2012 Goals

I missed you online sewing world!  I haven't been blogging lately because I haven't been sewing.  And I don't have any pictures yet of the last Christmas items I wanted to post about.  Where did my mojo go?  I think it got lost while I was doing my new year cleaning (much like spring cleaning, but without the beautiful weather) :(

My sewing room is just about straightened up from the craziness that was holiday sewing, and I'm even getting the fabric stored upstairs in our spare room better organized as well.  And I've rotated the spring/summer fabrics downstairs and put flannel/corduroy to rest.  Because--let's be honest--I'm not going to get any more winter sewing done before our spring hits in a month or two!

So I'm at least 2 weeks behind the rest of the blogging community in doing a new year post, but that's okay.  I really want to be more focused in my sewing efforts, so I am setting some goals for this year.  So here they are:

1.  Use my stash, and ONLY my stash.  The one exception to this is that I really want to get some sock monkey print for applique.

See--it's looks like a *real* sock monkey!

There are a bunch of cute sock monkey appliques, like these by Designs By Juju.  I know I could use a different print to make them, but I really want to use this fabric!

2.  Sew for myself more.  This has not been a priority, since I have spent a lot of time in the past few years looking like this:

I want to sew all kinds of things (button-up shirts, knit tops, dresses, skirts), but have my lone Jalie pattern on my "must-do" list.

Doesn't it look comfy?

I bought the scarf collar top and really want to try it out before purchasing more Jalie patterns.  Not because I doubt that it will be good, but because I need to sew more than I spend.

 3.  Sew some independent patterns.  I don't hate the big 4, but I have seen some really cute designs in the blogosphere and I want to try some of them.  My friend Nicky made a super cute coat for her daughter using "The Abbey Jacket" pattern on Etsy, and I have been in love with some designs from LilyBirdStudios for a while.

Danielle would look darling in some little cuffed shorts

Coles Corner & Creations always has the cutest clothes from a bunch of different designers.  One of my new favorites is the reversible hooded vest she made recently.  I have some fleece taking up too much space in my closet, so these are on my to-do list for the fall for both kids.  I had a hooded vest for Danielle when she was about a year old and LOVED it for the weather here in the south.  It's just right for layering.

Oh, and I also have almost 2 years worth of Ottobre magazines now, and have only sewn one item.  To be fair, I was waiting for Danielle to fit in the middle size range since I didn't want to sew the baby clothes.  But, she's been in that range since last summer, I better get to it!

The little gingham dress would be great for summer
with a different top underneath

4.  Finish up my UFOs (UnFinished Objects).  I had my projects organized in baskets, stored in a hanging sweater organizer in my sewing room.  Well, it only holds 6 baskets, and I don't even know how many projects I have cut out or in the works, but it's much more than 6!  I'm going to tackle this goal first and get back to where my projects are queued up in baskets.  It will help me stay focused and keep my sewing room neater.  In addition to my UFOs, I have some projects that I need to get done ASAP for various reasons (leftovers from holiday sewings, kids have a need for it now, etc...) 

The goal: 6 of these project
baskets, and no more!

A brief version of my finish-it-up list (so I can track and be accountable for it):

• PJ pants for MIL: Done, but I didn't take a picture
• 2 pairs PJ pants for myself: These are being pushed to my fall 2012 sewing since I got so behind I don't need them for a while
• PJ shirts for twins
• Shopping cart cover for Samuel
• Apron for me
• Treasure shirt for my mom: Also pushed to fall since it's a long-sleeved tee
• Ballet barrettes for Danielle

If I get all those things accomplished, I will feel a big weight lifted and will get some yardage out of my room (pajama pant fabric takes up a decent amount of space!)

So there you have it, my goals for the new year!  Sew from my stash, sew for myself, sew some indie patterns and get my projects to a manageable level.  Wish me luck! :)