Planning for Seams and Seams for Planning

Aside from the numerous other things I have going on in my life, and all of the writing I do professionally and for shits and giggles, I sew.  A lot.  As any of you know that read this blog. . . duh.  Well anywho, a slew of people have been messaging asking me how in the hell I can keep up the pace, make so much, and well . . . be on target for what I want to wear.  So, here's my secret: a list.  A detailed list.

I should note my sister sent me the leather notebook for my Birthday.  I think it came in handy, as a list and repository for my sewing and other disasters.  

Of course, I use it for detailed notes on patterns that I later blather to you about.  The swatch is on the back of that page . . . unlike below where there was enough room to put in on the front of the page.  Sometimes I stitch the swatches into the book.  Just depends on what hour of the day I finish something and how lazy I am.  

See, a list I tell ya.

And since I know you want to know here's a little breakdown of what's on the sewing docket for Fall 2013.

If you look closely there's a bit on there, a handful crossed out (as in I finished them already, like my white Archer and the Gingham blouse), and well . . . in all honesty some of them need to be made up before I leave for Turkey at the end of October and some are late fall/early winter makes.  About Turkey, I have a conference I'm attending and giving a paper/book chapter at.  I love Turkey.  Ben de Turkie hakkinda yazarken ben, biraz Türk biliyorum (I know a little Turkish, as I write about Turkey).  Though, I am certain someone will spot an error in that sentence.  C'est la vie.  Yes, yes, I just mixed three languages in that paragraph.  Yes, I am tri-lingual (to an extent).

So, in a brief run through here are some of my highlights for Fall . . . clearly not everything.  What? I have to keep some surprises for ya to oogle on here.  And no, I am not even going to pretend to use Photoshop.

A stable knit, from Mood, and that funky zebra.  What pattern?  The zebra is to line the hood, in a similar way to how I lined my Avocado Hoodie that never made it on here.  

The Avocado:

White was the only damned sweatshirt fabric I could find . . . so, white was my testy test.  On one of my trips out of town I left my husband a note.  It stayed on the mirror for sometime.  

This is going to be another Sol Hoodie, and I got the ribbon when I was at Mood with my folks when they came to town.  Pretty, huh? I need my hoodies pre-Turkey as, well, one will come in handy on the flight and another will come in handy at night or on a ferry ride to the Greek Island of Kos.  Isn't that a dreamy image? 

Pictures do not do this vintage silk justice.  My Momma surrendered it from her stash . . . she bought it in the 70s, and the lavender (which is a mix of lavender and grey) is 36 inches wide! The floral is a sheer.  I'm thinking that I'm making the lavender up in Tilly's first beauty: 

I have some glass buttons to go on the back.  Doesn't that sound lovely.  As for the floral . . .I might make that into a scarf or use it as a two tone black Archer.  It is most likely going to sit and stew for another month before I decide.  

This knit:

Isn't it lovely?! Well, it is going to be Lady Skater number two (though mine is sans waistband).

Here's my first one, with animal print from Mood I scored over the summer.  Ignore my fugly hair here. 

Remember my birthday post? I got the purple plaid in black.  Cha cha! Mom and Dad sent me a check, off to Mood I went.  Well, that one I did online as I was on a tight, tight budget.  Still am . . . 

This, this, is going to be an Archer.  I also have a black and white flannel check that is going to be Archer number four!

While at Mood my Dad offered to buy me my Italian wool for a coat.  Yay! I opted for a cotton lining, which everyone seems to really like that idea.  Mom and Dad helped pick that print.  And . . . I'm pretty sure I have the buttons for free, as Tanfer's Mom gave me a stash and there are some that I am 95 percent certain will look lovely.  View A is my dream and since I paid nine bucks for the pattern . . .can we say nine dollar coat?

Burda patterns are notorious for shitty instructions, so expect one or maybe two test muslins in the next three weeks.  

And, also from my birthday post!

This dress is going to be gorgeous, especially with the tiny glass buttons! Another Turkey must have.  

And some of you saw this posting this week . . . My Copella is still up on the sewing block.  Today got derailed with DirecTV hell (let's not go there, okay), and my need and absolute desire to get a draft of a co-written wedding article done today.  So, as we always have to be in life, flexibility is the key.  Copella is a go for Sunday along with a cowl neck Briar and a long sleeved white Briar (both of those with a straight hem instead of the shirt tail hem on the pattern--seriuosly, those bad boys take me less than two hours from cut to finish and playing with the dog).  If I have enough to squeak one more from my white I'll make a run of the mill v-neck Renfrew.  What? Bamboo knit is kinda dreamy, and everyone needs a good t-shirt.

So, there you have it.  Details and plans.  Oh, wait. . .

This is Marc Jacobs, dark blue denim.  Guess what I am making? Yes, yes.  

So yea, details keep me on track, planning, and well . . . I don't have a sewing room but I have an organized book shelf, file cabinet, and kitchen table filled with sewing.  I only pack up the sewing machine when we have company, since Mr. Fairytale and I eat anywhere but at the table anymore.  Though, the machine has been our tablescape a few nights.  Ha ha.  

And, for the record, after every project I put my scissors, chalk pencil, pins, etc. away.  I leave the machine, mat, and basket on the table.  Then I get the pattern and fabric for the next project and pull out the notions and so forth.  Yea, I have to be that organized as I live in a NYC apartment . . . you get the picture.  

Though, as I went through and refined my list, again this week, I noticed that while I am good with fabric I do need to pick up pants hooks (in the worst way, I have NONE), and I am jonesing for the Blue Ginger Doll Blouse pattern and the Sloppy Josephine pattern.  

I have some brownish vintage silk that would look lovely here, and I think that blouse would do my shape wonders.  

That just looks so damned comfy.  And yes, I totally have some bamboo knit that would look gorgeous with that drape.  

So, two patterns are on the wish list.  I think those will be on the November purchase list, as I could certainly make them now but . . .budgets people.  Even though I sew my clothes I still have a budget.  

On that note, I leave you with glimpses of things I finished and wore this week, and perhaps ponders for what you are making this fall . . . even if you aren't making goods, perhaps you are embracing the season.  Summer might be over, on this half of the world, but fall brings knee high boots, sweaters and sandals, pumpkin, and bright colors of orange and yellow.  Embrace and enjoy.  

A beinet in brown cord.