My friends, I have discovered a new sewing term: Theoretical Clothes. You may wonder what it means. Well, my friends, that is my new name for my stash.
Bed stash aka Jack's toddler bed
Closet Stash
You see, in theory, these pieces of fabric can be made into clothes that I or the recipient can wear. Ergo theoretical clothes.
The last week or so, I have been thinking about all the things I want/need to make by Christmas. Here’s my list:
- Knit Jack’s mittens
- Knit Jack’s annual sweater (maybe)
- 6 lined tote bags for gifts
- Finish my fall coat
- 5 kids pj’s for Christmas gifts
- Find, fit and make TNT pants and jacket for a suit
Considering how long it takes to fit a pattern, how long it takes to tailor a coat or a jacket, and generally how slow of a sewist I am, I feel a slight desperation about my ability to accomplish all that I want to do. I know my theoretical clothes (aka stash) is small compared to others, but it is still way too much for what I can actually make in the time that I have to sew. And that depresses me a little.
My day job is getting in the way of my sewing.
*big sigh*
Anyhoo, just wanted to share my new sewing term with you. I didn’t get to work on my coat last night as my mom is visiting. I hope I will have some sewing time this weekend, but I am not sure it will happen.
My toast to you all: May you have lots of sewing time!
P.S. I accidentally bought some more fabric from the Fabricmartfabrics.com sale and I received an email from Elliott Berman about their amazing sale. I’m doomed!
Sew A Beginner 
Online shopping is good but it’s terrible if you sign up for updates of sales …. lol
It’s almost impossible to resist. I know how you feel.
Don’t worry if you feel you are slow sewing, just wait a few months and you’ll find you will be doing things easily that you previously thought hard. It’s while you are learning new stuff and putting it into practice that it feels slow. I don’t know how to get you extra sewing time ;). I have a cupboard full of Theoretical Clothes too!!
This is a great term (big grin). It’s much more positive than stash. It doesn’t imply that fabric is being wasted, but instead the boundless possibilities of more clothes.
I know the feeling…except I also have a theoretical sweater stash! Now that I will be taking the train every day for half hour each way I should be able to work on that. I haven’t been sewing as quickly now that I’m working with wovens and trying to do things right with them. I’ve learned that there are really no shortcuts with those, unlike knits. BTW, I fixed the invisible zipper on my suit skirt and sewed in the lining last night. Now just to do the hems. I decided to keep the Viking as I found that one of my extra presser feet I bought (a regular zipper foot, but a longer, skinnier one that allows you to get super close to the teeth) works PERFECTLY for invisible zippers. So I’m glad I didn’t break up with that machine now.
Sigh. Yeah. I too bought (this morning) from the FarbicMart sale. And, I have more theoretical clothes than I care to cop to. In fact, I just borrowed a dress to wear to a wedding next week because I know I don’t have tim to get it done.
I like this term! My regular life is interfering with my sewing, too /sigh
You are so right. I have a huge theoretical wardrobe! If only they were on hangers. Sigh…my day job is getting in the way of my sewing too. No sewing today…just work. I’m sewing vicariously through reading blogs and patterns.
I would have a killer wardrobe if my little elves would come visit at night and sew all my theoretical clothes…or at least do the fitting adjustments on the patterns… Taking a sloper class tomorrow at G Street, am hoping that will help with my fitting problems…
How true & how funny. It reminds me of something I read somewhere in my blog-surfing. Someone referred to fabric as
“clothing (some assembly required)”
I feel your pain on the lack of time thing. Can I just say I am blown away at how much you DO finish and how fast you HAVE developed considerable skills.
And you do it with a small child. I confess I was not wise enough to make my own creative pursuits a priority at that time in my life. You are wise in your choices – never forget that!
Theoretical clothes sounds much nicer than stash! When I look at my fabrics, I see the finished garment I am planning anyway, so it really makes sense!
You have a fine wardrobe of theoretical clothes!
Great sewing term! I have lots of theoretical clothes too. They look pretty enough on their little piles in the cabinet, but I am sure they would look even better on a body. At least it would feel more satisfying. Life gets in the way of sewing here all the time too. I keep telling myself that there will come a time when I have plenty of time to sew, but will look back at these days with a smile on my face, wishing sometimes I could go back for a little while, because it has it’s charms in so many ways. But still. It can get annoying sometimes 🙂
Ha – I love that!
Since I have the day off from my day job, I bought a theoretical top and handbag. 😉
Pingback: My Turquoise Stash and Theoretical Clothes | Sisters Are Making It For Themselves
Pingback: Theoretical Sewing | Tanit-Isis Sews