Starting a Project

I’ve been having a hard time completing my challenges on time…..not sure if you’ve noticed. 

I’m quick to blame Olivia for my tardiness (actually more like my inability to finish at all), but honestly, it’s more than just her.   

I’ll let you in on a little secret: I hate the process of actually starting a sewing project. I love buying patterns and love picking out the fabric, but after that I start stalling.

I don’t really mind washing the fabric…..but it slows everything down so much.  Then it has to be ironed, and that’s a pain.  Have you ever noticed how hard it is to iron really large yardages?  Ugh.   Once it’s ironed it’s time to place and cut out the pattern.  This is where everything really falls to pieces.  

I absolutely DREAD marking and cutting the pattern.  I’m not sure that the way I get my pieces cut out is the best method.  I’ve done a lot of research on the matter, and am just not sure if there is any NON-annoying to mark and cut out pattern pieces. 

When my mom taught me how to sew, she also taught me her method of marking out the pattern.  She pins the pattern down on the material, and then carefully traces her size all the way around.  When they are all marked she cuts out.   I’ve used this method for years, and it’s a real time (and back) killer.  Plus, if the fabric is dark, or shiny then marking it is just another issue entirely.  Another issue with marking I have is that I’ve never found the “holy grail” of marking tools.  Pencil works great on lighter colored cottons, but what do you use if you have a silky or dark colored fabric?  Lately, (and I feel like this is awful), I’ve been using Liv’s little Crayola markers.  They are bright, and are washable….right?   However, if I’m using Mumma Ouellette’s marking method the marker kinda gets everywhere……

The other method that I’ve been trying out lately is to trace the pattern onto freezer paper and  then trace it onto the fabric using pattern weights.  I like this method, but the tracing takes a while….and it makes me start to wonder if it’s really worth it.  I tell myself that it is, because if I want to make the item again then I don’t need to retrace everything.  But…..I haven’t made anything a second time yet……

Once the pattern is traced and ready to cut out, I’m basically in the clear.  I like the sewing part, and it goes pretty fast from there……as long as I don’t sit down on the couch before I start.  Once I’m on the couch it’s so hard trying to get myself off.

Is this a part of the sewing process that you hate.....or am I just a  terribly lazy person :)