Stitcher's Guild Reloaded

CCL wrote:

QuoteI think I will always belong in the Slow Sewing SWAP category - which is just okydoky with me.

... most years, that is me as well. While most all of my sewing is sewn-with-a-plan, I have only occasionally managed to complete a SWAP in the allotted time frame. For me it is more important that my clothing please me, suit my style, and integrate with my already existing garments than that I make a certain number of clothes in a particular time frame. And along the way over the years, I've learned more about what I actually wear, as opposed to what fits a SWAP requirement but stays in the closet or dresser drawers (multiple tee shirts I am looking at you, well actually not, since they never were worn and ended up in the giveaway pile) But, like CCL,

Quotewhat I enjoy the most is the camaraderie of having a bunch of sewing friends on a similar journey with whom I get to chatter and think about patterns, techniques and fabric

.

My hope is to come up with rules that will not leave anyone sewing wardrobe items just for SWAP that they never subsequently wear, that we all have fun and learn things along the journey, and that those who officially join and those who play along will all find what we do here to be useful

I would be up for participating in either a jacket challenge or another dress challenge, as I have both of those garments in my ongoing wardrobe sewing plan. Thanks for being willing to start this again!

I probably have nothing to add of significance to the discussion.

I have completed three SWAPs.  The first one I tried to make the deadline and did so, but I must confess that there is only one garment from it that I continue to wear.  The second SWAP was devoted to clothes for Better Half and it took me two years to finish, but I am most proud of that set.  He wears everything from it, except the first pair of trousers which I admit weren't very good.  My third SWAP was loads of fun and took a year to complete.  So I definitely do not fit into the "sew a SWAP within a weekend" nor within the purpose of the original SWAPs. But that's okay - I am really mostly on the sidelines anyway!

That being said, what I enjoy the most is the camaraderie of having a bunch of sewing friends on a similar journey with whom I get to chatter and think about patterns, techniques and fabric.  So anything IndigoTiger you come up with is fine by me.  I enjoy the puzzle aspect that lets me organize projects/ fabrics that I want to do/use anyway.  I know that whatever you design will inspire me.

Plus I never really "enter" since I think I will always belong in the Slow Sewing SWAP category - which is just okydoky with me.

Last year we did a dress challenge... but I felt somehow that left some folks out who don't do dresses and might want to participate.

So, what if this year we do a "jacket" challenge?  Now, jacket could be any top garment that has sleeves and opens in front and is worn over another item.  That would exclude vests, but not shirts.   I'd still like to include the requirement that there be one new thing involved - new pattern; new type of fabric (such as if you've never sewn velvet, using velvet for the jacket could be the one new thing); new technique (setting sleeves using wigam); new to you construction, such as a welt pocket, cut on front band.  The idea being as this challenge is an opportunity to grow a new skill.

If that doesn't appeal to folks, we could go back to the "dress challenge."

Anyway, appreciate folks thoughts and if there is enough interest, I would be willing to sponsor again.

Such good stuff!

DD and I coincidentally have been reviewing our wardrobe, inspired by this podcast episode http://lovetosewpodcast.com/episodes/episode-108-create-your-dream-wardrobe/ .

It is similar of course to the Wardrobe Architect series https://blog.colettehq.com/wardrobe-architect. It was super fun to do with DD, and very helpful.  I understand why I struggle with SWAP plans. I have multiple different style personalities, partially born out by the very specific needs of my job, combined with my love of creative dressing and desire for comfort.

So whatever the rules are, I will have to resist the urge to "do it all" and stick with one unifying theme, which will probably include a few crossover items (basic pants, layering tees.)

For those of you who, like me, prefer reading to listening to podcasts, Nancy Nix-Rice has a whole lot of good blog posts.  They also have good photos, which make the points very clearly.   See menu on right for links to her wardrobe plans (she even has posts with suggested patterns)
https://www.nancynixrice.com/color-consultation/
For videos - she has a class at Craftsy-Bluprint, and a DVD at Palmer-Pletsch, as well as a book 'Looking Good'.

At the moment I'm very much into starting with one basic pattern and thinking up many variations - and that has been my plan for at least the last couple of years.  But as usual, as I take a couple of months to make a 3-hour garment, I'm unlikely to take part in SWAP 
Well, perhaps things would speed up if I didn't always find myself doing some pattern work and trying out a new technique. . .

Joyce mentioned one of my favorite online resources:

Quote...inspired by today's (Oct 11) Vivienne Files.

I follow that blog, because although I don't wear the styles that Janice shows, her ability to find inspiration in a variety of ways, create beautiful and uncommon color schemes, and put together extremely wearable wardrobe capsules is brilliant and worth emulating. I noticed, as well, that the post today would be a good example of a theoretical SWAP, since it has eleven garments! For anyone seeking SWAP ideas, spending some time wandering around "The Vivienne Files" blog would be a valuable excursion

Thanks, indigotiger, for stepping forward and for leading this discussion.

Things I would/have liked for a SWAP:

• unifying theme for color choices
• using/developing TNT patterns
• trying something new, such as a new type of fabric

At the moment, I'm inspired by today's (Oct 11) Vivienne Files. I "need" to plan a travel/family get-together wardrobe for the Christmas holidays and want to use this format for it. If it fits into a SWAP, so much the better. The "unifying theme" would be dark grey neutrals. The TNT might be knit t-shirt tops. Trying something new might be sewing velvet, or replicating the lovely Eileen Fisher coat in a more modestly priced fabric ;-) I need an "Oregon winter" coat anyway, and our holiday travel is to Georgia - so no heavy-duty coating/construction is required.

I also appreciate the thought behind the original SWAP, which was a "quick sew" approach. Thankfully, we will have more time!

Love these start-up discussions - everything's possible!!

ETA: I really like your provisional title of "Your Perfect Vision"!!

Lisa's made it even harder! The original SWAP was only 11 pieces (not 13) but they were specific
From the link Indigotiger provided.

QuoteStage One - make 11 garments. These are: 2 pairs of pants; 2 skirts, one in a solid colour, one in a print or check; 2 simple tops, one solid, one in the above print; 4 tops, in colours which coordinate with the solids; 1 simple cardigan jacket in a solid colour.

For those of you who may be curious about the original "SWAP", it was based on an article "The Perfect Wardrobe" by Lynn Cook, in Australian Stitches magazine. Julie Timmel dubbed it "Sewing with a Plan" and sponsored the first few contests. SWAP then migrated over here, and has been a fixture every year since. Here is a link via The Wayback Machine to an article by Julie Timmel that references a lot of material about the original concept.

and, while looking that information up, I also found this article which talks about making a six piece wardrobe in a weekend!

I intend to keep sharing links here that may inspire someone, even if the styles and combinations are not to my personal taste. My own goal is to create a set of rules for the 2020 SWAP (which I have provisionally named "Your Perfect Vison", because "20-20") that will work both for those who prefer to sew and wear something similar to the original concept (very simple clothing using a minimum number of patterns and fabrics), as well as those who have a more elaborate or idiosyncratic approach to their wardrobe sewing.

After all, I just couldn't be okay with designing a SWAP where I myself would be disqualified by reason of my beloved pinafores! I will be continuing to think about how best to structure the 2020 rules, and I really appreciate the comments about what people find to be important to them, and what concerns they may have.