Thursday, March 27, 2014

Sewing update: McQueen Jacket

A horrible cold seems to be hindering my mojo at the moment. Plus, I haven't really had a weekend in three weeks thanks to travel and an avalanche of work. But I am still thinking about and working on my Alexander McQueen Jacket, at least in my head.

Right now, my grey leopard print version - which is destined to be a wearable muslin because of my poor fabric choice - still needs sleeves and has tailors tacks all over. My detailed instructions are still only half written, but mapped out.  




If it sounds like I am losing enthusiasm about the project, don't be alarmed. That's my cold speaking. I just don't do UFO's. And to that end, I've already bought more appropriate fabric for my next version - one of the few sewing "tasks" I could get done while not actually at home.



It's a black and gold Nicole Miller brocade that is 67% Viscose, 20% Silk, 13% Lurex from Fabric Mart.  At times like these - when there is just no time to sew, but sewing is on my mind - I find that I am very susceptible to the lures of on-line fabric sales. And this fabric does have a much better hand - much more crisp - than the leopard print. Fingers crossed.




What about you? What do you do to stay connected with sewing when there is just no time or your mojo is taking a sick day?

25 comments:

Clio said...

Glad to hear the project's still going! I hope you feel better soon and the mojo returns.

If I don't feel geared up to sew I try to do something like read about sewing, I find that can kickstart things. And cleaning the machine often works for me too.

Looking forward to the brocade jacket.

Clio said...

Oooo! that brocade looks exquisite! It reminds me somewhat of your 'diaper bag' fabric which I also loved. When sewing feels too much like work sometimes I just turn up the music and putter around in the sewing studio. There is always something to organize or clean, and pretty soon I find I'd rather be sewing!

Clio said...

I like the new fabric! Should be awesome.


When the mojo is sick I let it rest. Pushing things tend to produce sloppy results on my end. I will still read sewing blogs, flip through old Burda magazines, or read sewing books, but usually if I give it some down time it comes back with a vengeance before too long. Sometimes a new piece of fabric will get me back in the sewing room after a break. Also, if I am avoiding an arduous sewing task, spending time working on an easy project for myself can kick start things into high gear. Plus "easy project" usually means "knit top" which get worn a ton in my daily life, so I often get a workhorse garment as a result. Win-win!

Clio said...

I agree on forcing it - I always regret it later since I make mistakes ang get bad results.

Clio said...

Oh! Cleaning the machine is a good idea!

Clio said...

Wow. You are so right about the fabric. I should have bought enough to make myself a weekend bag out of it. Drat.

Clio said...

I switch to knitting when I lose my sewing drive. If I don't feel productive I go cuckoo. I love the new fabric. Makes me think of dragon embryos surrounded by flames!

Clio said...

I tend to feel tired after a big project like a coat or a complex dress, so I tidy up my sewing stuff. I actually enjoy organizing all my machine needles, thread, buttons, zippers, patterns, etc. It doesn't feel like I'm not sewing (to me), but the mistakes are much less serious. I also read sewing blogs when I don't feel like sewing. I never get tired of that!



Your fabric is gorgeous!

Clio said...

If the mojo is gone, then do something else for a while. I like to read--fiction, nonfiction and sewing blogs. Or try cooking. Stocking the freezer w/ leftovers will be really good for when your sewing mojo returns.

Clio said...

It struck me as kind of fire/dragon-like too.

Clio said...

get well soon so this baby can make it into London

Clio said...

ugh cold. if i have time to sew but no mojo...you're not gonna like this...i tape PDF patterns together.


no, wait , come back...

Clio said...

I do the same thing! I zone out in front of the TV and tape together patterns that I know I'll want to use down the road!

Clio said...

I sew something for someone else (my kid, a friend). I'm less emotionally invested in it so I don't overthink it, but it keeps the muscle memory up.

Clio said...

WOW! That is not at all what I would do. I find that my mojo needs to be on high to sew for others!

Clio said...

Rofl! You know me too well! Nothing kills my mojo like scotch tape and paper cuts. But at least it's something that is hard to mess up.

Clio said...

Yeah, Phin gets a little OCD on cleanliness whenever I am sick. I walked into the kitchen this morning to make myself some tea and he practically carried me back to the bedroom (aka quarantine) muttering something about contamination. I can still smell the lysol from his cleaning. But I've been enjoying some YA lit that my nephew asked me to read so we can talk about it (Percy Jackson - fun and easy reading).

Clio said...

Oh, I am WAY behind on my blog reading!

Clio said...

Yes! I totally want to wear my McQueen in London!

Clio said...

LOL. My DH has BS and PhD in chemistry. He's a slob everywhere .except. the kitchen. He's not quite OCD, but definitely brings good lab practices home. I just wish that extended to the rest of the house.

While you are sick, it's a good idea to wash everything you eat with in the dishwasher on hot and to use different bathrooms (or disinfect often). Iris and I had a creeping crud that lingered for 2 months. It's worth trying to spare Phin.

Clio said...

Yeah, that is SOP. I'm trying not to share my crudfest with him. So, he is sleeping down the hall. Every so often I text him my needs - tea, soup, oj...

Clio said...

Feel better, I was bit by the nasty flu bug and with that my sewing mojo took flight. While in a drug induced state, I played Russian roulette with my latest pattern purchases.

Clio said...

That's a brilliant way to put it - russian roulette. LOL

Clio said...

Ugh - the spring cold is the worst! Feel better soon - especially when it still feels like winter!

Clio said...

I really try to do at least 20 minutes sewing a day. Some days I do a lot more. Sewing is sanity after a hectic day and some alone time.