Focusing on one project at a time is not my strong suit. I love working on one project, then starting another, then another, and another. One reason why I have multiple projects in the works is because I don't like doing things like buttonholes, buttons, hems, bias binding. Things that usually occur near the end of the project. Things that complete a project.
Another reason is that I like the variety of working on multiple projects. It might seem like I'm unfocused (I admit that I can be), but really it's just that my sewing life mimics my working life.
Especially at my last job, it wasn't unusual for me to work on multiple projects every week. One time a colleague mentioned he had only charged his time to four projects in his 5+ years of working for the company. Another colleague and I were shocked; we routinely charged our time to more than four projects in a single week. Juggling multiple projects is not something I was just forced to do, but I also loved doing it. In fact I hated working on a single project day in day out, every single week, month, year. It would get boring, dull, monotonous. Being bored at work is the absolute worst.
To avoid becoming bored with sewing I tend to jump from project to project. 'Ahhh, shiny new pattern/fabric/technique!'. I eventually finish projects, but it's not unusual for them to sit on my ironing board or in the closet for some time waiting for the final details. It's usually only when I *need* to finish a garment that it gets completed in record time.
The photos here are the ones I'm currently working on. The cat sleeveless shirtdress (McCalls 6696) may get finished first because I'm really excited to wear it. It just needs buttonholes, buttons, the hem, and sleeve binding. It may also require a narrow shoulder adjustment, but that decision will be made once I can "wear" the dress all buttoned up and get a feel for it.
The vest (Simplicity 4762) is for my husband and is awaiting buttonholes and buttons. It also needs another good press; unfortunately I didn't understitch it and the fabric isn't pressing as well as I would like.
I started the Colette Moneta (the striped side) months ago, but had to wait until I found the right "lining" fabric to make it reversible. Just this week I sewed the black side. Both knits are very stretchy so I'm letting the dress hang for a couple days to ensure the hem will be even for both fabrics.
And then there's the vintage reproduction blouse (Simplicity 2154). I started this blouse at the beginning of the year, but it's sitting on the sidelines because I'm actually stumped with what to do with it. I finally scraped off most of the interfacing from the bow, but I still don't like the bow because it's enormous. And I don't like the collar pieces that are in the pattern. And I don't like the blouse as it currently sits. The keyhole looks odd without something tied around it. I may cut it open at the neckline and make a slight v-neck on the front. I really like the fabric so I don't want to toss this blouse into the failure pile just yet.
I anticipate more works in progress will join these guys because I recently bought more patterns and I'm dying to make this Simplicity 2145 pattern. I initially thought it was made for knits, but when I got home and read the back of the envelope I discovered the pattern is actually made for wovens. I think it would look great in a stable-ish knit, so hopefully I can make it work.
What's in your 'work in progress' pile?
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