Sign In
Ask The Readers: Will you wear that?
How often do you buy fabrics or patterns you’ll never wear?
Sometimes I find myself looking at clothing patterns with silhouettes I wouldn’t be comfortable in, or fabrics that are too bold for a practical garment. I have to stop and ask myself: Will I really wear that?
If I don’t consider this while shopping, I’ll put hours of work into a garment only to see it shoved to the back of my closet. Do you ever find yourself in this kind of pickle?
Comments
Erin Hill
August 21, 2013 #
I have a huge stash of fabric and patterns, that im pretty sure i will never use, im really a beginner and now im starting to know what to get and what not too lol.
Esta
August 21, 2013 #
I sometimes enjoy sewing something whacky just because I can! Of course, in a way I’m wasting both my time and the fabric, but if I enjoy the creative process and even learn something while doing it, then why not (as long as this practice won’t prevail over the reasonable sewing projects).
rachel
August 21, 2013 #
yes, i agree! I think it is important to challenge yourself. You will get something out of it! Actually, I have made a few things that i havent worn then given to an op shop…in the vain hope that i’ll see someone ‘wearing one of my designs’!!! I even sneakily write my name, as if it is a brand on the lining…..
Robin
August 22, 2013 #
I agree! I ask myself if I think I could buy a potential make off of a store rack, or if I ever expect to see it on anyone else. If the answers are no, and it’s obviously not a clown suit I have in mind (unless I am totally deluding myself) then I am much more likely to take a bet on making it. Sometimes I lose the bet, and sometimes I win, but I usually enjoy the process either way. Part of the secret is I bargain shop for unusual fabrics, and try to not take any of the results too seriously.
Megan Rose
August 21, 2013 #
I don’t as much as I used to, especially now that I stopped buying so damn much quilting cotton. I’ve made a few good QC dresses, but most of the things I made with it are sitting in my closet, worn only once. It’s mostly due to pairing it with a bad pattern, a pattern that would’ve been good made with another type of fabric. So really, as I learn about sewing, I learn what goes together better and I end up wearing more and more of my clothes.
Of course, I also have a ton of fabric and patterns I bought years ago and have not used yet.
Kat
August 21, 2013 #
I do find myself doing this, but less than I used to. I think with every misstep I make I refine my tastes and therefore I hone my shopping just that tiny bit more. This not an overnight process, I must admit, but I take baby steps and I do feel I’m making more projects that I like than I don’t. But it is process… and I’m beginning to think it doesn’t have an end point. But that’s what makes it eternally fun :)
Stephanie
August 21, 2013 #
Yeah….I have some of those….. I’ve been trying hard this year to focus on sewing simple, more practical pieces and it’s paid off!
Caroline
August 21, 2013 #
Honestly, even if it’s a little too bold or crazy on the print or style front (this goes for vintage as well as handmade), I’ll still wear it. I actually wind up getting more compliments on some of the crazier stuff, although I don’t wear them because of that–I wear the bolder stuff because, well, it’s awesome. I think it’s mostly just about my confidence levels–the more confident I get, the more my wardrobe horizons expand.
El
August 21, 2013 #
No, I don’t allow myself to be limited by what I think would look good on me. If I am attracted to a pattern, I will end up sewing it and loving it. I have done that with fabric tho. I keep a large stash of fabric on hand all the time, and only buy fabrics that I have an instant feeling about. If I have to think about it and decide whether I want it or not, then I don’t buy it. The result is a stash that is very cohesive and “me.”
Robin
August 22, 2013 #
I think we all have per-filtered ideas of what works for us, what’s acceptable to wear in our culture, work environment, social gatherings, and partially based on our age, gender, how we think others want us to dress, etc. that ends up regulating our choices, and a lot of times we are only vaguely aware of this influence. I live in a rural area of the U.S., and clothing is very casual, conventional, undaring. If i lived in NYC or London, and didn’t work in a traditional work environment where a dress code (formal or informal) was enforced, I think I would make much bolder choices and be happier for it.
Manette Gutterman
August 21, 2013 #
I have more things that I would wear but find the skirt is shorter than it looked on the pattern. Trial and error, I suppose. I am trying to be more aware of these measurements before making them now.
dockso
August 21, 2013 #
Yes it can be very tempting to make pieces of clothing just for the joy of making them even if it’s not really my style. For me knitting is a big hole of unused sweater, I simply wanted to make them. What a wast of beautiful sweater. This has not jet transformed over to my sewing, I hope it stays that way.
Paige @ LPD
August 21, 2013 #
I’m really trying to be much more discerning in what I buy. I had a bit of a vintage pattern buying problem, and 300 patterns later I’m on an official pattern buying ban (well minus the new colette patterns).
I’ve also decided not to buy any fabric unless I have a project I’m ready to do. I have a smaller stash I’m working through right now. I buy a lot of silky fabric that I’m scared to work with, because slippery stuff can be challenging. I think I like sewing with linen the best (even though it wrinkles so so bad).
Claire
August 21, 2013 #
I am ashamed to admit it, but I hardly ever wear dresses or skirts after I have made them. I always end up putting wide legged trousers on. It is a combination of being useless with tights – how come one leg always twists around on me? – and also really only being prepared to wear comfortable shoes or sandals. (I know I sound sad!)
I keep trying to change. Before I had my family I preferred dresses, I am really not sure what happened. The youngest are now 21 (twins), so no real excuse. At least I make dresses for my girls who really enjoy wearing them and don’t care if they have a summer dress with leggings or boots or whatever.
Mugsy
August 21, 2013 #
I have a strange habit of buying vintage patterns that are in a size I wish I was – not much smaller than I am now, but in my measurements circa 2 years ago. I have a small stash of material that is both wearable and likable that is earmarked for various projects…but the patterns I picked up at the time for these projects (both vintage and modern sewing patterns) are no longer in my size. I procrastinated for too long, I guess.
Another problem is bust to waist to hip measurement variation. Yes, there are so many adjustments that can be made to patterns (some of which can be easy to do and learn), but my dread is adjusting the bust-line (always smaller *lol*) – something about re-jigging darts scares the doo-hickey out of me! I’ll just have to pay more attention to the wonderful adjustment tutorials here to help me get over myself and my fears… *lol*
Heather
August 21, 2013 #
I do this too! Umm..I’ve been trying to convince myself it’s just positive thinking? :)
Rachel
August 21, 2013 #
I am a big advocate of learning to adjust patterns. Otherwise you may as well buy something off the rack, right? I have tons of vintage patterns and always have to grade them down multiple sizes.
You should see if there are any classes at your local sewing studios on grading patterns. Or perhaps someone knows of some good online resources?
Mugsy
August 26, 2013 #
Fantastic idea – I’m sure there’s many classes in or around Toronto…and I’ve been fortunate to “meet” a bunch of sewing enthusiasts in blogland in Toronto as well, so I’m sure to find something.
Thanks much, Rachel! :)
Emma Jayne
August 21, 2013 #
I stood in one fabric shop and couldn’t decide between two fabrics for a dress… I asked the assistant and she confidently said “not that one, the print is too large for you”. Since that comment I’ve been really careful to consider whether I just like the fabric or whether it’ll be a wearable garment. And… more importantly… I’ve accepted that I can appreciate fabric and not buy it!!!
Christianne
August 24, 2013 #
I finally have the time to sew because I am retired, but I also have no need for any more clothes. I still buy patterns for comfy knit dresses, because that’s what I find myself wearing most of the time.I often tweak the patterns a little, so often I won’t wear the first dress I make after the muslin. But I am very careful when I pick patterns, and when I find one I love, I make it in several versions.
Janette
August 21, 2013 #
I have a ton of fabric I won’t use and several patterns. It was because I was drawn to all the pretty cotton prints when I first started. Now it’s in my stash and to use it I’ll eventually make PJ’s or some aprons. What a waste. Good apparel fabric is so hard to find (at least in person, in Columbus, OH). I always have to stop myself and think if it was a blouse or dress in a store or catalog, would I be drawn to it? Usually looking at it that way, convinces me to put it back.
Jennifer at My Sewing Suite
August 21, 2013 #
I do this often. I love so many vintage patterns with the full skirts but it is not really something that I wear or looks good on me. I have so many skirted suit patterns that I have bought but do not need. I am a part time dental hygienist /part time homemaker so dressing up is not really practical. I am working on collecting less of these items.
Heidilea
August 21, 2013 #
I used to be very guilty of this the first few years of sewing. I used to look for the boldest, most unique print or the rarest color for the fabric (ie–lavender wool suiting) on the website or the store. Then, one day, I realized I had a bin of crazy fabrics and none of them matched each other! The best I could have done was made a bunch of summer dresses, but what good would that do for a full wardrobe?
I used to gravitate towards formal-wear patterns. Even if I didn’t, I’d get a pattern for a dress, and then it would be so long before I used it, said dress would be out of style or too young for me!
Now, I am more careful when choosing fabrics and patterns–I keep in mind what I would like to make and what other pieces it will go with. I’ll do my best to get a classic or more timeless cut. I am extremely careful with prints now, but I still slip up. Like last fall, I bought a couple of yards of a purple gray rayon and a lavender dot cotton for blouses. I bought two New Look patterns, and cut them out! The idea was to match the lavender wool suiting, which they both do perfectly. However, I don’t wear polka dots, especially teeny ones! I look at the print and feel silly! And, on the other side of it, the patterns were almost 10 years in print and look out of style now. Plus, I still didn’t know about ease, and the suckers will need to be cut down before they can fit!!
Rachel
August 21, 2013 #
You bring up an interesting point of a pattern going out of style. Since it still takes me a while to sew through all of my projects, I strictly buy sewing patterns with classic looks. Or even better, vintage patterns that have already stood the test of time.
Heidilea
August 22, 2013 #
I agree–vintage and classic patterns all the way! Now that I have some years of experience (read: failure) under my belt, I find I can look at a pattern’s garment lines and mentally update it with newer fabrics and prints. The only issue I run into now is sometimes the finished garment doesn’t flatter in the way I thought it would. :P
autumn
August 28, 2013 #
I started sewing 9 years ago when I was in my early 20s and I lived outside of the city so I only was able to make it to an actual sewing store every once in a while. I had heard about Joanne and Hancock pattern sales, but I had no way to find out when they were or how much they were discounted (typically one week every month down to $1.99 or $.99), so I only bought the “see and sew” or New Look patterns at Wal-mart in the small town I lived in. I wish I had known about Pattern Review sooner because it is the best resource for a budding sewist. You can save yourself years of trial and error and cash by seeing what finished garments look like from other sewist and which patterns actually have errors in them or are difficult to follow. I was shock to find out that patterns frequently do have actual errors or poor instructions, and that some companies specialize in writing clear instructions (winking at you Colette). The pattern is only worth the msrp price if it is a well drafted and clearly instructed pattern. Thanks to the online sewing communities I know more about sewing than many women who learned sewing when home ec. was still a standard course. I am prone to error and learning about tracing patterns and making muslins was invaluable to me. I don’t have much time for sewing, but now when I do, I can produce something that is lovely to wear.
Melissa
August 21, 2013 #
I have this problem because of quilting cotton & I know it’s the quilting cotton. Decent apparel fabric is also very hard to come by in Louisville, KY. I guess being so close to Paducah, KY they think the only sewing being done around here is quilting. ;) What little bit of non-quilting cotton I own are the exact fabrics you’ve suggested or actually used to make one of your patterns, or that another skilled sewing blogger has used. Through this process I am slowly learning what each type of fabric is & how it drapes. Because of this I am also finding out which online shops have these types of fabrics in patterns I actually like & that flatter my somewhat fluffy, big busted, 5’2″ body. I’m also discovering what shapes work best w/ my build. It’s just a learning process that I’m kind of near the beginning of still. I’ll get there. :)
Kristin
August 21, 2013 #
Yes, this is so important! When I was younger, I spent tons of money and had a closet full of clothes that I didn’t like because they weren’t my style. Sure they looked great on the hanger or someone else, but they didn’t work for me. Why waste my time, money, and closet space?
The same goes for fabric now that I try to sew most of my clothes. Why spend money on fabric if I’m not going to use it? I may like some wild and crazy prints, but I know that I wouldn’t wear any of them out in public – same with the expensive formal fabrics. I have nowhere to wear them in, and while I COULD go grocery shopping in formal attire, it’s just not going to happen. And yeah, why clutter up my sewing room with boxes overflowing with fabric? I think restraint, while not fun, is very important.
Theresa
August 21, 2013 #
When it comes to sewing for my children, I go a bit crazy (some quilting cottons are thrown in as well as garment fabrics) but, for myself? No. I am an agonizer. I will carefully select my patterns, then I will select a fabric to accentuate what I like about the pattern (I have a very tiny stash, I mostly buy for specific pieces) and I like to make things together to coordinate.
I have planned my autumn wardrobe (just started, I’m so behind) and I picked fabrics in colors that I am comfortable in (with just enough that’s new to be interesting) and that would look nice in combination.
Now, I have fantasies about chartreuse charmeuse cocktail dresses (lol, say that 3 times fast!) but, I suppose you could say I am sewing mostly “cake” right now, with a keen eye for wardrobe building…
Jessica
August 21, 2013 #
I found that I buy a lot of quilting cottons, which I love, but really didn’t look well with patterns that are not intended for them (too stiff). I just recently bought a blouse top by Amy Butler that is made for them so maybe I’ll be able to do some stash busting. I have fewer nice wovens and knits, but have recently invested in some – now time to make it all up!
I will tell you if I really feel the fabric is a “mistake” and it wasn’t an outrageously expensive piece I will use it later for a muslin. The fewer expensive pieces I know I’ll never wear I’ll probably put on Etsy to resale one of these days.
Brenda
August 21, 2013 #
Sure, I do buy fabric and patterns that aren’t “me”. I love fabric and I love patterns. When I purchase something, and later think “hmm. What was I thinking?” there’s a legitimate question. What did attract me to the pattern or fabric? What can I learn about myself and/or the choice?
If I’m de-stashing or cleaning out the closet, my next step is to just find the rightful owner and pass the item/s along.
One of my current ways to pause the process is to collect images (maybe I should learn pintrest) and bookmarks. Then I take a look later and see if this was an infatuation or something worthy of a long term (monetary) commitment.
Rachel
August 21, 2013 #
How funny, that is exactly what I use Pintrest for! I’ll impulse pin rather than impulse purchase. If I still like something I’ve pinned a few months later, I’ll allow myself to buy it.
Your Name… *Vanessa Mcwilliams
August 22, 2013 #
So much this! I pin everything I see that I like, and if I notice a trend, or that I’m still coveting something later on then I’ll go about making/purchasing it.
I tend to wear crazy stuff anyway, so it’s more the plainer garments that I sew that end up not being worn.
Alice
August 21, 2013 #
I have definitely purchased some fabrics on a whim from estate sales or thrift stores, and then, upon reaching home, realize that I have no use for it.
Trice
August 21, 2013 #
Most of my fabric are fabric I would wear. However, there are some pieces that I purchased to branch out of my comfort zone. I am gal that loves her solids, so there are prints that not too likely to be used. However, I have started using those for Swap Meetups, gifts or fabric testing. I guess they would be good as muslin too.
Betty Jordan Wester
August 21, 2013 #
I have patterns and fabric from 15 years ago, some which are still usable and some which are too flashy for my 40 year old self. I have an Issey Miyake pattern that’s very “Blade Runner” with stirrup pants! I’d never make it now, but I do keep it because it reminds me of my 25 year old self ;)
Sara
August 21, 2013 #
I really don’t do this — if I’m not going to wear something, why spent time making it? And why would I spend money on fabric that I would never use? I try to stick with pattern silhouettes that I like (clean, classic, easily modified, fits well) and fabrics I will wear (natural fibers). I must also confess that fitting is not my favorite part of sewing, so the fewer patterns I have to fit, the better.
That said, I am definitely guilty of making a frivolous new dress every time I have an event to attend — usually a wedding. Hahahaha. :)
Meigan
August 21, 2013 #
I am definitely guilty of buying patterns and fabric that I probably won’t use. As I get older and wiser I’m making better choices and only buying things that I will make and wear. Otherwise, my stash will be full of things I no longer like and will wind up giving it away.
KS Gentry
August 21, 2013 #
I have learned my lesson on buying patterns that I would never wear if I made them. My problem is not the patterns but the fabric. I can’t get out of a fabric store without filling my bag with ‘on sale’ fabric. I get it home and both my daughters look at me like I am crazy for buying it. And off it goes into my ever growing stash in my closet.
Laura
August 21, 2013 #
When I can get patterns for pennies at garage sales and thrift store, I buy indiscriminately. Some I buy for the graphics, some because there is an illustrated idea that interests me. When I was young and isolated and compelled to pay full price for patterns I would buy new ones only if they offered a new technique or shape I couldn’t fake on my own. That’s when I learned that size is not consistent, that 28 inches for one company is 32 in another, and that many things should never get out of the muslin stage.
M
August 21, 2013 #
I was going to say “no, I am never in that pickle”, but then I thought about it and I do ask myself that question. Every time I buy anything, ever, even my groceries, I ask myself “why do I want that?” and if the answer isn’t “because it is useful”, then I don’t buy it. I don’t like having things for the sake of having them, partially because it feels wasteful in the general sense, and partially because, frankly, I don’t have the financial means to have things simply for the sake of having them.
Seattlerain
August 21, 2013 #
I’ll sometimes buy a pattern where I only like the sleeves or the neckline but don’t really care for the rest. With frankensteining dresses and $1.99 pattern sales, I’m not so worried about wasted patterns or effort. That said, I am on a strict no pattern buying ban!
With fabric, I am not so strict but aiming to be. A sale on Hello Kitty Liberty of London lawn makes me pay up, as does the random coupon to local Indie fabric shops, but I’m going to keep that under control. I have too much “frosting” and loud prints that don’t match any solid “cake”, so that has been guiding my few recent purchases.
I’m willing to use up my patterns that is never otherwise look at ready-to-wear. I figure with quilting cotton to muslin from stash and if use a long stitch, I’ll give it a try. Maybe I’ll surprise myself and like it because it is something I sweated over. But if not, it is all part of the process!
Seattlerain
August 21, 2013 #
Is= I’d
Alyson Clair
August 21, 2013 #
Make It Good skirt? So cute.
I’m super guilty of this. A lot of times I make nice garments, and then never ever want to wear them. Good thing other people do!
Rachel
August 21, 2013 #
Yes, the skirt is Make It Good I adore them, they’re a fantastic local company!
Donna
August 21, 2013 #
I do this with RTW – so why not garments I sew? I have several things (mostly blouses, but also skirts and dresses) that I have worn a few times, but don’t really want to wear again. Most of them looked good to me at the store, but I’ve found issues (usually with fit, but sometimes w/ fabric or the general silhouette) that show up after a full day of wear.
I also have issues with shoes – which severely limits my wearing of skirts and dresses. My feet are awful – if I don’t wear socks my feet or my shoes (or both – I almost cried over some pretty Bass sandals once) are torn up by the end of the day. (Sometimes my feet are injured (blisters or raw spots usually) even when I wear socks.) I also work just down the hall (in 2 directions!) from a lab that has rules about footwear. I need to walk down their hallway to get to the ladies room. They don’t even allow ballet flats or clogs anymore (never did allow open toes). Sometimes I just wear sandals anyway.
Lisa
August 21, 2013 #
For everyone bemoaning all the quilting cotton bought when we first started sewing, here’s a blog I found useful that has a list of 40+ stores with good apparel fabrics, along with price details, shipping costs, etc. So, fabric.com isn’t the only way?! I had no idea. Haha.
http://sewciopathic.com/2013/03/40-online-sources-for-fabulous-affordable-fashion-fabric/
Rebecca Silva
August 21, 2013 #
Yes, def bought patterns and fabric not suited to me, I have lots of people I could always give my makes to though, which doesn’t make it feel so wasteful ;)
Jenny
August 21, 2013 #
I have a similar problem to that… I’ve inherited a huge pile of fabric that I will probably never use, but i just can’t seem to let go of it! Lately, I’ve been thinking it’s time to pay it forward and pass it on to friends that might actually enjoy it.
Mads
August 21, 2013 #
I’ve been more adventurous when it comes to buying fabric vs. what I would pick off a rack of RTW clothes. I still stick to my personal rules re: colors or prints I won’t wear, but I am branching out a little more. I mostly buy vintage patterns and don’t take a lot of interest in more avant garde designs, so I’m pretty “safe” in that regard. I like buying from shops (online) that have Wish List functions–that lets me mull things over and evaluate whether it’s a good decision before I spend any money! The earlier point about Pintrest is a great idea, too!
coffeeaddict
August 21, 2013 #
I think part of the fun of exploring fashion, style, DIY,… is the ability to consciously make “bad” decisions and have fun with them. While I do make a lot of wearable stuff and sensible items the inner Grecian godess in me loves the opportunity of creating empire waist gowns with a train or delightful babydoll dresses even if it’s just to put them on and have a cup of coffee by myself. We all need to feel glamourous and giddy from time to time.
Paola
August 21, 2013 #
I have two weaknesses – one is drapey silks. I don’t have a drapey silk kinda life, I don’t have a drapey silk kinda personality. Yet I keep buying the stuff. I don’t sew it. I think I get sucked in by the texture.
The other is high waisted skirts and pants. I’m short waisted, yet I love the high waist look. Disaster waiting to happen.
Denise Wood
August 21, 2013 #
I tell myself that having a file cabinet stuffed with patterns, and stacks of bins filled with fabric is better than being addicted to drugs. Just sayin.’
francesca
August 27, 2013 #
I totally hear you :)
Giggles in the Sun
August 21, 2013 #
One of my biggest problems with patterns are that I am drawn to similar patterns all the time. I don’t have hundreds of patterns, but the ones I have are quite similar. For example: Pattern Review brought out it’s own A-Line skirt pattern and I was desperate to buy it. Then I looked through my patterns and I have one Butterick A-line skirt pattern, I have 1 Burda Magazine A-line skirt where I made a muslin and it fits and looks really nice and all I have to do is make the actual skirt and I also have a yoke skirt that has an A-line shape and that I have sewn several time … so no I don’t need the Pattern Review A-line skirt pattern as well. My dress patterns all look eerily similar as well …
now fabric … I think my next new year resolution will be that I buy fabric only for a specific project, not randomly and then it just sits there, because the longer it sits the more value it loses.
Kate
August 21, 2013 #
In recent years I’ve become much better at not buying patterns/fabric/stuff that I wouldn’t sew/use/work for me and admiring from afar. I also manage not buying almost identical patterns much better.
But then, I guess I’m just as guilty of having more of a sewing stash than our space permits.
Trisha
August 22, 2013 #
There are so many beautiful fabrics out there, it can be hard to resist something, even if it isn’t right for you. As a novice sewist, I have bought a few fabrics that I didn’t like later, and I’m still trying to figure out what to do with them. I’ve also made a few errors in fabric choices for patterns resulting in garments that are stiff where they should drape…but it has taght me a lot about fabric choices and getting to know the personalities of different types of fabric. For the most part, though, my philosophy is no fabric regrets! I figure if I have a lifetime, I can find a use for those “oops” fabrics. Eventually. But for now, they live in the bottom of the trunk. Where I won’t see them again for looong time. Maybe by the time I unbury them, an idea will come to me.
autumn
August 28, 2013 #
I ordered a bunch of fabric online and some pieces were not exactly as I had imagined them to be in texture, drape or detail. I didn’t feel like dealing with the hassle of sending back a couple of pieces when 90% of my order was as expected or better so I just stuffed those pieces under the bed. Now I cut swatches of all my fabric and pin or clip them to the pattern I want to use them with and the unloved swatches go in a plastic ziplock baggie right in the pattern drawer. When I get new patterns or fabric I go through everything and try to pair things up. I find that while I won’t ever dig out that old fabric that I find super frumpy to make a match, that with the accessible swatch I can hold it next to a new fabric swatch or pattern and see it in a different light. I had a greenish suiting swatch from said fabric stuffed under bed that finally found a way to shine as a pencil skirt paired with a black rayon challis blouse. The drapey black rayon makes the green suiting pop and shine, and it suddenly looks lovely.
Janet
August 22, 2013 #
I just went to buy a zipper….and I came home with 4 fabrics too. I was so proud of my 3 fabric stash. I love the earlier comment that it is better than a drug addiction. I love my fabric. I take it out of the cabinet and I fold each piece and put it back over and over again. I love more colourful fabrics than I actually am comfortable wearing …. yet. I am a fairly conservative dresser. It is a tension that is kinda fun. I love being around these fabrics. Why aren’t I wearing them? I think that the balance will come and go. I will get a little braver and the buying will also become more “sensible”. Enjoying the ride!
Elena
August 22, 2013 #
Learning to visualize fabric in the form of a garment, and then that garment on one’s body and paired with other items from one’s wardrobe, is a skill that takes time to learn. I find myself attracted to ready-to-wear clothes and shoes simply as beautiful objects, only to find I don’t like how they look on my body. I have tried to stay away from this with sewing, but I do find I have to push myself to buy any fabric in a solid colour.
The strategy that works for me is to always think of the garment first, THEN the fabric. I never buy fabric without a specific plan for it. For example, I want to make April Rhodes’ staple dress in a navy cotton. I would never just walk into a fabric store and buy navy cotton just on its own, but now that I know I want this dress, I will be doing exactly that!
Catherine
August 23, 2013 #
Matching fabrics and patterns is the hardest thing as a new sewer. Also I love patterns that would have suited me years ago but do nothing for my body shape now. I decided to look at what suits me in my wardrobe then buy patterns with similar shapes. BUT why oh why am I drawn to busy patterns???? My new resolution is to buy plain fabrics but add an interesting twist in the lining, binding or pocket
Valerie
August 22, 2013 #
I just spent two hours culling and organizing my pattern stash so I can say with absolute certainty that I am guilty of buying patterns that must have seemed like a good idea at the time. Now I can’t help but wonder what I was thinking! Many of the patterns didn’t suit my body shape or my lifestyle. The fun of pattern and fabric shopping is imagining the finished project and it seems my imagination ran away with me few times!
cynthia gehin
August 22, 2013 #
Sorry to hear about all the patterns being tossed. I threw out so many patterns years ago in a major move. Totally regret that now! Am guilty of buying fabric on whim with no thought about outcome. Somehow making a ‘plain white shirt’ just doesn’t seem as appealing to me when I’m in a fabric store.
Annie
August 22, 2013 #
I have to say…my biggest problem with both store-bought clothing and fabric I hoard to make into clothing, is that they all have patterns. Patterns are great, I love prints, but when everything I own has a print it’s really hard to dress myself. Yet I continue to buy printed fabric, it’s just not as fun to make a dress or top in a solid in my opinion. So I end up with a lot of fabric collected that is sometimes impractical in my wardrobe, even though I adore it. I guess I will just have to keep wearing florals with polka dots with stripes.
lin
August 26, 2013 #
My issue always seems to be finding something to “go with” whatever I’ve sewn. I can make a fabulous dress and not find shoes that work with it or make a top with a new silhouette or color and never find a skirt or pant (either RTW or pattern) that works. This limits my sewing–I’ve stopped making “one off” articles and now wait until I get the entire outfit planned. Drafting my own patterns opens this up but then the time to design and draft often prohibits the successful completion of the outfit.
Jennifer Mathis
August 26, 2013 #
I was working on a dress that I’ve been calling “The Sisyphus Dress,” because of the number of times I’ve had to re-trace and re-alter the pattern.
Yesterday, I finally finished the dang thing, only to find out that I absolutely HATE the style on me! From now on, I will try to dismiss “I love this design on paper,” and focus on “how will this design look on ME.”
Marianne
August 27, 2013 #
I relate to each and everyone of these comments! I still like the look of cotton prints, but prefer a nice lawn. I am a fool for Liberty cotton! However, the price per yard keeps me from having a stash of it. When I think back about the clothes I have made out of Liberty that I gave away, because I wore so much I got tired of it, I could kick myself for giving them away.
If I like a pattern, I buy it! Especially if it is on sale. I just got a bunch of Vogue designer patterns on sale for 2 bucks each. I have been sorry too often that a pattern I wanted went out of print! For example, I wish I bought and kept every Betsy Johnson Alley cat pattern from the 70’s! They are very expensive on ebay.
MaryAlice
August 27, 2013 #
I have too big a stash, people give me what they don’t want, my husband picks stuff up he thinks I might like and it is overwhelming. Some of it even goes out of date and then comes back in again. However, I have many Issey Miyake patterns for things I will never make, I look at instructions and techniques and really enjoy just having them, like a good book on the shelf.
Kathleen
September 4, 2013 #
Unfortunately, as I delve further and further into what could become the Black Hole of Sewing, I find I’m buying patterns because I like the look of the garment, whereas, were I to see the finished garment on the rack, I’d not buy it because it’s not flattering. So often I’m finding patterns that haven’t made it beyond the muslin stage – the Hawthorn dress being one of those. Super cute on the envelope – and even acceptable in a soft cotton as a blouse – but not good with all that fabric over my hips. Sigh. I love sewing, I just need to remember what looks good on me and regretfully pass on those patterns experience tells me will never work on me – unless I can lose those 30 pounds I’ve wanted to lose since I left my 20’s!