Thursday 2 May 2019

Thoughts on repetition

Where do you stand on the issue of repetition in sewing? Do you have certain tried-and-tested patterns that you use over and over again, or do you prefer to try new things whenever possible? Anyone who read my last blog post, in which I shared a shirt that was my third version of Butterick 6563 and the fifth garment that I'd made using a particularly lovely Liberty print, would easily guess that I tend towards the first category.


There's nothing that would demonstrate that better in terms of my sewing than my collection of Christine Haynes Emery dresses.

This week I got a new wardrobe, and I decided that it would be fun (small things amuse me!) to initially just hang my Emery dresses in it to see quite how many I had. I thought it was 12 - turns out I'd underestimated myself and the grand total currently stands at 15!


Now, I definitely like to make multiple versions of successful patterns, but this is by far the biggest collection of one single pattern in my wardrobe. While part of the reason that I've made so many is because it was one of the first dresses that I ever made for myself back in 2013, therefore I've had more time to make multiple versions of Emery than of newer patterns, a large part of it is that it's a simple silhouette so when you're wearing it the focus more on the fabric rather than the dress itself. At least that's what I'm telling myself anyway!


Thinking about the patterns that I've made the most, they generally fall into this category. Other frequently used patterns in my wardrobe include the Sew Over It Susie blouse, although most of mine are my scoop neck hack (side note: finding that blog post to link to has uncovered a neglected 16th use of the Emery pattern in the form of a skirt), New Look 6217 (there have been more made since I wrote that post) and the Jennifer Lauren Gable top/dress.

Having a good simple silhouette to showcase a beautiful fabric is definitely welcome to someone like me who tends to be drawn to colourful and vibrant prints.


All this isn't to say that I don't like trying new patterns - I definitely do! My first pair of trousers are sitting waiting to be photographed and will hopefully be appearing here soon. At the moment I've got a toile cut out of what promises to be a super pretty new dress. I'm also thinking of joining in with #sewtogetherforsummer and sewing a jumpsuit or dungarees, which would definitely be out of my comfort zone. So I do enjoy learning new techniques and challenging myself to try different things.

However, there's a big part of me that primarily sews to relax. That part of me enjoys knowing that I already have pattern pieces cut out and adjusted to fit me. That I can just cut into my fabric and then get sewing, safe in the knowledge that I'll have already figured out any possible challenges of the construction process on my first (or second, third, or maybe even fourteenth!) previous version of the pattern.

Emery dresses modelled as they were finished, in roughly chronological order. Plus my changing hair over the years!

So while I'm not entirely in one camp or the other, I tend to like the comfort of the familiar with touches of sparkly newness thrown in every now and then to liven things up. How about you?

10 comments:

  1. Well why the hell not! It is a great dress on you and I can appreciate cutting and sewing without fitting issues. My record is 4 scout T tops - two solid and two floral. Jo xx

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    1. My thoughts exactly Jo - and thank you! The Scout top seems to be another one that people rarely make just one of - maybe I should add it to my list of patterns to try!

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  2. I can totally agree! When i first started sewing it was a different pattern every time but now a few years on I definitely have favourites and try to get the most out of my patterns. I have about 6 Ogden camis and about 7 sew over it heather dresses. What jumpsuit/dungarees do you have in mind? I have just sewn 2 versions of the sew house 7 burnside bibs both of which i love but I will probably leave it there!

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    1. The Ogden cami in particular does seem to be very popular for people making multiple versions! I'm leaning more towards a jumpsuit than dungarees at the moment (I might try dungarees when autumn is approaching!) - probably either the Designer Stitch Eden or Paper Theory Zadie but not sure which at the moment!

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  3. Well, if the shoe fits! (I hope this is also a British saying!) Beautiful dresses in lovely fabrics - what's not to love!

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    1. Yes, don't worry - that's a British saying too! And thank you - I do love them!

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  4. I say if you like the pattern, make as many as you like!! All your Emerys are fabulous!

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    1. Thanks Lynne - there may still be more Emery dresses to come from me I think!

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  5. Nice collection of dresses! Each of us has our favorite designs. The main thing is if we feel good in this.

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    1. Very true - the most important thing is that you feel good in what you wear!

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