Sewing Hiatus

Surprise, surprise!  I did not reach the goal I set for myself for sewing In January.  However, I did come close.  Both the brown and the black pants were finished in January as well as a tee top for each.  So, I completed four garments this month.  I did not fit a jacket pattern as I planned.  In fact, I did not even choose a jacket pattern.  I will leave that to a later date. 

The pants were made using Eureka! Pants that Fit pattern by Fit for Art Patterns.  The tee tops were made using the Anything But Basic Tee by DIBY Club.  My pattern was a combination of several sizes and I may need to tweak the pattern a little more the next time I use it.  I think I need a little more room in the sleeve and the armscye needs to be a little lower.  Pictures of the four garments are shown below.

 

I am now considering what I could do in February.  I want to be realistic, so I have decided to do absolutely no sewing at all.  I know that sounds a little drastic, but I am not giving up on sewing.  I am simply taking a sewing hiatus.  I am going to be busy with other things, so I doubt I would have time to sew much of anything.  So, I think this is the perfect time for me to take a break from sewing. 

During this pause from sewing, I can use the time to do some research on sewing topics to hone my skills.  Indeed, this will be an ideal time to watch some of those many sewing videos I own but have never watched.  It would also be an ideal time to study some of those on-line classes I have that haven’t been started yet.  And it would be the perfect time to plan what I want to sew for the next several months. 

I realize I will not be able to do all this in the month of February, but that doesn’t really matter.  I will do as much or as little as I want while at the same time I will be relaxing with my husband and just enjoying life!

I hope you will do the same.  Sew when you want, but don’t forget to enjoy life with those you love!

Judy

 

 

Getting Started in the New Year

I decided to make myself get moving again on a sewing project.  I didn’t do much sewing the last two months of 2021.  I had no interest and no will power to sew.  I did make a few potholders and dish towels, but nothing that required much thinking.  I finally finished the brown pants that I started a while ago.  They were finished except for adding the waistband and hemming them.  When I put them on, I discovered they did not fit.  I had to take apart the side seams and rip out the pockets.   I took off some of the side seams before reattaching the pockets and resewing the seams.  I added the waistband and then hemmed the pants.  On New Year’s Day, I made the buttonhole and sewed the button.   I feel like I made those pants twice; however, the pants are finally finished and ready to wear!

I also cut out pants from a black wool-blend fabric.  I looked through my stash and chose some fabrics for tops to coordinate with my new brown pants and some that will work well with the black pants I just cut out.  I am not fond of cutting out garments, so I am thinking if I can get several garments cut, maybe it will be easier to get started sewing them. 

What are your sewing plans for the new year?  People spend time at the beginning of the year planning things like budgets, house redecorating, and vacations.  Maybe those of us who enjoy sewing should spend some time planning our sewing.  If we actually created a plan, we could probably have a better coordinated wardrobe and add pieces before we needed them.  I know if I need a garment and don’t have time to make it at the last minute, I get desperate and buy something that doesn’t fit properly and something I don’t really like!

I have a short-range plan that covers my sewing for the month of January.   My goal is to sew the black pants and cut and sew one top that coordinates with them.  I also plan to cut and sew a top that coordinates with the brown pants I just finished.  I would like to find a jacket pattern and alter it to fit me.  That should be enough for January.

If I am successful and finish those projects early, maybe I will have some time to make a sewing plan that covers two or three months.  You will notice I am not calling these plans a new year’s resolution.  That is because most resolutions are broken before January even ends.  If I am just making plans to sew things, I can probably rearrange my schedule to see those plans to fruition.  I may not feel the pressure that is brought to bear when new year’s resolutions are made.  And this plan is measurable.  If I resolve to sew more in 2022, I have no easy way to measure that.  On the other hand, if I say I am going to make certain items during the month, I can easily see if that goal is reached.

I hope you will make a plan to sew whatever you like in the coming year.  Put your plan in writing!  It will be easier to follow, and you can track your progress.  If planning a whole year overwhelms you, plan a month at a time.  Good luck with your plan!

Judy