Sewing Goals for 2013 continued, in which I use too many italics, digress, and make yes, even more lists!
Yesterday’s post revealed my ugly unfinished projects, with my vow to finish all of them, immediately! Get ‘Er Done in 2013!
However, this doesn’t address my sewing goals. I don’t just reflect and review as tradition at the New Year, I push myself toward a greater something; movement, improvement, motion. I don’t just want to be better, I need to be better. Therefore, I must practice at things like welt pockets, silk fabrics, rolled hems, and better shoulder/sleeve alignment.
Sewing Goal for 2013:
Sew one item of clothing a month for myself, with as many muslin’s as it takes for great fit and comfort, using only fabric* from my stash!
This is much harder than it sounds. I get rare uninterrupted moments to sew, often late at night after the boys go to sleep. I didn’t finish but 4 items for myself last year, when the goal was 12. The only realistic part that makes this obtainable if I push myself, is that my first and primary goal to finish all WIPs contains items that will also work for this goal.
So without further ado, here are my clothing choices for 2013!
1. Perfecting the cowl neck 3/4 sleeve Renfrew top by Sewaholic
2. Wool/Rayon Ginger Skirt in green-gold herringbone by Colette
3. Wool/Rayon Ginger Skirt in black by Colette
4. Sew Serendipity skirt in mustache and grey linen
5. Sew Serendipity dress in type
6. Taffy Blouse in black and white polka dot chiffon by Colette
7. Leggings in design your own pattern by Cal Patch, in stash knits
8. Blank Canvas Tee in stash knits
9. Green silk Sencha Blouse by Colette
10. Jasmine blouse in grey silk with polka dot tie by Colette
11. Pastille Dress in purple dotted sateen by Colette
12. PARTY DRESS for my 35th birthday this year (deadline of May 1) pattern: unpicked!
I do feel that these projects are carefully chosen, in levels from beginner to intermediate to complex, with fabrics that I haven’t ever sewn before, with details I don’t know how yet to do. I am excited to begin! And yet, I don’t just sew for myself, I sew for my team, my family and friends. I get requests for handmade items, and feel the need to make gifts as well. So, after my list of WIPs and Projects for 2013, comes my last list.
Things That Should But Probably Won’t Get Done Soon:
1. Lunch Bag for Hubs (echino)
2. handlebar bike bag for me (echino)
3. toddler backpack (dragon)
4. man business shirt (thank you Craftsy class!)
5. toddler flannel pajamas x2 (twilight and pirate fabrics)
6. toddler overalls (knit)
7. toddler boxer briefs (knit scraps)
8. bike flag
9. pajama pants for hubs (night owls)
10. messenger bag for my mom (black cord and hot pink home decor)
11. toddler button up (skulls and hearts)
12. toddler pants with button tabs (grey corduroy)
13. toddler growth chart (viking!)
14. toddler name on painter canvas (viking!)
15. aprons for my nephews
Is it any wonder I get stressed when I enter my sewing room? Tell me, fellow crafters, are you this freaking nuts too? How am I going to get 24 – 38+ projects done this year? How do you handle all your projects? How do you handle being less “good” than you are or think you are?
I want a sewing buddy to throw questions at, a wise expert in all clothing matters, who understands fit and fabrics in ways I don’t. And yet, I find myself embarrassed asking my friends more than the simplest questions. I have signed up every year with the WhipStitch sewing buddies. Maybe this year I will meet someone consistent in communication?
So here is to having a lovely year, an accomplished year, a happy New Year to you.
Love,
MaLora
PS: The below quilt was the first and only quilt ever given and made for me, at my high school graduation. It has been washed at least 200 times since 1997, as it was used exclusively for many wonderful years. I was happy to repair it as best as I could tonight, getting a project off my sewing room floor and providing a new nap time blanket for my family.
*Fabric from my stash is tricky. I may not have enough fabric for 12 actual items of clothing, or the muslin, or the notions. My fabric budget is zero, so I must complete all that I can, with all that I have. This doesn’t mean I will make clothes out of fabric I don’t like, but it does mean I might make a skirt instead of a dress, or shorts instead of slacks. Make Do and Mend, right?
I like to make and do. After my day is over and the bike riding is done, the making begins. Join me in my adventures!
I completely understand the desire to complete 24-38 projects. The more I sew, the more I want to sew! But I get impatient towards the end and adjusting at the end is difficult and frustrating to do on yourself.
I hear you. It’s so hard! I want all of the things! My real goal is to finish what I have started, starting with the original list then onto the clothes. I am learnign to be less hard on myself, but I also work well with a bit of pressure. And if I am not going to make great things for me, who will?
Thank you for reading! I appreciate it.
I think we need to attack each project one at a time and not think ahead to the next thing. I LOVE lists myself so I think I should stick to the list and celebrate each item completed.
That is exactly my point. I kept starting more and more projects. Happy to report I have two done already! So I am hopeful that January will be very good to me, keeping me indoors out of the cold, and checking off my projects one by one! Thank you for reading!
P.S. I love your notebook of what you want to complete! Where do u get the pictures?
I do have a notebook I made all about my sewing, but it isn’t pictured here. I use the notebook marking everything from fabric sites, to fabrics types, to patterns I love, to sketches of clothes I make. It is more fun that useful maybe, but I think the idle doodling helps me organize my many ideas. The book pictured is the newest (and only at this time, I think) book by Colette Patterns. Do you know them? From Portland, by Sarai Mittick. Here is their webside:
Really worth a look.
Oh my goodness – what fab sewing goals!
I’m a beginner when it comes to sewing, but I’ve a number of knitting projects that I want to complete this year, so I understand the determination!!
Best of luck – really looking forward to seeing what you manage to make
http://www.mancunianvintage.com
Thank you so much! I am a beginner at knitting, and I end up just using my knitting needles as point turners! =)
It’s all about practice (which I’m sure is the same for sewing!)
Best of luck!
Love your goals, good luck!!! I have SO many projects on my to do list.
We are over-achievers, you and I.
Mustache and grey linen? Are there actually mustaches printed on? Please say yes!
Yep! Like this, with a different background color: http://www.hartsfabric.com/wheres-my-stash-cream-65153.html
This is going to be an amazing year for you. You can do it!