Sewing.....I need a plan!

I have a problem y'all. I am hooked on fabric and patterns. Now when I first REALLY started sewing. I was only buying fabric for patterns that I already had.  Not so much now. LOL I'll see a pretty piece of fabric and just buy it. So now I have stash. I also have a HUGE stash of patterns.  Since I'm not "exactly" planning what I will sew, I have a LOT of orphan pieces. Now, nothing wrong with that, but I want my garments to coordinate with each other. Yes, I wear a lot of the garments I have made with my RTW garments, but I would still like to  make things that "go together".

Now this doesn't mean that I won't still purchase "pretty fabric" or that I will stop hoarding patterns. It just means that I will seriously plan around what I have,buy coordinating fabrics and think about the patterns in my stash. (The shopping never stops lol)

In an effort to make all the come to life lol, I made the following mess:

Look at how that 6:30am sun just makes that fabric glow lol hahaha. I'm only kidding lol. Some of this I have NO idea why I bought. Like that purple and green piece....Ive had that for almost three years. Don't know why I ordered it. I wasn't even sewing then!!! lol

Here is a pic of all my fabric in my house (with the exception of a few pieces I "WANT" to make this week)

Now in this stack, I know I will take that brown stripe and make a cute skirt, simple a-line. It will look cute with boots. Now I have a few brown/chocolate sweaters that will look really cute with this, so that is good. There is some poplin in here...that stripe that my mom gave me (I thought it was cute, but now not so much) She wanted me to make something for the girls. Hmmm. Maybe a cute short skirt? LOL

This stack has a lot of wools in it. I may have to rethink those plaid pieces...LOL We will see!! LOL I know a couple pair of pants are in there, some of this had a pattern, then I changed my mind! LOL I just need to get busy. Y'all know when I sew...I SEW. I just have the knitting bug right now lol.

My stash of lining fabrics. This summer I could hardly find cotton batiste. When I find it now, I put it away! LOL

I guess I am going to make some jeans! I know I PLAN on making a pair of gauchos. Just in case I have the URGE to make some jeans...I have the fabric! LOL

and all put away...

I now know everything I have in my stash, and the yardage.

I also organized my patterns AGAIN by garment type. Still separated by pattern company. But I took some things out that I am no longer liking. I just put them in a different area lol.

Jaelyn has been doing some sewing....

She made this pillow maybe about a month ago? I kept forgetting to take her picture so I could show you guys. I FINALLY took it the other day, and here you go! LOL

Look at how straight her seams are!! While not perfect, pretty dang good for an 11 year old!

Can you tell I am proud? You should have seen my mom! LOL

She wanted me to  make her a dress, and I told her she had to cut her own pattern out lol. Dang, her knees are in need of some lotion!!!

So how do you plan your sewing projects? How do you store your patterns and fabric? I do have my Fall Sewing Plan, but I need to look at it again, and make sure I have pieces that coordinate! Any tips on how I can create my own S.W.A.P of sorts??

Ok, that's it! More tomorrow! LOL

Toodles!!!

Comments

[Cindy]

FIRST POST!!!

She getting a great start. She will thank youin a few years!!

[erica b.]

Great posts! I don't maintain a large stash, everything piece of fabric matches a pattern. I store my fabric on the card board bolts that I bring with me from Hancock (they're gonna trash them anyway). I keep it color coordinated and at a glance, I always know what I have. Oh, and the most important part (to me), I write on Avery labels the fabric content and yardage and stick it to the fabric. It works for me.

[Nora]

Oh, don't worry. I'm hooked on fabric too!

[Lovely]

I too have a problem with randomly buying patterns and fabric with NO plan! LOL I just organized all of my stuff. I categorized my patterns by style and put all of my summer fabrics at the bottom of the pile.

[Stacey_CrimsonPurl]

Looks like you got pretty oragnized at the crack of dawn!!! :op I swear you do everything before 9AM like in the Army! HAHA! :oD

Cute pillow Jaelyn!!! Keep on sewing gurl!

[gold]

I buy fabric when it on sale and patterns.I don't have a project in mind when I buy.Well we just moveto this house getting close to a year now, so my fabric is still not organize yet.Must of it is in bags and containers right now!

[Bobbi]

I can't wait to see what you sew up! I do sew but no where near at your level so I don't have any good suggestions for you! :)

[Diana]

I think stashing is a problem with any craft...I should know. I have had many stashes (fabric, yarn, beads, books, magazies, etc.) (BTW I Love that the lid on the plastic container is bowed open!) It is difficult. I sit and lust over yarn and it is hard to avoid buying certain things when you feel they are limited edition, or not likely to last at a good price. I guess you just have to try to be rational and realize that there is always going to be something new coming out...and you are going to want to buy it. It is hard to keep things without them getting yicky. You just have to do the best you can. (OK, now that I just ranted all this I think I will make it a part of my blog post today! LOL Good luck with your growing stash!)

[Dawn Bibbs]

Oh my goodness, Adrienne...you may need to have Tony build an extra room onto your house so you have somewhere to store all that fabric :-).

I'm not worried though, I'm SURE you'll come up with SOMETHING!!! Keep hope alive, girl! LOL

[Neecha]

I have a stash of fabric and I HOARD patterns! but I haven't even threaded my new machine yet...*bad Neecha* But I store my patterns in a container separate from my daughter's patterns and I store our fabric the same way because we have such different tastes. As far as a sewing plan I have none...

I feel like such a slacker LOL the patterns are piling up and so is the fabric but no sewing is getting done. :(

[Sheri D. Maple]

I am a little more methodical when making the decision to start sewing in June. I purchase a lot patterns first and looked for wardrobe building pattern for my stable (classic) pieces first. I did buy a couple of tweed fabrics with the intent of making jackets. However, I changed my mind and decided to make the A-line skirt with instead. I purchased three yards of the fabric with two I used to make the skirt, and the last yard I will make hat for the vogue pattern I purchased. Although, I changed my mind about the use of that particularly fabric, I am within my plan of building the wardrobe, thought it was nice to have tweed skirt and hat to wear together with a pair of boots and short-sleeved cashmere sweater. I use SWAP as a guide and go outside sometimes to fit my personal style. In addition, it's just great to have coordinating pieces, so you can have one thing less to worry about, lol.

[cheryl]

Since I don't sew, I think I can answer that question this way...

If I DID sew, I would certainly NOT plan out any of my sewing. Since I pretty much don't plan out anything!!! LOL

I love all those browns and those wools!!

[Karla]

Wow...you do have a lot of fabric. But it's your thang! I was sewing quilts for a bit and then went to try to make tooth fairy pillows and cut a good chunk off my finger with the rotary cutter. Haven't sewn fabric sense. But I would love to make the girls clothes one day. But I get all kids of confused when looking at the patterns. I get unmotivated and quite :( You'll have to give me some personal A-lessons!

Oh...and I'm trying to e-mail you but every time I go to compose a message Firefox shuts down. So I'm working on it ^-----^

Chat soon,
-Karla

[Charisse]

I cant truly see a nice short blazer with that big plaid fabric. You could rock that with jeans and some ankles boots and work it out! Girl! Work it.

[Isolde]

Waw, you have a lot of fabric!! I'm sure you'll make some nice stuff with it.
Love, Isolde

[Necia]

I have a lot of fabric too, that I plan on putting to immediate use. I need to make room for more fabric, rofl. You should be so proud of your daughter. Her seams are as straight if not STRAIGHTER then mine. I wish someone would've took me under their wing when I was her age! I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Necia

[Cassandra]

Basically I buy my materials and patterns together or sometimes I buy them separately. Usually the patterns first or at least an idea.

As for my patterns I put them into zip lock bags and hang the fabric over a hanger with the zip lock bag over the hook. Everything stays together. I do have a hoard of fabric and now I am trying to get a little better.

It takes time though!

[dana]

that's how I am with patterned paper girl! I can relate. Hey use some in your scrapbooks....LOL

[Christina]

Ashy knees or not! She is sewing and she is 11! I'm 38 and can't thread my kids play machine! lol

[Jackie]

I like all of your fabrics. It looks like you've got everything organized now. Your daughter's pillow looks very good! Tell her to keep going!

I have tons of patterns and sometimes I put off buying more when there is a sale. When I look at them a few days later or whenever the next sale comes around, I might not like it anymore. I have three rolling carts full of patterns, plus about 75 more that are in a large basket or stacked because they are the ones that I want to work with. My fabrics, well... I have a couple of old suitcases that I store fabric. Also, two HUGE plastic bins with fabric, plus there's a large stack that is neatly organized out in full view, and more fabric in bags (still) that I recently purchased. Sad isn't it! LOL Even though I know I'll purchase more because if it's something I like, I buy it too. But I look to my pattern & fabric stash a lot to work with because I'm planning on updating my entire wardrobe, which will be fun!!!

[robin]

I have acquired quite a fabric stash (2 huge Rubbermaid tubs full) and a whole 2-drawer file cabinet of patterns. No advice, just feeling the addiction.

[Kelly]

I have been reading your blog for a few months now and I love it. I have the same problem that you do. I buy fabric change my mind on the sewing project and then stash the fabric. I am constantly buying patterns. However, I don't have a sewing plam. That what I am currently working on. First, to organize my supplies and fabric. Second, plan my sewing so that I have a wardobe that works!

[Lashell]

My stash is ridiculous. Like you if I see a pretty fabric I have to have it. Sometimes I know exactly what I will make and sometimes I just like the fabric. I recently went through my stash and I still love what I have. I know that I will soon need to stop buying and start reducing that means staying away from the Garment District cold turkey. lololololololol.

[mimi]

Can I buy that large wool plaid from you..lol no for real...hahaha, i aint playing...lol

I got the coat in mind already :)

[greta adams]

umm yeah ok....go ahead and keep on buying because i seriously don't think you have enough {eyeroll} bwhahahaha
umm also i am going to shamfully admit she sews better than me...umm yeah...so i am off to my corner now!!

[Steph]

I had a large stash, too, because I inherited a lot of fabric when my Granma died. Anyhow, in the past 12 years I have reduced it a lot. Jaelyn is too cute - I like her cushion a lot!

[narcissaqtpie]

Nice looking stash. You are lucky you are getting a handle on things before your stash gets out of control. I am struggling with this now.

[vicki]

Now, that stash does not look too bad!

Well done on the clean up and sort through!

[Faye Lewis]

I started sewing again last fall so my stash is not really big. I have everthing stored in two plastic bins similar to yours... oh wait I forgot about the dresser drawer and two drawers of the file cabinet and a drawer in my desk. I guess I do have a stash. Like yours, mine is not planned out. I visit the fabric store often and almost always buy something, if not fabric certainely patterns. I have my patterns stored by company and type in three dresser drawers. I can't help myself since I found out you can wait for a pattern sale. I do have several excel spreadsheets where I have listed pattern number/type by company. I try to keep it in the car to take to the store with me to keep from buying repeats. This has helped me a lot. Still want to do a SWAP. Chickened out on the one on Pattern Review several months ago. But I want to do my own - maybe a six piece SWAP. I think I could handle that.

[Carolyn]

Okay y'all ain't really got fabric stashes! *LOL* Two rubbermaid bins does not a stash make...I HAVE a fabric collection. Try a walk in closet with wall to wall shelves of color coordinated fabric in all types and amounts. Then add to that three large Rubbermaid bins sitting in my livingroom and bedroom because there is no more room in the fabric closet and we have a COLLECTION! *LOL* Oh and when someone opens the door to the closet and flips on the lightswitch, my children are embarrassed at the amount of fabric that I have managed to accumulate. Yes, I have a fabric collection! And we just won't talk about trim, notions, thread or patterns! ROTFLOL!

[Michelle]

Well my stash is mostly quilting fabric, and I have all my cottons organzied by color. Now my fabric for clothes well that is just sitting in piles...Every once in awhile I go through and get rid of patterns, the ones I don't want go into the garage sale pile. I do that with fabric too!

[Tany]

Well you know my project list, lol; I've never done a project list before but this year I had to do it because things were getting out of hand, too much fabrics and too much patterns, just like you! Besides the fabrics that already have a pattern for them I have my little stash (ahem) that is stored in a bean, exactly like yours; most of the fabris in there are remnants (I have this phobia that I will end up without enough fabric so I always buy more than what I need) and last season's fabrics; all my fall/winter items are now part of my "plan", so they are in my project list.

Your daughter has talent!!!! Just keep her going!

[Maria]

Wow....this is amazing! 11 years old and she can make things like that! I'm jealous! :)

[anna]

ha, Jaelyn's been working it out with the sewing machine. That pillow looks like the perfect size for traveling on the road and getting your zz's on, LOL!

wow, you've got a nice assortment of fabric!!! beautiful colors. :-D

[Patrice]

lol as long as my stash is smaller than yours I'm all good.. I should email this blog to Ian so he can see that I'm really NOT that bad! LOL

[Wanda]

I don't have a fabric stash, but only b/c I don't sew! Hahaha. Good luck with the organization.

[yaiAnn]

I need to start a plan too.. I kind of want to do a SWAP. hrmmm...

[Cennetta]

I'm faced with a similar situation. I have several storage bins full of fabric. Last Summer I started trying to organize some of my stash by weight and color hoping that would help me. I have the special occasion fabrics, linings, and interfacing in four separate bins. I'm still having trouble making sense of it all. Sorry I haven't been of much help; I do understand the struggle. You have beautiful fabric.

[Gorgeous Things]

Oh honey, you want to see stash? Come to my house! I'm waiting for the boys to go to college so I can take over their room as my stash sorting room! :)

[Jeanine]

I have a small fabric stash. But don't sew! LOL. I have sewing machine but for some reason get motivated to use it. I have a tendency to buy fabric just to be buying it. It's getting to the point when I have fabric that I don't remember I bought. Some people sort them on shelves by color. It's a site to see when it's stored that way. If you are going to store them in rubbermaid's perhaps you can photograph the fabric and place a picture of it on top or front of it, so you know what fabric is inside.

[Leora]

I had to write and let you know I have the piles of fabric going on too. I have filled an entire walk-in closet with 10 bins and more loosely stacked fabrics on top... waiting... waiting for me to decide what do make next. I don't have any advice for SWAP planning because I tend to plan but never get even a quarter of the way through the darn plan before I'm off to something more interesting. Oh, well! Your blog is great! Have a nice weekend :)