What Problem Does That Solve?

Readers,

Blame my background as a librarian for calling a new form that I’m experimenting with an “Acquisitions Record.”

Out of my 22 years working in libraries I spent four and a half in my system’s Collection Management department, in Acquisitions, selecting adult fiction, large print, and audiobooks. (I also pestered advised my colleague who ordered the cookbooks and sewing books.)

Since my time as a selector I’ve thought about where it might make sense to apply library principles and practices to getting things sewn.  I haven’t actually drawn up a collection management policy, but I don’t think it’s a bad idea. (That’s a topic for another time.)

What I did do, on the spur of the moment about a month ago, was record a few facts, reasons, and plans concerning a book I’d bought.  Why did I buy another sewing book, why now, and how was I planning to actually use it? I did have a plan for it–right?

It’s way too easy to acquire sewing stuff, with the best of intentions, and then not to use it to its full potential. And that bothers me.

I threw together a table in OneNote and started making columns to collect facts.

• Date: Aug. 21
• Type: Book
• Description: The Sewing Bible: Curtains
• Price: $4.29; originally $24.99
• Where purchased: Half Price Books

Then I created a couple of columns to collect explanations.

• Reason/What problems this solves: Looks like good instructions and designs for curtains and draperies, different from what I already have.
• Why now? Kitchen curtain and dining room drapery projects by mid-Oct. before our next houseguest arrives.

Then I pushed myself to move to the planning stage:

• Plans to use it: Read about sheers, tab-top curtains, design, construction.
• Projects scheduled: Visit Fabric Farms 8/29. See list [of supplies to look for] in Outlook.
• Projects completed: Aim for mid-Oct.

That was my first entry.  I was being ambitious: the heat of August persuaded me that October was a long ways off. Nevertheless, asking myself what problems this purchase was meant to solve, and why I was buying now made me think longer, more creatively, and more concretely.

My next sewing-related purchase turned out to be the very next day:

• Date: Aug. 22
• Type: Class
• Description: “Fast-Track Fitting with Joi Mahon” plus Vogue fitting pattern for the class
• Price: $21.14 (incl. shipping the pattern), usually $44.99
• Where purchased: Craftsy

And my explanations:

• Reason/What problems this solves: Different approach from Kenneth King’s in “Smart Fitting” DVDs, and complementary. I don’t want to wait to get help from my old sewing teachers. Also, I can ask Joi questions online as part of the class, and I can’t ask Kenneth.
• Why now? Sale was one day only. This was on my wish list. I’ve read her fitting book, very impressed with her clear, organized explanations. Returning to sewing in earnest after blog sabbatical; want to crank out garments I love. Fitting is my biggest Achilles’ heel.

On to the ambitious planning:

• Plans to use it: Aggressively use to fit my patterns, then try fitting a blouse for Cynthia.
• Projects scheduled: E-mail Cynthia to set date to measure me per Joi’s class. Possible blog series. 1959 Vogue belted jacket pattern: read instructions Aug. 23.
• Projects completed: [left blank]

Even though my simple little acquisitions record was barely 24 hours old, it had already begun to work some magic. I wasn’t just recording a past expenditure. I was thinking more systematically and strategically before my purchase.

That’s especially important for me when I buy Craftsy classes. They don’t occupy physical space, and it’s easy for me to forget that they’re resources like my books and tools–and maybe better, because Craftsy instructors respond to students’ questions.

In the last month I’ve made six entries in my acquisitions record: for a book, two online classes, a fabric remnant, and two patterns.  I have found that’s it’s been fun to track what things are coming into this sewing room and what potential they offer:

• methods I can understand for fitting patterns better even before I sew the muslin
• methods for altering ready-to-wear to perfect the fit
• curtains to grace our new kitchen and dining room
• flannel pajamas with flair
• a steady supply of custom-fit aprons

  

That tantalizing potential is there, for sure.  And, I know, it certainly is easy to get over-ambitious creating projects and deadlines without the necessary follow-through: call me Exhibit A.

But I think this simple form is going to help move me in the right direction to get things sewn.  It’s a good starting point.

And when I get a better idea–I’ll just create another form.