Thursday 8 September 2011

Still hanging on to summer ....

The weather has turned blustery, the days are getting shorter. The blogosphere is buzzing with plans for fall sewing. And what am I doing? I am looking at my large pile of summer fabrics.

Did I really buy all this fabric?

Where is that sassy sundress I was going to make? What happened to the cute shorts? Why haven't I made those luxurious loose linen pants I decided on? How come I never made ..... oh, never mind. So many patterns, so much fabric, too little time!

As I am not quite ready to plunge straight into winter wools I am working on what I am calling a transitional piece. Here's a sneak peak

Eugenia goes vintage!

I am feeling pretty excited about this one. The pattern is dated 1952, the buttons are also vintage and the fabric is a Liberty of London pure silk (purchased in the sale but still at great expense!)

Although it could very obviously be worn as a 'summer frock' (and I am still hoping for an Indian summer), I think that the subdued colours will allow me to wear it as a fall outfit paired with my black boots and a little cardi.

What about you? Did you actually get to make all the wonderful garments you planned for the summer? Are you sitting there feeling, dare I say it, rather smug as you move on to the new season. Or, like me, are you sadly staring at a huge pile of unsewn fabrics and wistfully thinking of all the clothes you should now have hanging in your wardrobe? I’d love to know …..

36 comments:

  1. ahahahah Eugene, I am with you on this, have got a huge pile of summer fabric but the good news is that most if them can easily be transitioned to fall. I just hope I have enought time to sew this fall. I haven't been to my sewing room in almost two weeks . BTW I love your fabric collection

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  2. I DID make a lot of the summer styles planned in February. I did NOT get anything sewn-ahead for autumn or winter. It's difficult, isn't it, to sew for a season that you're not living in at the moment? And, sadly for her, my daughter worked to lose 50 pounds before I could finish the dresses we cut out for me to sew. (I'm thinking some creative pleating may be in store for me this month. And elastic -- lots and lots of elastic.)

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  3. Oh yes, I wish summer would never end. Much happier sewing and wearing summer clothes. That vintage style is very exciting, can't wait to see it.

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  4. I was with you when you bought that fabric at the bottom of the pile! I have every confidence it will become a beautiful dress one day.

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  5. I hide my fabric stash in big plastic containers in the garage. I have no stash stress since there's lots of room out there, plus it can't mock me from inside a container.

    Maybe you use a soft drapey fabric slated for a summer item for a pretty long sleeved blouse with bow neck (aka naughty librarian)? Or make a tunic you could wear over pants for fall and a Miami coverup in summer? Just because you bought it for one reason doesn't mean it can't become something else ;-) You're so creative, you'll come up with something!

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  6. Actually, this was the summer I sewed through most of my spring and summer fabric stash. I feel good about depleting it and not spending more money on fabric. So I'm entering the fall sewing phase in a good mindframe...

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  7. Sigh, I never got around to a load of projects either. I wonder if I will still want to make them next year or if my interests will have moved on. I suspect it will be the latter, lol! At least the fabrics may be suitable for whatever styles take my fancy next summer.

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  8. If only I had more time. My sewing was side tracked and I only made two of my planned spring/summer outfits. How pathetic of me!

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  9. Oh I just love all the bright colors of your summer stash! Start planning for next year now!

    I stayed focused on the three garments that I most wanted to sew this summer. They are all unique and real statement pieces. So, even though I didn't sew a lot of things, I feel like I accomplished what I wanted. And now I'm involved in a big project (an occasion dress) that will take until the end of the month. Then it will be on to cool weather sewing.

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  10. Ha! No, I never seem to get through with my planned projects. Even last year when I sewed winter stuff during the summer I still had a ton left over. It's all these darn kids I have - if there were fewer of them I would get so much more done. :)

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  11. I buy fabric quicker than I can possibly sew with two young boys...I haven't sewn anywhere near what I envisioned this Summer ( there is always next year ;-) ) I love your Liberty Silk your dress looks like it will be another knock out.

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  12. I know exactly how you feel. I am still wanting to make summer dresses, but I know I need to start work on Fall. I have more fabric and patterns than I will ever sew, but I just keep buying more. I wish I could clone myself and work on two projects at once-HA!

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  13. What a gorgeous pile of fabric - just as well summer will return next year!
    I am always over-ambitious in the amount of sewing I plan to do, and have just finished a winter item even though it is now spring!
    It is quite nice to ponder over fabric for a few months anyway - sometimes I think of something even better to make than I originally intended!

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  14. Hey Eugenia!

    I barely touched my summer sewing = ), so this summer was a bust! But I am not going for quantity this year, but quality, so I don't really feel bad about it.

    I'm excited to see the vintage Eugenia, though! I imagine you'll be fit to meet the queen ; )

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  15. Maybe you could make a light tropical wool jacket at some point or even a linen one to make it even more tranitional. It's so pretty. I didn't plan much this summer, unsure of the kid's schedules. But I am feeling Fall.

    You and your husband could always go someplace warm to celebrate the dress.

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  16. I have got four pieces of fabric left, but I live in warmer climes so I still have time..... I always sew right up to the end of the season. That way, next year I have some barely worn things to keep me happy while I get going. This year I was much better about NOT running out and buying more fabric according to my "inspiration" and I have got better at estimating how much I will sew in a given period of time. That has made me feel much better in a way I cannot explain. But blouses and shirts go all the way through the year anyway so your small stash is ok. here the fabric shops bring the season's stock in oddly late so I am glad that I have two pieces of jersey and two pieces of wool to start the next season. (mmm maybe I should buy a bit of a stash for next spring....)

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  17. Your fabric looks beautiful - I love seeing others fabric stashes . I never get through my pile - I am currently sewing a tunic I have wanted to do for 2 years . And I don`t look forward to Australian summers - they mean snakes and I worry about my dog and possible bush fires ( I live in the country ) and sometimes 40+ temps ( yuk) .

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  18. I'm in your boat! Still lots of summer sewing to do but I might just keep on sewing into the winter!!!

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  19. Eugenia, I'd love to have some of your fabrics! I'm still sewing up everything I buy (nope I definitely don't have a smug look!!) my problem is the opposite...I never can have a nice stash like everyone else!! I could sure use a great looking stash of fabric like yours now whole trying to complete my vacation wardrobe!

    With such a stash as yours, how do you remember where you purchased any of them? Especially if you purchased a year or more ago!

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  20. I'm right there with you! You've got some lovely looking fabrics in that pile! I have a long list of summery projects that haven't magically materialized. Le sigh. Except, I suddenly seem on a summer kick. Silly me. But, hey: maybe you'll be whisked away for a tropical vacation and need a host of new summery outfits! I absolutely ADORE your vintage outfit. That Liberty print is yummy, and I think you're right--it will be a perfect transitional piece when paired with black boots and a cardy.

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  21. Beautiful vintage style. I will be anxiously waiting to see how it turns out in that gorgeous fabric!

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  22. I accumulated more fabric this summer than ever (and I swore I wouldn't buy anymore until I sewed through some of the stash!) The sad thing is, I have summers off! I didn't even put a dent in the list of things I wanted to make. So many ideas and not enough time. Can't wait to see your dress.

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  23. Eugenia! I can't wait to see your Liberty silk dress! Fantastic, and very transitional. Yes, I skipped the rest of my summer sewing (shorts, knit tops, etc.) for fall items (skirts, jeans). My next venture are some serious plaids at some point this fall.

    I love your summer fabric - just think in the late dreary London winter - you'll be sewing up some summery goodness waiting for Spring to pop!

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  24. The Liberty print is very beautiful and I'm sure that you will do it justice. I've just done a similar stocktake on my winter fabrics. Hopefully will work my way through it next winter.

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  25. Hehe, well since we are heading towards summer in my part of the world I am finding your delicious pile of summery fabrics very inspiring, very inspiring indeed! The autumnal transition piece looks like it is going to be just beautiful! Gorgeous colourway, and a wonderfully chic style.

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  26. That silk looks devine - I think it'll work beautifully for fall. I'm heading into summer so I'm just thinking about all the summer things I want to make - I feel like I need to really refresh and extend my wardrobe. No doubt I won't finish half of the things I want to!

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  27. I can't wait to see your silk dress. The fabric must feel amazing! As for summer sewing...it will be summer for a long time here :)

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  28. I also can't wait to see your silk dress, the print is pretty and so is the dress pattern. Are you going to make the one with the tie?

    Summer fabric... yeah, I've been buying up a quite a bit since it has gone on sale, I'm putting it away for next summer.

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  29. I think your silk dress will make a beautiful transitional piece.

    I'm still in summer sewing mode too (I finished a winter skirt in May) and haven't given a thought to autumn/winter sewing yet = I've got loads of summer things I want to make!

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  30. Oh, my...I only wish I had used up that summer stash! I'm still clinging to a few last bits of summer sewing, though, as my projects for fall pile up higher and higher.

    I love the look of your new project...waiting, waiting, waiting for the actual dress to be revealed!

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  31. Ooh your stack of fabrics is eye candy - love it! Your vintage dress pattern also looks lovely and elegant, I wish you fun sewing with it.

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  32. Definitely staring sadly at the unsewn pile! Your fabrics are gorgeous, I could roll around those. I am working on transitional type pieces as well, that can be paired with sandals or with tights. Not ready to give up on summer altogether yet!

    Your vintage dress is going to be gorgeous!!!

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  33. Like you I'm staring at my pile of summer fabric and wondering what happened. Looking forward to seeing your vintage dress in that gorgeous silk.

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  34. That is AMAZING Liberty fabric!

    If we don't get that Indian summer you're wishing for, perhaps a little "winter sun" break should be in order? You wouldn't want to waste your lovely summer sewing!! :)

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  35. You look fabulous in that dress! The pattern is good but the fabric is gorgeous. Good blend of fabric and pattern, I think! Well done! And I agree with .x.Helen.x.'s comment above - a winter sun break is definitely in order to show it all off!!!

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  36. I guess a lot of us are in the same boat. I have a pile of summer fabric as well. I didn't sew half the garments that I planned to sew. So now, I trying to sew some transitional pieces to complement my wardrobe.

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