Sewing With A Plan

To help organize my thoughts (and because its fun!) I have started some rudimentary storyboards to plan my wardrobe sewing. I've entered the Endless Combinations contest hosted by Pattern Review and started my sewing with McCalls 5241 & Butterick 3344.

McCalls 5241 is my attempt at a cardigan because I think I look frumpy in most cardigans. It's inspiration is a DKNY 'cozy' wrap cardigan that I saw in Lucky magazine. Butterick 3344 is a matching t-shirt that I made with a low scoop and extended sleeves that pool around my wrists a bit. The inspiration is James Perse t-s from Net-a-Porter.

My challenge is to build in some more trendy, fashion forward pieces into the wardrobe plan. As you can see by my storyboards, the clothing is pretty clean and tailored looking so far. At least my 'fabric store' is filled with lovely, co-ordinated fabrics and millions of patterns!

It's Done!!

Well it's finally done, my dream sewing space! Here are a few pics....cutting table in the middle, my machines all in a row (will most of them), and a large double closet AKA my Fabric Store...and you haven't seen all my pattern stash yet! The open shelving is for my e-bay patterns

Progress on the Sewing Room

WAAAAH, my sewing room is still in progress! However, it is getting closer to completion. As you can see from the pics, the closet is in and the mirrored doors installed, and the walls are drywalled & primed. The shelf for my machines is ready to be installed

Really all that is left is some shelves for the closet, some open shelving for my e-bay pattern selling, patching some gaps and some trim. Also the pot lights have to come out and the new light fixture installed. Then painting! The door is primed & ready to paint, the coating is still on the glass window panels, but it is a 1/2 french door with textured glass panels.

I was lucky to be given a nice small entertainment armoire in a cherry finish for the room, and my hubby rescued a bookshelf from his ex's basement which will be perfect for my books and magazines. Probably 3 weeks to a month away from projects, but getting close!!

Fall Wardrobe

Well, I have been doing some wardrobe planning in eager anticipation of my new sewing room (hopefully a mere 3 weeks away from being functional). I did try sewing with a plan in the summer and was able to finish only a mere 2 garments from my plan. I have the fabrics planned in my head, they are not on the boards yet.

My revised storyboard is above. The striped knit t-shirt will be first (fast sewing) and pants next (in dire need of).

Oh, and shoes.....I'm thinking a funky open toe patent to wear with fun socks or tights. Oh and this is the first time trying to post a powerpoint file

The Beginning

Well, I guess it's time to start a blog. My original opinion was that blogs are a bit of self absorbsion on the internet, but I have grudgingly come to admit that I have found other's blogs very inspiring. Not that I aspire to by inspiring, but it becomes a place to organize my thoughts.

This is basically my hobby blog about all things sewing. I thought it was apropos to start now because after sewing for 33 years, on my second marriage (to the good handsome hubby) and on my 4th house, this is my first sewing room!

I have had sewing nooks, part of a sewing loft, had to sew in my dining room and had a sewing corner for about a year, but now you can see the beginning of my first ever sewing room!

The finished size will be a luxurious 11' x 17', with a wall of closet space (for sharing with our camping equipment). I plan to have room in the centre for a cutting table, an l-shaped workspace with room for 2 machines side by side plus my serger, open shelving and perhaps some free standing cupboards. I have quite a large fabric and pattern stash as well as about 300 patterns that I have to sell on e-bay at any given time, plus notions, books, thread, etc. Here are some pics of HH with the drywall. The framing was graciously provided by my brother in law and his friend in exchange for a steak dinner.