Following on from yesterday’s post “A creative funk”. This is part 2 of 3. I’m listing all my unfinished projects and figuring out what obstacles are getting in the way to help me get back on track. If you’ve not already read part one, you can read it here.
WIP 2 – is my Hinterland Dress. I’ve wanted to make one of these for years. I’ve admired so many of them on Instagram, and in the grand scheme of things it’s a straight forward sew. However I have PROCRASTINATED so much. I have a real metal block with sewing at the moment.
I think having listened to lots of sustainability podcasts recently, I’m viewing fabric as a much more precious commodity as usual (I’ve always been precious over it, but now even more so). My Hinterland toile is made of a very old bed sheet from my Grans attic which wasn’t in a great condition. I dyed in and cut around the holes. So I’m making good use of it, but still something is preventing me from finishing. I’m about 70% there!
I’ve made time to work on it and then just don’t feel like it. I also set myself deadlines and then just didn’t try and meet them. There’s always the worry when sewing garments (particularly in woven fabric) that once they’re finished they won’t fit or they simply don’t suit you. This always makes me procrastinate.
However I am going on holiday soon (maybe too soon). Though it would be nice to finish it to take with me, so hopefully that will spur me on, maybe even setting myself a small task at a time… pin pockets in place today…. Failing that, I am attending a jeans making workshop next weekend. Hopefully that’ll build my confidence again so I can tackle more sewing.
WIP 3 – Crochet cardigan. This was an idea I had rattling around my brain for sometime, to make a cardigan out of crochet hexagons. Then when I was looking through my yarn, I discovered I had some left over bamboo cotton in 3 colours that looked great together. Navy, teal & grey so I thought a summery cardigan would be great. I almost talked myself out of starting it several times. However I was enthused by the idea so decided to go with it (despite not being on my #MakeNine list and adding another WIP to the list). I initially made good progress and I was enjoying it, but then I stalled. I think in part it’s because I knew I wouldn’t get it complete for summer. Also having made the majority of the hexagons (the fun bit) sewing the hexagons together is fiddly. It also works best sat at a table, with it spread out. But I like to crochet/knit while sat in my lounge on the sofa and the coffee table is not the best height for that. Really it’s just a practicality and mentally preventing my progress here.
I can use my sewing table in my spare room. However my sewing my machine is set up with all the pieces of my hinterland dress waiting for me to finish it. If I clear that away that’s one more barrier to not completing WIP No.2. So this will just mean that I will have to do WIP 2 before 3, then I have the table space and I can just watch something using my laptop. Simple practical solution there (hopefully). I am totally ignoring the fact that I’m not using a pattern and I’m making it up as I go along (as an inexperienced crocheter)… I’ll cross any other bridges when I get to them. I’ve already resigned myself to the fact that it’ll be ready for spring/summer 2023!
WIP 4 – Ilha Sweater by Tête Bêche Designs. Well I started this over a year ago. We had a uniform at work, a casual uniform of a black top. So I decided to knit myself a black loose fitting 4ply jumper I could wear with lots of different things. We then scraped our uniform just after I started this project and we can wear what we like (excellent news for all my other knits). However I don’t think I would have knitted a black top otherwise. Undeterred I decided to persevere. I discovered after splitting for the sleeves, it was way too big for me (after adjusting for my different tension). So I ripped it out and started again. This time the fit looks alright, but the more I knit of it the less I can imagine wearing it. The lack of enthusiasm has definitely slowed my progress, also black yarn is not good to knit with in rubbish light. I have decided I will finish it, however I may end up giving it away when I do… time will tell. This is a relatively good mindless knitting project, now I’m on the body, though I’m already not looking forward to the sleeves…
Would you just let this reside in the WIP pile forever, persevere or rip it out and use/gift the yarn for something else?
Thanks for reading.
Steph Xx
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