bag. For SWAP, the jackets when into one bag, shirts in another, pants and skirts in another - you get the idea. This keeps a project together when you are not sewing. If you have kids the point is obvious; everything is protected from sticky fingers and no bits are lost. As pieces are cut, they go into the bag. After the interfacing is cut, fuse everything for all the garments. After fusing, everything goes back into the bag. Itʼs even better if you picked up all the notions for your project when you decided on a pattern. I usually choose my pattern and then choose fabric from my stash or vice versa, and then realize that I don't have thread to match or any of the notions I need. So I make a quick trip to the fabric store with swatches to match thread or buttons or whatever. Then the notions for each project go into the appropriate bag. For multiple items like SWAP I usually have a master envelope with all the pattern pieces, instructions, printed reviews, swatches, whatever I need. That way, if I need some information it is all in one place. I've been known to bring that envelope to bed with me. At this point the pieces are cut and fused, notions are bought, and everything is organized into manageable parts. The pattern is a winner, workable for your life and shape, and checked and fitted. You are ready to sew. Now the beauty of this is that all you have to do is sew. Yes, you will still need to have the iron going to press seams and darts, but you wonʼt have major downtime until you can pick up something from the fabric store or because you need to clear off a space to cut out interfacing or whatever. If you only have 15 minutes to sew, it will be a very productive 15 minutes. I have tested this method with SWAP and can tell you that having enough time is something I will probably never achieve. I work full-time and have a family that demands attention and even to be fed on occasion. I suffer from sporadic insomnia but tend to surf the web in the middle of the night, not sew (needles through fingers are so unpleasant). I have the same 24 hours you do so if I can do it, you can do it, too. More importantly, I want you to do it so treat yourself to some sewing today. Call it therapy and then youʼll have the added gratification of having saved yourself $300 and you donʼt even have to leave home.
* For tips on fitting and altering patterns, SEWN Magazine recommends: Fit for Real People by Palmer & Pletsch Fast Fit by Sandra Betzina New Mexico State Universityʼs Clothing Publication Listing (LINK http://cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_c/)