A Stitching Odyssey: Stash busting - things just got serious!

Friends, the only way forward for me in terms of Autumn/Winter stitching plans, is stash busting. I’ve complained before that my ridiculous accumulation of stitching ‘stuff’ is suffocating me and it’s still true. I walk into the spare room and I panic, not knowing what to look at or work on next. I’m embarrassed frankly, especially complaining that I have too much when a sickening amount of people in this world have so little.

So to maintain my sanity and some dignity I must bust that stash and I’m only allowing myself to purchase extra necessities like lining, interfacing, muslin material and the like. Traditionally I don’t ‘do’ plans, but I will fail without one and failure is not an option. Sorry to sound so dramatic, but reality has really hit home that I spend much faster than I can make. 

Anyway, here’s my broad vision for the following months – my approach is to take things nice and slowly, to enjoy the process and to produce quality results.

October will be dedicated to Colette's Anise sewalong - I'm both excited and scared to attempt my first ever jacket, but I'm hoping to achieve a Chanel-esque feel to it with my chosen fabric. It's been in my stash since the Minoru days and despite seeing some wonderful Minorus out there, I've finally accepted that the style just isn't me.

I've had a Macaron muslin cut out for weeks and I haven't sewn it up yet, so in the name of finishing what I start, a Macaron's in order. I received the beautiful teal cotton in a swap with Little Red Squirrel and I've had the seersucker in my stash since this hideous make back in 2010!

I keep saying I want to make more lovely dresses, so I must get round to making a Cambie or two. I'd like to make the A-line version in my heavier darker floral print and the gathered version in a beautiful cotton lawn that I won in one of Shivani's generous giveaways.

I struggle with skirts, it's no secret. Finding styles that suit my body shape is a real challenge, but I found my Vivat Veritas Scalloped Waist Skirt to be super flattering and I can't believe I haven't made more of them. I think this red gabardine I've had for over a year will be perfect for this project!

I have a fair amount of viscose and other drapey materials that would make pretty blouses. And as luck would have it, I've also amassed an incredible amount of pretty blouse patterns too!

I've decided cowl-neck Renfrews are not for me, but I love and wear my other three versions to death. So I happily snapped up this flamingo-print jersey to make another fun version, possibly with a V-neck and 3/4 length sleeves.

The make I'm most excited about will combine a vintage pattern with some vintage fabric. I have plenty of vintage fabric in my stash and I'm always too scared to use it, but this is far too pretty to be kept on a shelf. It would be amazing to have this done for the Christmas season, but I'm not going to rush this make as it's far too precious.

Oh, and of course there are also the three knitting projects I'm working on at the moment too. I'd love to get the chunky cardigan and double moss stitch scarf done first in time for the cold weather. Then I'll pick my 1940s jumper up in time for spring I think. 

So...erm...I think that's plenty to be getting on with, don't you? I'm sad that I'll probably have to sit out some of the many awesome sewalongs happening - like Karen's Apronalong, Gertie's Coat sewalong, Lauren's Thurlow sewalong and a Deer and Doe sewalong from paunnet - but I must stay strong! The beauty of sewalongs is that you can always visit them at a later date I guess.

Are any of you in a similar stash position, or are you far more sensible with your buying?