What Have Pancakes Got To Do With Sewing?

Pancake day was earlier this week. Although it is actually celebrated several times throughout the year in our house. The idea of different fillings is tempting - nutella and bananas or even just jam. But for me it is always lemon and sugar. When the kids were small they would wait patiently while I cooked individual pancakes and would eat them literally straight out of the pan.  I stumbled across this video from English Heritage about Victorian Pancakes and I love it. 

How to make Victorian Pancakes

What has all this to do with sewing? Well if you think about what Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, is all about it really does relate to sewing. For me it kind of sums up two things - using stuff up and a period of reflection. Both of which I think apply to sewing and making. Traditionally all the yummy things like meat, eggs and butter and cream would be cooked up and enjoyed before the serious business of fasting and reflection took part in Lent. 

How can we actually use this in our making and sewing? 

Well, if you're anything like me, and I am sure lots of you are then I have a STASH of fabric. I must confess mine is not as large as it possibly could be but there is still more than enough fabric to keep me busy for a good while. So why don't I use it up? 

I think there are several reasons for this from my own perspective and I wonder if they might resonate with you too?

1. To be honest I don't think I can actually remember exactly what I have. It is all boxed up beautifully, but I have no idea of quantities or indeed what the fabric might be suitable for?

2. Out of sight is out of mind - if I cannot see it, I am not aware of it or what I could possibly do with it.

3. I currently have no space. Either physically or mentally at the moment to deal with the concept of making anything for myself. I did actually cut something out the other day in anticipation - (you may have seen the social media post.) But to consciously spend time planning and making for myself right now is not really a thing.  

Maybe this is where the concept of Lent can come in. In the Christian faith it is a period of fasting and of contemplation and preparation. I rather like the idea of applying this to my own practice of sewing and making. Spending time really thinking about what I want to make, the why’s and the how’s as well. This is also how we start the Diploma Course.

So  rather than just jumping on a bit of fabric and making it into something that I think might work. I want to take some time to think about what I want to make, prepare a space for me to be able to actually make it and concentrate on what brings me joy about the whole process. 

So my plan of action, (because thought is good but action is better), is as follows:

1. Do a Fabric Stash Audit - I will go through my stash and record what I have. I will list the fibre content (if I can find it - and I know a good way to determine this, but that is for another day), width, meterage, and what it’s suitable for along with a swatch of the fabrics. You can use my Swatch File download if you want to do the same. 

2. I will have this on display in my studio/sewing room so I can see it every time I walk into that space. And use it as a reminder of what I already have, rather than just going out and buying yet more fabric/insulation. 

3. I will book time into my diary for myself to “Sit and Sew”. I have to confess to still wanting to hibernate in the evenings at the moment, preferably under a blanket with a good book. But now the evenings are getting lighter I am feeling more inclined to ‘Do Stuff’, I need to book a meeting with my Sewing Machine and have it in my Google Calendar - because if it’s not in there it won’t actually happen. 

4. Make a space to sew. When both kids left for Uni I began to make a space to sew at home. Then life got complicated and one of them came home again for a while and that idea was shelved. Fast forward two years and both my babies are well and truly independent. I now have another opportunity to create a little sewing oasis - so watch this space!

Does any of this resonate with you? Maybe we can do this together to help motivate each other.

I really love to see what people are posting about in Me Made May but I am never organised enough to actually take part. However, if I can be a bit more prepared this time around, maybe I could. 

I have a little dream of being truly organised and having time for everything I want to do. I know this isn’t actually possible as real life is messy, but a step in the right direction certainly won't hurt. 

So if you are up for joining me on this little journal through Lent, let me know.

Jules x