No, I don’t mean I am the hog. If that were the question, the answer would be NO, I am an utterly hopeless fabric hog. Earlier today, I found myself on Queen and Spadina, so I went in to L.A. Boutique Fabrics, where the white polka dot microfibre that I fondled so tenderly on February 23rd was still there… It was meant to be, so 3 yards of it made it’s way into my bag. On the way out, I noticed this fun black and white knit, and then I touched it… I negotiated with Dennis, who remembered the Toronto bloggers from that Saturday 10 days ago… And I left the store with almost 2 yards of that too (the rayon knit, not Dennis!) Both fabrics feel so delicious and luxurious, they drape so beautifully, and oh, I’m so speechless… I hardly ever wear patterns, I’ve always been afraid of buying clothes which were not versatile. But now? I can do whatever I want!
What I really meant to ask is this: is there any hope for Butterick B5785, which is such a fabric hog that it’s truly mind-boggling? I was making view B (3/4 sleeve, shirt, not a tunic!), and the envelope called for 4 and a quarter yards! I had 4 meters, cut out most of the pieces, determined that I have enough for a sash if I modify it slightly, and then the adventure started. That was Sunday. Today, Tuesday, I have given up! I have to say it’s quite an idiotic pattern. The way those darts sit right by the stand-up collar, makes it extremely hard to work out the neckline at the back. I must have unpicked the stitches about 5 times. I had to fiddle around with the collar, which felt very restrictive and almost claustrophobic. I got it so stretched out that even staystitching on the neckline did not help keep it together. It was soooooooo frustrating. I played around with the placement of the darts, which helped a bit, but it was too late. Not even mentioning that the arm scythes looked totally whack, and I had so enough of it already! Look!
See, all that awful bulging around the neck? I am quite sure this kind of neckline would look nice on somebody with a slender, long neck, but that does not apply here… I was a bit sad, because I still liked that pattern. I think that it is pretty and feminine, and the rounded bottom pieces are so nice… But sometimes you have to know when to say when. Sewing is supposed to be fun, but when it becomes such a pain in the neck, time to turn a fresh leaf to a different pattern and be grateful for a great learning experience (which it was), and for busting 4 meters from the stash! Yey me! And when I let go of the fixation on the neck/collar situation, it came to me that that pattern would look very nice in a knit! I am so excited to try it!
And now, I introduce THE IKEA FABRIC DARE. Catja from gjeometry admitted that she had fabric from Ikea that was untouched, so I issued her a dare to make something wearable out of it. She accepted. She challenged me back to make something from the same fabric, but a different pattern. Deadline is March 31st, the day before my birthday. Vicky, anothersewingscientist, also mentioned about having Ikea fabric, so Catja and I agree that Vicky should be included in the challenge. Vicky, do you read? Do you accept? Not putting you on the spot or anything… Anybody else wants in? You know you want to!
And lastly, here’s me in my January me-made cardi. Since I mostly whined about love of fabric and agonized about unfinished business, here’s something that is done, just like this post.
fitnottofit 
Oooh, I love both of those black and white fabrics you picked up! Good thing they were still there! I like that they are more of an abstract polka dot and animal print rather than very geometric. And also like your cardigan, very spiffy!
Well, looks like I should get started on my skirt as it’s already March 5th!
So exciting, all of it! Good luck with the skirt, it will be beautiful!
Good on you for focusing on what is done in the end! It’s so easy to feel bad about everything that is not done in our busy days!
Yeah, knowing when to say when is an important sewing skill as well. So is not letting ourselves become upset by a project that didn’t turn out! (I have no problem at all with that…. ahem…) I see you’ve already onto your next project, and good on you for that!
Looking forward to seeing the end result!
Thanks Adrienne for your wise words, it was such a learning experience. I am determined to get this pattern done, but this time properly, with a muslin and all that. I will NOT get defeated by wovens!
Love both fabrics that you bought! Looking forward to seeing what you make with the Ikea fabric. I always look at the lovely fabrics in Ikea, just never bought any yet!