Post-fundraising drabble #5

She'll pull us both out, and lay us next to each other, and we think "Is this it? Are we going to be made?" We try to look tractable, reasonable, pretty. We try to look as if we'll get along. It's harder on the poor fabric than it is on me—if I get made once and it turns out badly, there's always a chance she'll blame the fabric, or fiddle with the fit, and try again. But once a piece of fabric is cut, there's no second chance. They're hardly ever recut into something else, at least in this house.

[Thanks to Jen at MOMSPatterns for the image ... and she's having a HUGE clearance sale to clear out some patterns before the end of the year! The sale is EXCLUSIVELY for her mailing list and people who read this blog and will last just one week, so hurry on over and grab yourself her best ones! Use coupon code 'merry25' and you'll save 25% off of any sized order! The sale will start the moment you read this and end at the stroke of midnight EST on New Year's DAY.]

Let's see, what else? Oh, THE WIKI IS OVER 3000! I won't give out the prizes until January, though, so keep on loading ... you guys rock.

I'll dole out the red-dress prizes after New Year's, too ...

And I had (completely unrelated to dresses) a piece in the Boston Globe yesterday, all about Christmas superstitions. I hope you and yours who celebrate have a lovely day (and that those who don't celebrate Christmas have a nice quiet day to do with as they please)!

If you have a sewing resolution for the next year, why not leave it in the comments? And then maybe next week sometime I will do a big roundup post about them. Mine is "Take the time to do things right the first time." We'll see how that works. See you all in 2008 ...

Comments

[MrsOliveMartini]

Sewing resolution: Make something on the machine that I've had for a year now and never learned how to use. As a bonus make something wearable.

[Chicago Sarah]

Resolution: do not sew past 1am. Errors tend to happen more quickly then.

[Helen]

The pattern du jour inspired this resoltuion: sew with pink gingham.

[Zoltar Panaflex]

My sewing resolution is to actually break out this particular Issey Miyake overcoat pattern and actually make it.How scary can it be?

[Anonymous]

My sewing resolution is to remember that I make lots of mistakes after about 7 p.m. and act accordingly.Mary Fran

[marcia in austin]

Get the cover of my squishable dress form fitted, so I can use it, already.

[Anonymous]

My resolution is to finish some of the "almost there" projects hanging up in my sewing room before tackling yet another new one.Erin, have you thought about a drabble on a paper tape dress form like this one?http://suesam.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/making-a-dress-form.jpgThey've been around a long time, there must be a few pining away in dark attics, wondering when they'll feel the touch of fabric again, unaware that their owners bodies have long since changed....Rhoda in Calgary

[prairieknitter01]

Resolution: learn how to make lined wool skirts. Linings: it's a scary world out there.

[BJ]

Oh, poor pattern! I feel so bad for them. I have a few patterns like that, although it's more fabrics for me: I buy lovely fabric without a plan, and then I can't find a suitable pattern, and so it languishes in my box.I have two sewing resolutions for the new year. The first is, complete the SWAP challenge (I need a new teaching wardrobe anywy!). The second is, finish baby quilts *before* their recepients arrive. Usually the babies get their quilts a good six months after they make their debuts.

[paisleyapron]

Resolution:Actually make a dress from a vintage pattern. You're such an inspiration, Erin!

[Saint Pud]

My resolution is to find at least three decent shirt patterns and MAKE THEM FIT. That means muslins, muslins, muslins. I curse upon the too-low armhole!By the way, today's pattern looks very much like Vintage Vogue #2962, which I was admiring just yesterday.(Confidential to Ms. Panaflex: The only thing keeping me from making the Miyake coat pattern I have is its five+ yard requirement. Someday, someday.)

[Toby Wollin]

I have two resolutions:1) Be Brave. Too many times, I have passed up an opportunity to make something because I've been afraid that my skills are not up to the task. I have a piece of lovely reddish brown basketweave wool for a coat and a vintage Butterick swing jacket pattern to make it with. (take deep breath).2) Find a class...someplace...on how to use a dress form to sew with. I got one as a gift this year and feel that it will only pay its way in terms of improving my sewing is I actually know how to use it correctly. If anyone knows of a class(either in person or online) in terms of this, I'd sure like to hear about it.

[Theresa]

I am with tobywollin - be brave! Maybe I will venture into stipes of gasp (plaid.) I also need to resolve to not sew past 9 p.m. (on weeknights) per errors happening.I resolve to sew 30 minutes a day.

[Miss Kitty]

My sewing resolution: to finally learn how to sew, just so my poor mom isn't stuck with making all the retro 1950s dresses I request. Mom needs a break!

[golden star]

Hi Erin,I've been lurking here and haven't had the good manners to greet you correctly! Love the banter and spirit here.My resolution is to keep on sewing and to welcome it back it in my life (after a good 20 year break).aloha,nalanifrom webgrrls

[Charles]

Sewing Resolutions-- To make a few projects in fabrics other than the "safe" cottons and wovens I've used in the past. Silk has to feature in at least one finished item.-- To try tailoring one good, well-fitting man's shirt.

[tea]

Sewing resolutions:1. Sew from the stash before buying new fabric. That means I may not be able to buy any new fabric for all of 2008 and maybe into 2012. But I absolutely *must* deplete the stash before adding onto it.2. Fix the serger or replace it.3. Make one of those wonderful paper tape dress forms so it actually reflects my real body instead of the disproportionate factory dressform.4. Ditto on the "no sewing past ___" (midnight). Or at least learn to pack it in when the seam ripper and the sewing machine are employed at a 1 to 1 ratio.

[LadyT]

My resolution: work on a garment for myself at least 1 hour each week. I find lots of time to sew but not lots of time to sew for -myself-, and therefore the projects are just piling up into an unhealthy tower. And then I could actually dress the way I want instead of spending too much money on crappy dept store stuff that isn't what I -really- want.

[Cath]

I was looking for dresses when I found your site. Really cute! I love the way you give the dresses a voice!

[MadeByAmanda]

Regarding the Christmas superstition about predicting the weather with onions: there is a guy around here (Texas Panhandle) that swears by that. There was an article in the Amarillo paper about it. He puts each piece of onion in a separate cup in a muffin pan.

[john in nc]

do you know about reprodepot.com ?they have some of your type fab there.

[Libby]

Greetings all.I'm resolving to finish my novel, get it published and make enough money to quit my day job (as a knitting and sewing teacher) so I can sequester myself in my studio and get seriously creative again.Encouragement to those planning to challenge themselves more: Go for it! You probably have all the skills you need.Unsolicited advice: Go slow and...1.Take the time to use your patten markings...they're wonderfully helpful.2.Don't invest all that time into something that doesn't fit. Inaccurate *vertical* measurements (shoulder to bust-point and bust-point to waist) are often the culprit of mysteriously ill-fitting garments. They are easy to adjust and can make a huge difference in the fit. and...3. Approach pressing as a meditation. A garment well pressed during construction will look like a well crafted masterpiece instead of a home-made piece of crap....'nuf said.Happy New Year!

[Jeannie]

My resolution is to do something---even two minutes worth--- of clearing/organizing in the studio everyday. Sometimes all I need do for inspiration is climb up to the 3rd floor and start. It is making those first few steps. The noise when my sewing machine turns on releases me physically. I can actually feel my shoulders relax! And please, don't force yourself to use old fabric first! Buy something new and use it right away. You wouldn't buy new groceries and come home and use all the old lettuce first, would you? Enjoy the new and the fresh!

[Melanie]

bj said The second is, finish baby quilts *before* their recepients arrive. Usually the babies get their quilts a good six months after they make their debuts.don't worry, bj. I have a superstition that prevents me from giving baby presents until the little one is safe at home from the hospital. I give myself a one-month window. I resolve to not get too bent out of shape when I make a mistake and not point out all errors to anyone while wearing one of the "bad" garments.

[nomm is ...]

Hope everyone had a happy holidays!I'm so glad, I've stuck to my last new year's resolution for decades: No new years resolutions - ever - again.Otherwise I'd be bound to resolve on finally starting two projects, one for my mother, the other for a friend. The material for both has been lurking in my sewing space for years.Erin, the pattern drabble is great!prairieknitter01, find a pattern without a slit and you'll be fine. Skirts are the easiest to line.