You arrive at a great end result but ponder at where it all began. No philosophical answers are needed since I'm only being facetious (smile). Well over the years I've noticed a pattern at which I usually arrive at a sewn garment. Majority of the time I manage to find the fabric first and then end up finding the pattern. Finding fabric for me is more of an instinctive sort of thing. I always usually trust my instincts and I have to admit they're pretty good and at times a little daring. This may make it a little difficult sometimes to find an appropriate pattern. But I usually do in the end and the result is usually a great finished garment. I don't know what it is really, but fabric really inspires me and get my creative juices to flowing.
For example I picked this fabric up the other day and just fell in love with it. It's actually the fabric for my Easter dress and the sash for my daughter's dress (we have to match a little).
So tell me, what's your method of ending up with a beautifully sewn garment. Do you usually find the fabric first or do you like to find the pattern and then shop for fabric????
Pattern first. I'll find fabric I love, but it's generally to pattern that inspires me. I love your fabric. Can't wait to see the dress.
ReplyDeleteI usually start with fabric as well. I'll find a beautiful piece and think it wants to be pants, a dress, whatever, and buy enough for that thing, then hunt through my patterns and magazines to decide which one is just right. It occasionally works the other way, but not often. I LOVE fabric.
ReplyDeleteIt should be the pattern 1st, but it is the fabric. When I see a fabric I like, I buy as much as I can afford. Then I decide later what it will become. Unlike most people, I usually sew by eye. So its unlikely that I will have a pattern in my hand that I'm using. But you never know.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to do it the other way around. then I would know exactly how much to buy. I often buy to much.
Peace
Both. Sometimes the fabric comes first which often marinates for weeks or even years. Patterns are the same way. I just love the entire process.
ReplyDeleteMost of the time it's the fabric first. Occasionally the pattern first. When I see a fabric usually I know what I want to make of it.
ReplyDeleteIt works both ways for me, but I have a big stash and sometimes it takes awhile for the fabric to decide what it should be. Sometimes it takes a new pattern or BurdaStyle magazine to jumpstart the process.
ReplyDeleteThe fabric comes first for me. However, it gets a little tricky in the amount of yardage to buy since I have no pattern in mind for the fabric.
ReplyDeleteThe most effective and efficient way for me is pattern first. That way, I purchase my fabric wisely. In reality though, I often buy pattern and fabric without thinking ahead how to pair the two so I end up with orphaned pattern and fabric. So, for now, I am planning to use up my stash and then will never buy a fabric on impulse anymore. To be economically efficient, I will purchase fabric online when I have 3 - 4 projects line up.
ReplyDeleteVictoria, for me inspiration can come from anywhere - sometimes it's the pattern and sometimes it's the fabric - whichever is speaking to me at the moment...
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your blog. I have nominated you for a new award which you can pick up from my blog (if you have time).
It's a bit topsy-turvey with me. Sometimes it's finding a pattern for the fabric. Othertimes it is fabric for pattern. Either way, we always try to make it work. You seem to be a pro at it!
ReplyDeleteI would say it's fabric. I have a huge stash. I buy fabric because I fall in love with, I want, I need it. The fabric usually tell me what it wants to be, so I have a general idea on how much fabric I need to buy. I buy patterns the same way. WIth Joann's pattern sales, I just buy all the patterns that interest me a little. I know that I'll never use all my patterns but for 1.00 to 3.99 for Vogue, a girl can't help it.
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm new to your blog and just love your creativity. I'm also pretty new to sewing- so I have a question to throw into the mix... I found the fabric, then found a great pattern, but oh, my, what shoes will I wear with the fab new dress?! How do shoes factor into your choices?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Paige in TX
Thanks Guys for chiming in. It's always refreshing to get your perspective on things:)
ReplyDeletePaige, thanks for visiting my page:) I'm a shoe collector so some way or another they're always factored into my garment ideas. I have enough shoes that I usually can find one to pair up with a new garment. But there have been times where I've bought a fabulous pair of shoes and I've created a garment around it! You brought up a good point about shoes. They're definitely play a part in the process one way or another:)
Hey, this is a great question. For me it's either/or. Most of the time, I see a luscious piece of fabric that I just have to have, and then I'll match a pattern with it later. But sometimes if I have a pattern in mind, I will hunt in stores and all over the web for the *right* fabric.
ReplyDelete