Adventures in batch sewing (attempt 1 part 1)

At the beginning of December I had a grand idea that it would be really practical for me to try some batch sewing, I cut out a number of projects to sew over a fortnight period… but here I am just about to pick up these half finished projects for Part 2. Batch sewing appeals to me and I intend to write up my experiments and learnings as I go.

My husband works shift work and every 6 weeks or so there is a fortnight where he works a late shift. I'm horrendously bad at starting projects during these weeks, although I am fine if I have something already on the go. I'm not really sure why. Maybe it stems from the face that before I moved jobs, I was spending a lot of my day commuting and I found the thought of leaving for work 6 hours before him, and only getting home 2 hours before him a bit depressing! I'd get home, sort the cats out, have dinner and by then he'd usually be on his way home. I'm sure another reason is to do with a disrupted sleep pattern caused by the two of us being on a different body clock for the fortnight.

The thought of starting a project can be quite daunting for me (partly because I still lack confidence in my ability, partly because I have so many options I get a bit overwhelmed and partly because I feel like I want to challenge myself, but still make something I know I can make work and… see part about being overwhelmed. Cutting out I also find quite time consuming. So the weekend before Mr Spec went on lates, I took some fabrics and a couple of patterns downstairs while we watched TV and cut some out. I'm a bit of a fan of this, because I find it a nice way of being social and productive and I'll often cut projects out away from the sewing room (Which Mr Spec refers to as spreading the joy of loose threads and fabric scraps, I'm sure in an entirely un-sarcastic manner).  We had quite the fun with a week old kitten joining in with the cutting out...

So off the husband went to work and I was excited about the prospect of having a large contribution to a new me-made (pocketed) wardrobe by the end of the fortnight. I'd cut out no less than 8 projects (a fully lined party dress, 3 work dresses -one lined, 3 casual dresses and an experimental playsuit) to add to 2 partially finished dresses I also combined into the pot. Halfway through the week I also cut out a brand new project which I sewed and finished immediately. I also started crocheting my first ever jumper.. which I probably wouldn't advise mid way through a batch sewing experiment.

Attempt 1 was never supposed to be Part 1 and Part 2, split over 2 late shift stints. It started so well. I had all the projects cut and ironed and on the first night I pinned and sewed all of the darts and a number of french seams for the bodices. By the end of night 2 I had 12 bodices sewn and by the time night 3 came to a close the bodices also had neckline and armhole finishes (well almost all of the, I ran out of bia binding so a couple had no armhole facings.. Doh!). I even sewed and turned out 2 sets of waist ties. But, then I stumbled. What I had forgotten is that I also tend to arrange at least a couple of evening activities during these late shift fortnights - a pub quiz, a meal out with a friend, a visitor to the house or something. So, I reached the end of week one feeling quite positive but having not really achieved much in the last couple of days. I gave myself the weekend off to spend time with the husband and set back to it for week 2.

But, week 2 was not particularly productive. I sewed up the side seams of 3 skirts and had added pockets to each of the other dresses. I did not get any further. I didn't get anywhere near the dreaded 'evening of zips'. And the result was a pile of half assembled garments which did not get finished in time for Christmas, still haven't entered my wardrobe and still need time to complete. I set myself too big a challenge and then beat myself up about not completing it - this is a common theme in my life outside of sewing too. So if I can use these adventures in batch sewing as a means to teach myself to be kinder on myself, then it will be an all round Specky success!

Batch sewing really appeals to me still and I want to tackle it again after these projects are complete. I'm onto a new late shift fortnight this week - wish me luck! I've picked out 3 of the projects to aim to complete this first week, as the bulk of the sewing is complete, and I hope to finish another 3 next week.

Things I learned in Attempt 1 Part 1

- This many projects is too many projects (I probably knew this already…)

- It isn't a problem if I Don't finish the projects, I don't need to beat myself up about it (I probably knew this already… )

- However, I shouldn't leave it till the next late shift to continue! (Ditto)

- Late shift fortnight could also be used to tackle one more complex project, for example the moto jacket I want to try later in the year

- Batch sewing this number of projects was a nightmare for mess which made me feel really antsy

Things I will do differently in Attempt 2

- Choose 3 or 4 projects, different garments to sew. If I finish them and want to start another- great, or maybe I will celebrate with a glass of wine in front of netflix

- I've joined Audible and I think listening to audiobooks will help me in my batch sewing endeavours.

- Make myself more tea.

- Potentially set myself different projects for each of the weeks?

        - Try to keep the room tidier!

        -  Make sure I have all of the things I need beore starting!

We live and learn, right?  Here's hoping that Part 2 will be full of photos of fully finished dresses in the next fortnight or so... Have you sewn batch project before? Any tips? Successes? Is it not for you? I'd love to hear what you have to say!

Fabrics in this post: 'Abstract Peacock' polyster from The Frugal Fabric Shop, Animal map print from Sew Sew Fabrics (which my mum kindly picked up for me!, Crane print fabric from Fabric Land, Pretty floral georgette which I picked up from @from_the_museum_destash , African wax horse print that I picked up from the market in Elephant and Castle (London), Aubergine dupion from Goldhawk Road (which is being lined with the giant polka dot peachskin from Rainbow Fabrics), Brown, purple and teal fan print cotton from Goldhawk Road and some large black and white gingham from Fabric Land.  Is that it? I hope that's it.. it sounds like a lot! 

(You'll discover if you continue reading this blog that I love a stat.  I typed Fabric incorrectly 25 times while writing this post... farbic ftw!)