Wow, it’s been a long time since I posted here, so sorry for that if you’ve been wanting a catch-up! Sewing has been happening, but I think it’s fair to say that it hasn’t been my top priority. I have been somewhat hampered by a bad back, but we’ve also just had a lot going on as a family that has significantly hindered my sewing progress. I’ve just not found myself able to settle to anything, and sewing has felt like too frivolous a pastime to really deserve my limited free time. I do know though that I need to be doing something creative to retain my sense of self and balance.
With all that going on, progress on my Use 5 has been basically non-existent. That makes me sad, but equally now is not the time to put pressure on myself for something that is, after all, a hobby.
So, for my benefit as much as yours, here is a round-up of the lack of progress 🙂
First up is the monochrome floral fabric: This is still not cut, and in fact I still haven’t finally decided on a pattern, although I am still tempted by the GBSB shift dress. In all honesty, I don’t think I’m going to cut into this one this year – it’s destined to be a summery dress and there’s no summer left this year. I just need to make sure that it is prioritised next year.
![Monochrome Floral and GBSB Shift Dress](https://i0.wp.com/www.sewsmart.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Use-5-monochrome-floral-300x225.jpg?resize=300%2C225)
Second on the list was this faux shearling fabric that has been made into my favourite jacket ever. This one I count as a major success 🙂
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.sewsmart.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/shearling-front-open-300x265.jpg?resize=300%2C265)
The third fabric is this rather unusual chainmail fabric. Again, this currently remains uncut, but I think now I have an overlocker it may be a step closer to being cut. Although this fabric has a small amount of stretch, it’s only a small amount, as such I’m considering Simplicity 8258 (an amazing fit pattern) or alternatively New Look 6209. There is a chance, if only a small one, that this fabric may see the cutting table – I might just try and get it made for a Christmas dress.
!["Chainmail" Fabric](https://i0.wp.com/www.sewsmart.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Use-5-Chainmail-300x228.jpg?resize=300%2C228)
After that, I had my denim and Jalie jeans pattern – this doesn’t scare me perhaps as much as it should, and again, there’s a chance I may start on this before the end of the year. It depends how much time I get to myself. I’m currently finding that I have very little time, and added to that, I’ve got a massive stack of unfinished projects that I want to get through before I start another new project.
![Stretch Denim with Jalie 2908 Jeans Pattern](https://i0.wp.com/www.sewsmart.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Use-5-stretch-denim-300x235.jpg?resize=300%2C235)
The final fabric on my Use 5 is my teal ponte, destined to be a New Look 6000.
![Teal Ponte di Roma with New Look 6000](https://i0.wp.com/www.sewsmart.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Use-5-Teal-Ponte-300x246.jpg?resize=300%2C246)
I can’t wait to cut into this, and just need to work out how to do an FBA on the rather unusual pattern piece. In reality I don’t think it will be too bad, as I think I just need to fold the pleats and make it a “standard” bodice shape and then work from there. It is a bit nerve-wracking though. It’s also not helped because I’m not entirely sure what size to cut – the New Look patterns I have used before tend to have a rather generous amount of ease in ladies patterns and so I’ve cut down a size. Coupled with the fact that the ponte has a slight stretch, and the pattern is designed for woven fabric I don’t know whether to drop down two sizes – I am thinking I will need to make a toile – something I just don’t want to have to bother with, especially when I’m wanting to get this done by the end of the year.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.sewsmart.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/NL6000-pieces-300x219.jpg?resize=300%2C219)
All in all, that’s 1/5 completed – definitely not where I wanted to be in mid-November, but it’s where I am, and I just have to be gentle with myself. In all honesty, if I’d known what was coming in 2018 I don’t think I’d have expected to be able to sew anything at all.