time for sewing?

LizD_2

Just wondering how any of you who work full time and sew find time to fit the sewing in?

I've got about 8 garments on the go, just never seem to be in the mood for sewing. Any advice?

linzibean

Over the past year I've been a full time student, had a job and sewed garments for my online store. I can sympathise with the lack of time, and sometimes lack of entusiasm!! I tend to set aside my sunday afternoons either while the sunday lunch is cooking or the grand prix is on I often find myself too tired midweek, though when it gets to the halloween / christmas season I will have to work a couple of hours each evening and half a day each sat/sun. Oh the joys

I'm currently not getting around to sewing a dress for my OH's and my graduation on THursday

SusanCarter

Perhaps weekends would be a good time? I know the problem as I ended up leaving my wedding dress till the last two weeks before the wedding as I was just too busy with teacher training. Another factor is having the floor space to spread things out and leave them. While I was on the course, it just wasn't practical to leave bits of material spread out everywhere and it was so much work getting it out and putting it away.

frugalfairy_3

When I get into a sewing slump, I pick a pattern that I've made before and which I know fits without any more alterations, and some nice easy fabric, like cotton or linen that behaves itself to whip up something new as quickly as possible. This usually gives me a lift and starts me planning my next batch of clothes (I make 99% of all my clothes).

If you break down the project into small blocks of time i.e.10 minutes to press the pattern pieces, then 10 minutes to mark the notches etc you'll be surprised how much you achieve (especially all the boring bits like tacking) in a fairly short time. A bit like Flylady I suppose, if you set your timer for 15 minutes a night, or whenever, you'll soon get something tangible done and maybe your sewing muse will come back and sit on your shoulder again.

Must admit I usually try and spend either Saturday or Sunday afternoons to sew, but then I'm lucky, I have grown up children and an OH who spends all his time on the computer.


HTH
FF

frugglewump

Cutting & pinning I do in the evenings - sewing itself is a sunday afternoon thing. Mind you I don't have kids so I probably have more time at the weekends than most.

LizD_2

thanks for your replies yesterday, I actually sat down and did some sewing last night!

frugalfairy_3

LizD wrote:

thanks for your replies yesterday, I actually sat down and did some sewing last night!

Brilliant, well done!
FF

SusanCarter

LizD wrote:

thanks for your replies yesterday, I actually sat down and did some sewing last night!

Well done. :T

I ought to do some as I have both a bag and a patchwork quilt on the go (plus loads of patterns and material I haven't started on). I just need a sewing machine (I borrowed one for my wedding dress) as handsewing takes so long so any suggestions on the best way to get hold of a cheap one would be welcome.

LizD_2

have you tried freecycle?
There's usually second-hand ones advertised in Sewing World and local papers.

KatrinaC_2

SusanCarter wrote:

Well done. :T

I ought to do some as I have both a bag and a patchwork quilt on the go (plus loads of patterns and material I haven't started on). I just need a sewing machine (I borrowed one for my wedding dress) as handsewing takes so long so any suggestions on the best way to get hold of a cheap one would be welcome.

I went to my local sewing machine shop and asked whether they had any re-conditioned ones. The machine I bought is probably the same age as I am and a bit knocked about the edges, but it cost £30 and the repairman admitted that it was far better made than any of the new ones in the shop and likely to outlast anything new he had on the shelves.

Kat

Mariel

frugalfairy - that's a really good idea about making something you know is going to turn out ok. When I go into a slump I don't have the confidence, I think I can't sew anything decent. I've been on a roll this week though and made lots of lovely new things. It is so much more satisfying than buying clothes isn't it? Quicker too if you factor in the time it takes to trawl the shops.