An often recurring pattern for some seamstress types is that most of the completed projects end up being for clients or gifts for other people. Why is this? Of course the main reason I got into sewing my own clothes was to have the option to make things I wanted and unique to me. Unfortunately in the effort to make some money and give one of a kind gifts to the important people in my life, my own projects get pushed to the ‘to do’ bin, or sometimes even languish as fabric pieces long forgotten and re-filed.
On the positive side of doing a major sorting/overhaul on the sewing room, you come across those lovely pieces of suiting or those embroidered tea towels you thought were long lost (true story).
I am going to attempt to make up for the poor UFOs in my bins this year. I have to make time for finishing and starting clothing and accessories for me! The benefits are many :
- Expand my current wardrobe – and update to my needs and changing style.
- Practice new and old techniques without pressure.
- Use up fabric from my stash and put it to good use – freeing up space in my limited storage areas.
- Advertise my services by wearing things I’ve made.
I also need to commit time to knitting up the UFOs in my yarn bins. I don’t think I want to take on anything further until I’ve completed the projects started or planned already. I might try to further purge the stash if possible. Luckily I know of a couple places in town that will make good use of my donations.
So what’s on the list?
- More patterns from Gertie’s Guide to Better Sewing. Many sewing blogs have been raving about this book. I made up the pencil skirt pattern with some teal suiting and lined it in hot pink! The pattern was pretty much perfect – all I did was grade 2 sizes when tracing it out and I didn’t have to do any alterations – that never happens!
- Copy and make up garments from my growing collection of vintage patterns. I also own a good collection of vintage sewing books which I hope can ease the transition and provide helpful de-coding if needed.
- Make myself a new everyday messenger bag. My current version has lasted nearly 4 years of the Heather test – I’ve worn it every day and it’s taken a beating. The seams and straps are finally wearing out and it’s looking worse for wear : (
- Use a black suede skirt I cut into for leather pieces and a mohair sweater I felted to make some nice looking but warm gauntlet gloves. In this town for a few solid months you need to have a full arsenal of warm outerwear and I need some accessories to wear with my dress coats and nice outfits.
Hopefully I will be able to use this blog as a motivation to complete and properly document my progress, as well as archive my previous work.
Better get back to the list – or at least preparing for it!
Love Heather
