2017 Review / 2018 Preview

2017 Projects
Looking back at my list from a year ago, I completed it... mostly.  I did complete my alphabet, but didn't do the final project I originally planned.  I'm going to do it though, to celebrate the end of the Alphabet Challenge!  And I was very vague by saying "more quilting" which definitely happened (including using that jelly roll and the white charm squares) but I still haven't attempted paper piecing or done any more string quilting.

• denim purse - made it up as I went along
• baby Butterfly dress x3
• flannel zig-zag rag blanket - I want to donate it
• camera case
• TV tray ironing board cover
• Maggie Mae x2 - largest and smallest sizes
• 
• Glass Onion x2 - so sad Cupcake is already in the biggest size! 
• quilts - White Discovery, Woven Star, Jelly Dot 

PLUS I made ....

• Candy Kaleidoscope McKenzie Tunic
• 3 HST stars for Summer's Night Sky
• O+S Red Riding Hood
• Mario Kart costumes
• 
• matching peasant dresses
• PJ pants for me x2
• crinkle tag toy x2
• matching Minnie Mouse McKenzie Tunics for friends
• My Little Pony Halloween costumes
• 
• MLP O+S juggling balls
• Open-wide zipper pouch x8
• crib sheet
• polar bear pants for Snowflake - we all matched on Christmas
• 
• granddaughter hug scarf
• rice pocket warmers x16 - teacher gifts
• reindeer circle skirt
• 
• MENDING: 27 items

2018 Plans

With the Sew All 26 complete (except that last zipper pouch) I've thought of a new challenge. COLOR!  No deadline, no specifics (sewing? quilting? both?), so not really challenging, but it'll be nice to branch out and use colors I don't normally use.  I already have RED well underway, and PINK is on my list for the next Finish-A-Long. 

Quilting!  I knew that once I got started I would love it.  And I do!  The last thing I need in my house is more blankets, but I live in a cold place, so who cares.  I have one surprise quilt almost ready to be quilted (thank you Trina for the border) and I've started a Christmas one with a layer cake that I won in a giveaway.  I still want to try my hand at paper piecing, once I find the right pattern.  I'd love to do string quilting again like I did on my sewing machine cover.  I received a set of hexagon and triangle rulers for Christmas and I have a few ideas for how to use those. I'm a total copycat and want to make a table runner like Trina.  And maybe, just for fun, I'll make a sampler quilt, just to try out new blocks without committing to a whole quilt.

Clothes!  Time for a batch of new pajamas for Cupcake, specifically a sheepy nightgown.  Snowflake needs a new sleepsack since the one I made over the summer is falling apart at the shoulders.  And I'd love to make more outfits for them to match (while neither will complain) - possibly Easter dresses, or something for the summer.  I also have fabric to make jackets for them (one is already cut out).  Snowflake doesn't really need clothes, but I have several patterns I want to make for her - either Maggie Mae or McKenzie.  The first Maggie Mae I made for Cupcake actually tore, so I have a sheepy bodice I need to make into a new dress.  And if that pattern still fits, I'm going to use the new My Little Pony fabric I got for Christmas to make another dress from the same pattern.  To round it all out, I've got a few friends having babies soon, and I need to make some more bibs and toys for gifts!  I'm looking forward to a very productive year!

Bubble Dress

I recently came across Project Run and Play (which I think Trina had mentioned before).  They do sewing challenges and you can win prizes, and it just sounds all sorts of fabulous.  And what would you know, the first challenge of the year is a bubble dress -- something that I had just written on my goal list not two weeks ago.  So of course I had to do it!  

I originally got the material for my first wedding (way back in 2003) and my Mom turned it into a tablecloth for me.  It doesn't fit our current table, and the butterflies were just too perfect for this project.  I used my same hand-drafted bodice and sleeve patterns as my storybook shirt, squaring up the neckline and shortening the bodice length and sleeves.  I was glad I had the pink ribbon on hand to complete the look - it definitely needed something to define the waistline.  There is a large pink button on the back, but with the addition of the sash it looks weird, so I'm going to swap it out for a black button (any excuse to go to the store!).  

I have to say it is amazing what I've been able to learn in a year!  Last January I barely sewed my first pair of pants, and now I'm making my own patterns and sewing with more confidence.  I look forward to another year of learning.  I wonder what I'll be able to do by next January!  

2015 Preview

I'm happy to continue on our Sew 26 Challenge, but agree that getting to Z by the end of the year is not the goal.  If we're close though, I would love to do something with colors next year.  Since I've started working (watching a friend's two boys four days a week) I need to be more productive with my time off.  KCW are great for motivation, so I'll definitely be participating in those again.  And I've set a few sewing goals for the year.

Use a pattern - The only actual pattern I've ever used was for the basic pants from MADE and it was only two pieces already in the size I wanted.  I was given a whole bunch of paper patterns but haven't used any of them.  I need to see if they are even worth using, or if I'll stick with newer patterns I can purchase online.  I don't really have a lot of room for sewing stuff anyway, so it'll be good to clean out patterns I won't use.

Zippers and buttonholes - I've managed to go a whole year without attempting either, but it feels like it's time.  My first zipper project will probably be a little pencil case.  Any suggestions for a buttonhole project?

Quilt - One of my first sewing projects was finishing a quilt that my mom had started - it isn't perfect, but it wasn't too hard to do.  I was given a bunch of fabric and was inspired by some of the scraps.  I'll be doing a simple strip quilt and have most of the fabric for it, but still need to work on the layout.

Make this Pleated Square Tunic from Shwin&Shwin for Cupcake.  I've been swooning over this since I found it four months ago.  I'll probably need to scale it down because the free pattern is a size 5/6 (you think I can get away with just printing it a little smaller?) but it's just so cute.  Will mean I need to learn how to make pleats, which are an adorable detail that I'll want to include in future projects as well.

Make a bubble skirt.  For me or Cupcake.

Make something for me - No specific plans yet.

Paint this shirt.  I like the style of the shirt itself (peasant top without gathered sleeves) and I love the splash of color.  This year must include some paint.


And on a semi-related note, another one of my goals this year is to start trying some new recipes.  I need to make a better effort at regularly preparing meals at my house and including more vegetables.  I'm going to hunt through this blog for ideas, Pinterest always has lots, and I happen to have an entire bookshelf of cookbooks that I need to peruse too.  Anyone have any great ideas though?  What do you regularly eat at your house?  What are some of your favorite things to prepare?

2015 sewing goals

One of my favorite sewing blogs is WhipStitch, and Deborah posted her 2015 goal list the other day and invited readers to participate. When I first looked at it, I thought, “Ha ha ha. I’ll never get through 17 projects this year.” Yes, I did way more than 17 projects in 2014 but my sewing plans are to do 2 or 3 full-sized quilts next, and who knows how long THOSE will take. Plus, we're kicking homeschooling up a couple more notches so it will take more time on a regular basis than it has in the past.

Then I looked at her list again, and maybe this will be possible after all ...

1. a treat for your sewing space: my sewing machine does need a dust cover, considering my sewing area is currently in our dusty storage room.

2. something for him: Adam has been after me to make him some flannel pajama pants ever since I told him I have the fabric for them.

3. a skirt or dress for you: yep, have the fabric for that too, that's just been sitting there for over 2 years.

4. a quilt or blanket for charity: I have 5 quilts to make - one for each of my girls - before I give away any to charity or a swap. But yes, a quilt is next on my list to sew. It's already started.

5. a garment for a child: if I make no other clothing for my girls this year (which is highly unlikely), I will be making a baptism dress for RG, who turns 8 in October. 

6. a project using only scraps: I recently discovered that I have a lot more felt than I realized before, and a good portion is scraps. We’ll be decorating the outside of the Christmas playhouse with felt. Scraps!

7. an accessory: my girls are really into accessories these days – that could be another family project.

8. something in an unfamiliar textile: the only fabrics I've sewn with are regular woven cotton, flannel and felt. Finding a new type of fabric will not be difficult. 

9. a project from a printed sewing pattern: I just got a couple of new paper patterns from Oliver+S.

10. a quilt or block for a swap: another one! I actually have 2 quilts started and it's my goal to get them both done this year. One is hobo rails, and the other is paper piecing.

11. a project from a PDF pattern: I've been eyeing Dana Willard’s shorts pattern. Now is as good a time as any. My girls usually wear skirts in warm weather but it wouldn't hurt them to have a couple of pairs of shorts as well.

12.  a bag or pouch: SM has not yet gotten her Bento tote bag for her ballet class.

13. a project you Pinned but haven’t done yet: I don't "pin" but I do have about 200 bookmarks for sewing projects.

14. applique or embroidery: I'm on E for the Sew All 26 challenge, and I was wanting to embroider something anyway. I haven't decided what yet but this embroidered jumper from Purl Bee has been on my list for forever. Perhaps its time has come.

15. something doll sized: MORE doll clothes? What the heck, I can teach SM to make them herself. (With scraps! #6!)

16. use an unfamiliar tool or machine: I will be soon introduced to the walking foot when working on my quilts.

17. a project using fabric you designed: this is the only one that has me stuck. There is a website called Spoonflower where you can design your own prints and they'll make it for you, but they are WAY out of my price range. Maybe I'll find a solid and draw or paint on it. That's the only thing I can think of so far.

I haven't made a list of specific items I want to sew this year, except the 2 quilts and RG's baptism dress. And to keep going on the Sew All 26 challenge. Mindy suggested that we try to get to Z this year but I don't think I'm going to lock that one into a time frame. Part of the appeal for me is that I'm NOT trying to get it done on a deadline - it gives me flexibility but keeps me moving forward. The quilts fit in with F and H so I'll be sitting here at the beginning of the alphabet for quite awhile.

And the other thing with all of this - except for designing my own fabric, buying white for RG's baptism dress, and possibly some fillers for the quilts ... all of it can be done with fabric I already have and is just sitting there. It's a stash-buster year! Hooray for not spending more money on projects, and hooray for getting stuff used and/or out of my house rather than just taking up space! (Note to self: stay away from the remnant bin at Hobby Lobby.)