Sewing Resolutions? So Far, So Good

I made eight sewing resolutions for 2018, and I am happy to report that I have done two of them, made progress on a third and am starting on a fourth. That’s half my goals – and we are only 20% of the way through the year!

Resolution #1: So far, so good. I have done zero sewing contests and sewalongs for far this year. I was very tempted. Sewcialists had a “Sew Stripes” sewalong, The Monthly Stitch was on a “Flora and Fauna” kick,” and PatternReview.com had two cool contests – “Match Your Shoes” and a 6-piece capsule wardrobe. I had the fabrics and patterns picked out for all of these, and then I said “nope.” My priorities did not align with these events.

My top priority was to fit pants so I could move on to making jeans (resolution #2). This remains frustratingly undone. (Cue the sad trombone music.) I am passing on pants for now. But the year is young! I want to take another stab at it later in the year, with a better pattern to work from.

Skip ahead on the list to resolution #6. Done! I am going to PatternReview Weekend in Stratford, Ontario, Canada June 1 & 2. (OK, technically this isn’t done until I’ve actually been to the event, but it’s all booked and paid for, so I am calling it a win.) I’m really excited to connect with sewists I’ve known only by their makes and comments on that site. And I am up for some shopping and sight-seeing too. We’re planning a vacation around it, to see Toronto, Niagara Falls and parts of New York state.

Resolution #7 is done. I visited two charity shops and upcycled items I bought into Pussyhats for the Women’s March in January. I didn’t find any yardage or nice sewing supplies at either place, but I tried. Now I know that they’re probably not great resources for a big project, but they’re perfect for upcycled work.

Resolution #8 is in progress. I wanted to make something for my mother as thanks for the nice sewing materials she bought me for Christmas. She wants me to make her a cold-shoulder top for summer. She’s mailing me some pictures from catalogs and magazines, as well as her measurements. I will need to pick out a pattern and sew it for her once we decide what to do. Luckily, the Big 4 went overboard on this craze, and cold-shoulder looks abound in the pattern catalogs.

As for the other resolutions…

Holding firm on #5, making fewer damn mistakes. I didn’t make so many mistakes with what I’ve done so far this year, but then again, I haven’t made much. Way too early to declare victory on this.

For #3 – the embroidery unit’s still snug in its box. I was thinking of taking a class on it at the dealer this summer. The classes are always in the middle of the week, so I’d need to use a vacation day. I’m holding off for now. I need a project to tie this to, or it won’t happen.

Finally, #4 will have to wait for May. I think I can wear at least one me-made thing every day, as long as we’re talking tops, dresses, skirts and jackets – not whole outfits because of the aforementioned pants problem.

How are your resolutions coming along so far?

Author: shoes15

I live in Connecticut, USA with my husband and my dog, in an old house outfitted with a sewing room, a garden, an orchard, and a big liquor cabinet. View all posts by shoes15