One sewing secret (although I don’t think it is really that secret) that I like to do is to cut patterns out all at once. Once a week my husband has late meetings, so I usually use that time to cut patterns of things that I want to make that next week.
It’s the time of night that my kids are in bed, I can spread things out on the floor and make a huge mess while listening to a good movie. I usually spend 1-2 hours going to town pinning and cutting out every pattern that is in my work-in-progress pile.
It’s a time saver for me.
PS–The bottom dress is a vintage pattern from the 50’s that I am in love. It has an assymetrical bodice that is just.plain.awesom. It’s part of Hannie’s Spring Look Book that I am getting so close to being done! Two more items to go!!!
Any fun weekend plans?
~Elizabeth
I do this too! I feel like once I get into the “zone”, it is so much easier!
It’s such a time saver, isn’t it? I like to take all of my patterns and cut each paper piece down and iron them first. Then they get organized into envelopes for when I’m ready to cut the fabric. I usually only cut fabric one project at a time because I’m notorious for starting something and not finishing. Can’t wait to see this dress you’re working on. Love that color pink!
I do that too! Then you have ten projects to chose from.
That pink is my kind of pink – cant wait to see the finished project.
this is an amazing idea!!!! Cutting is the longest process often for me, I will cut something at night or during a nap, but I never thought of cutting a whole bunch at once – GENIUS!!!
Wow I hate cutting! It takes everything out of me to lay out and cut 1 garment so I am in envy of that! mabye I should try this because I usually drag my feet on starting a project because I hate cutting out patterns so much. Get all the bad stuff done on one day and then have a fun week of sewing yeahhhhhh.
Exactly the same at my house, too. Even listening too a good movie. I get upset when I have to make something the same day the pattern was cut. So inefficient. Lots of girl dresses need to be cut out before my girls grow out of those patterns. That’s what is up next.
So… I need to ask about another secret… after a long day of taking care of kids & home, with your husband working late, how in the WORLD do you find the energy to do ANYTHING once the kids are in bed?!? I’m so wiped out by the time my little one (yes, only ONE little one) is in bed, I can barely hold my head up to stare at the TV. Please share!
Laura,
My secret for that is NAPS!!! On the days when I do stay up later I take a nap when my two-year-old naps. (And I am mean and make my older kids have “resting time” in the summer too.) Sometimes I sew during resting time and then don’t stay up late, or vice versa, I nap during resting time (I love a good 30 minute nap) and then stay up late and cut out patterns.
Laura,
My secret for that is NAPS!!! On the days when I do stay up later I take a nap when my two-year-old naps. (And I am mean and make my older kids have “resting time” in the summer too.) Sometimes I sew during resting time and then don’t stay up late, or vice versa, I nap during resting time (I love a good 30 minute nap) and then stay up late and cut out patterns.
I love how organized you are. Finding all of my projects that need to be cut involves a scavenger hunt through multiple rooms!
So true! Except when I forget I’ve already cut out the pieces. 🙂
Just cutting out ONE pattern often takes me two hours… you must have some impressive scissor skills. =) Still, it is a good idea when you do have a large chunk of time.
That pink dress sounds like it is going to be really pretty… looking forward to seeing it. =)
I never have cut all at once. I change my mind to much! By the time I got to the next project, I’d decide I hate it. My favorite thing about sewing is choosing fabrics..but it takes me all day to decide sometimes!
That is a great idea! I have started tracing all my patterns onto freezer paper so it adds an extra step and makes me even less motivated to cut them out. If I used it as “me time”, I might be more motivated. 🙂
Laura,
I was thinking the same thing as I’m sitting here now with a few patterns cut up and my 20 month old twins in bed but I am too BEAT to sew anything! LOL!
I love to “pre-cut”, that way I don’t forget why I bought a particular cut of fabric or what I want to do with a vintage scrap. I did a dozen dresses the other day for my grand daughter and her new baby sibling (I hope it’s a girl or I’m gonna have a lot of coordinating newborn dresses!). All the tedious is done and I can spend the day sewing, sewing, sewing.
I love to do this as well. Mostly because I HATE to cut patterns so I prefer to do a bunch so then I can just sew for a couple weeks!
I do this too!! It’s the only way to deal with my girl’s short nap time. I can usually cut out patterns while she’s awake and eating her snack. Then during nap time I do the actual sewing. I have stacks of cut patterns that call to me, begging to be sewn 🙂