry!)

Shannon said...

I love your photo collage and I may steal that idea to help me keep up with my to-do list. I had to giggle at your story about the mirror- I had that exact same thing happen to me in the ladies room at our corporate headquarters! Talk about an eye-opening experience!

Michelle said...

Love all your plans! If you are self-conscious of your bottom and want to make a straight skirt, what about something like Vogue 1082 or 1062 that has strategically placed seaming to give the illusion of a narrower bottom? You could pipe the seams with a contrast, even. I am going to try 1062 soon and see how it looks.

elbereth said...

I think Sherrill is right. I'm petite too (5'3) and have a little frame. I'm learning that I have to take my body as a whole. Parts are especially big & unshapely when taken out of context! On the whole, however, it could be a lot worse! I have this Vogue pattern at home but haven't made it. I just love yours! The improved belt was a great idea too.