Michelle, ma belle... tres bien ensemble
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Michelle ma belle, sont des mots qui vont très bien ensemble,

Tres bien ensemble

Chicken? Egg?

3/19/2012

9 Comments

 
I, like many knitters, have  small...ish... problems with stashaholism. Most of the time, I have ZERO idea what purpose the yarn I'm buying will serve. I buy yarn, when I travel, as souvenirs. I buy yarn because it's on sale. I sometimes buy rogue yarn to get free shipping... I'm fairly confident, at the moment of purchase, I'll eventually do something  with my acquisition. It's not going to spoil. It's definitely the right size. I've never met a yarn I couldn't live with for months...years. (If you're a knitter, you're probably shaking your head in agreement and understanding. It's what we do.)

Like a good little knitter, I very frequently rifle through my stash to plan upcoming projects. Typically, I'll determine which yarn I want to use and how much of it I have, then I'll hit Ravelry and 'filter' my way down to a suitable pattern. There are instances when I see, fall in love with, and specifically buy yarn for a particular pattern. But, my process is usually Yarn first, then pattern.

With sewing. I function entirely in reverse. In fact, I don't have anything close to a "stash" where fabric is concerned. I don't think I've ever walked into a fabric store and been struck by inspiration. If I go to buy fabric without a plan, I'm disoriented; I wander; I leave overwhelmed and empty-handed. 

When it comes time to sew. I choose a pattern, then shop for fabric. There's nothing really wrong with this approach, but it does mean I miss the opportunity to load-up during really wonderful sales; it irritates my inner tightwad to know my short-shortsightedness causes me to spend more than I have to. 

I've noticed a lot of project forecasting around the blogsphere for upcoming spring/summer sewing... which got me thinking... and ultimately resulted in some organization and planning of my own. A week or so ago, notice of a nice fabric SALE landed in my inbox. With spring/summer in mind, I rummaged through my cabinet and picked out a PILE of patterns I thought I might be interested in sewing sometime soonish and then searched for fabrics to realize them. Here's what I came up with:    
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Advance 9329 and Lavendar Floral Lawn Eyelet 
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Pattern Bureau 2676 and Plaid Rayon Challis
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Simplicity 2827 and Charcoal Shantung
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UNKNOWN MAKER 9091 and Grey/White Sateen
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Simplicity 4984 and Polka Dot Sateen
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Vouge 1220 and Blue Rayon Faille 
I didn't buy lining or notions for any of these, but I'm feeling very eager to get started! I hope the excitement sustains until I'm able to make a trip to the store. I am completely aware that, based on the rate at which I turn out garments, this is 6months worth of projects. But, I'm not going to let that get in the way the next time I  feel like splurging on a really good deal. Each of these was less than $5 a yard!  

How do you plan a project(s)? Does the chicken or the egg come first?  
9 Comments
Truly Myrtle link
3/19/2012 05:31:22 am

I love your patterns and fabric - the yellow dots are my favourite!
I am a terrific yarn stasher and a fabric stasher. With yarn I just buy it like you - with fabric I think I have an idea in mind - but, often I don't get around to it... can't keep up!
I have boxes of fabric - boxes and boxes....

Reply
Eve link
3/19/2012 08:03:30 am

Nice combos! Can't wait to see the black one.
:-)

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Michele link
3/19/2012 09:54:42 am

Holy moly! Those are all so cute! I can't wait to see the finish products of all of those pattern/fabric combinations.

If you accidentally make any of those in the wrong size or you don't like the end product I will gladly take them off your hands. I'm here to help *wink*wink*wink*

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Pumpkin link
3/19/2012 11:38:15 am

I do the exact same thing with finding patterns to fit the yarn I've randomly bought, glad to hear I'm not the only one who enjoys finding patterns that way. I find it particularly interesting how your process works when you sew, although I totally understand why you would do it that way.

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Marie link
3/19/2012 08:10:35 pm

Even as a newbie knitter, I entirely agree about the stashaholism. Where I differ to you though, is that I'm exactly the same with sewing. Our 'spare' room has been taken over by my stashes....it's quite ridiculous, but I just can't seem to help myself!

Your upcoming sewing plans look divine though, what excellent patterns and complimentary fabric!

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Erin link
3/19/2012 09:06:56 pm

I don't sew (at least not well) but all of these projects you have planned are so inspiring! I love them!

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Amanda link
3/20/2012 04:27:36 pm

"(If you're a knitter, you're probably shaking your head in agreement and understanding. It's what we do.)"

YES!!!

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Deedo link
3/21/2012 04:14:17 pm

Cute dresses! Oh my, I have a yarn stash, a fabric stash (bug purses) AND a fiber stash. :(

Totally normal and understandable. ;)

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Juliette Sewing And Style link
4/5/2012 11:36:59 pm

OMG that Vogue 1220 is my dream! Actually I am planning to start a TRACE and SWOP community, and this dress was why I even started to think about it: I just want it so much. Vogue don't do downloadable patterns and they charge a fortune to post to Ireland (Very overpriced for the postage weight of a letter really) Lucky you!!!!!

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