I actually have bits of fabric "allocated" to different patterns but have not got round to making them and some of them have been waiting two years now. In many cases I have yet to actually even stick the patterns together. But then there are other other patterns where I collect the different bits needed over several months when I see things reduced or on offer so to keep my costs down and it does take a bit of time and effort as well as space where I am storing all this stuff.
Space is a real problem for me. I have even discussed the possibility of hiring storage space for my fabric and yarn stash. Its silly then though, because it means my hobby has become very expensive so in that case there is no point stashing cheap bargain fabric because it will work out cheaper overall to just pay full price and not store it. So then my "hobby" is becoming a real problem.
I am sure I could make much more if I found a way to focus. Or maybe not more but more unusual unique items and that is what its about for me.
Often making basic items is just not worth it when I can buy new RTW top that fits fine and works perfectly for a few pounds and sometimes that is cheaper than making so I think unless I actually have fabric already, why bother to make that?
Of course there is also the ethics of making and the fact no children are labouring for hardly anything to sew my clothing but realistically ideals are not always in line with what I am able to afford and for example I must have presentable work clothing so sometimes I have to break my own rules and compromise and buy cheap RTW for work.
I do not yet live in a world where I am free to chose some things. I also find it difficult to understand how its bad to wear clothing made by children but Ok to make your own from fabric which is probably also being made by children. Or am I thinking too much here?
Surely if kids are labouring in clothng factories so they are also labouring in fabric manufacturing. Its not right that they are doing either, but using that as a way to justify making your own clothing is rubbish. Obviously I do want to continue making stuff but you get my point.
The only way round this I can see is to only buy fairly traded/woven/knitted fabric and thats a very rare commodity in my world!
And that is before I even start on the microfibres in water/ soil/ animals/ humans, problem - but I think thats well covered by several other bloggers right now.
So really my reason for sewing is either to get something I cannot afford cheaper than if I bought it because I simply will not afford to waste money on that, like for example my recent copies of the River Island dress:
or its to make something unique and again as affordably as I am able to.
It was certainly worth my making these. I simply would not have wasted £28 on these and I already had loads of each fabric costing very little. I think in all with thread and bearing in mind my buttons are recycled these probably cost under £5 for both dresses.
Most of what I make is unique - though not all of it is actually that good/nice.
I am getting better now though at actually making things I really like. I suppose I can explain some of my early makes which are downright vile and unflattering as part of my learning adventure into sewing my own clothing. Like for example this horrible blue dress:
In the case of this dress I still have LOADS of this pale blue crepe fabric and I still hate it. This dress just made me look old and I do not yet feel that old tho possibly its debateable depending on how old the particluar reader is😊
Possibly I was also over tired and having a bad day but even then and excuses appart, who wants to make clothing that makes them look like that!I even tried a Tshirt - two in fact and hate both of them too. Its not the designs its this blue fabric.
So I have realised some fabrics have no place in my stash. I am going to ebay this blue stuff in fact, once I find it, because I still have loads of it. Even adding punk rivets did not really help and the top above became a decorating top pretty quickly. I tried using both sides of this fabric which has worked for some similar designs like my sports top where I used the reverse with great results. Maybe its the pale blue colour because the orange is by the looks and feel of it exactly the same stuff. I do not know but I am getting rid of this blue fabric out of my stash. Its just not me!
They cost just 99p each so bargains. I reckon why not make a dress or top or something anyway to go with each piece of jewellery instead of what I usually do and find jewellery ( usually costing far more than these pieces too) to go with my outfits.
In fact I would certainly suggest having a look at charity shops for jewellery. I often pop in to check out fabric or second hand clothing I can cut up but never normally look at jewellery or belts or such and they had loads that was really nice so I intend to pop in again this weekend and see what else they have to inspire me.
Not too sure why but I see a mediaval inspired dress here in the round pendant with yellow stones, and am thinking of two different costume patterns I have owned for ages - years and never used. I will have to see what fabric I can find in my stash to make something to work with this. I do not really wnat to waste money on expensive fabric for a costume type dress unless I have a special reason to wear it but maybe mediaval or maybe more warrior? ➜
↩ This one screams summer hippy fashions at me, so its a bit of a shame I bought it now when summer is about to end but I will keep this in mind for future creations.
I may even find an autumn/fall pattern which could work with it.
It does seem summer festival clothing though to me right at this moment. Still nothing wrong with that.
Then this lovely long sparkly bead necklace is actually slightly defective - the catch is broken though still does up. It does not notice and it works fine so I am not too worried though may have a look for some long nosed pliers to attempt to fix at some point. Right now though the length is suggesting 1920s dresses to me. I always love dropped waist dresses so thats a great option. ↪
So in the end I reckon for the next few items at least I am focusing on these 3 pieces of jewellery to inspire me to go forward and make something a bit different.
I am very interested to see how other people plan what they are going to
sew since I am at a point where I have collected all this stuff but I am
pulled in all different directions but only have a very small amount of
time to actually make things so I must be selective.
So what do you think?
How do you get your inspiration for what to make next or do you make what you need rather than what you want?
Bracken
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