Friday, January 2, 2015

Resolutions, Goals...Whatev

2014 sewing goals:

1) I entered and WON a Pattern Review contest
2) I managed the Vintage contest and got a free pattern out of the deal! (I chose the Sewaholic Minoru)
3) I did not buy a new machine; wait, technically I did! Ha! I got the vintage Kenmore ;-p
4) I did not make real welt pockets on any garment and decided shifty fabrics were kicked out of the stash
5) I made a lined jacket (or 3!). I made my Burda coat but want to make a traditional one
6) I learned to do lapped zippers! yeah!!! And my top-stitching is ace now.
7) I do not covet what is "popular" sewing. I can admire it and know that it isn't really for me.
8) Err, what did I say about buying patterns? I added a ton of patterns to the stash in 2014. oops.
9) WHAT?!?! I said I would be better about buying fabric too? Lies. All lies.

A little mixed bag there :)

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2015...I had to think a little about what I wanted to accomplish this year.

1) A new sewing machine
I still want a new machine and am thinking a Janome might be what I want. It will probably still be months before I make that purchase - my lovely offspring are seriously expensive people! ;-) Now that I've finally USED the Kenmore to construct a garment, and I got a free desk that should be strong enough to hold it, I will probably incorporate it more into my sewing.

2) New techniques
I have to get over the welt pocket fear. I mean, that whole 'slicing into my fabric' thing is kinda scary.

3) Using my Burda mags
 I treated myself to a Burda subscription and will plan to sew a Burda a month. I want to ensure I use them and not just have them around collecting dust.

4) Patterns
I HAVE TO slow down on pattern purchases!!! Seriously. No, I'm really serious!!! I'm up to 453 not including duplicates (I maintain my stash on Pattern Review).

5) Fabric
Again, I hope to be a little more judicious and not buy all.the.things.! I won a membership to Julie's Picks for this year and hope it doesn't end up making me go even crazier with fabric acquisitions.

6) Budget
I NEED TO SET MY SEWING BUDGET AND STICK TO IT. Eesh. Westmoon at Confessions of a Sewing Novice got me thinking hard about expenditures and while I'm not exactly spending the rent money on sewing, I know I spend more than I mentally budget for.

7) Personal goal related to sewing
I have to lose weight. I was recently diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my knees and my rheumatologist says I need to drop some pounds. Sadly (funnily??), one of my first thoughts was BUT WHAT ABOUT MY SEWING?!?! So for my sake, hopefully you'll see a little less of me around here.

8) Documentation
Recording my projects. I took advantage of a sale last month and got the 110 Creations sewing journal. I hope to use it to record all of my projects this year because too often I cannot remember specifics when I go back to work on something for the second time.

9) Jeans
This was going to be a goal for 2015. I'm terribly excited to sew more jeans this year though!!!!


sneaky peek!

10) Progression
I have accepted/decided/etc that I am a fast sewer. I joked all through Project Runway that I am 'Kini's sister from another mister'! Hahaha! 

I don't necessarily feel like I HAVE to sew less - I don't have any kind of issue with my output. Going into year 3 of sewing, I just want to think a little more about what I sew and how it will fit into my wardrobe. I want to tackle larger projects (like these jeans) that require some planning and time. 

Obviously, you can't beat a quickie project for mojo boosting or sewing something because you just REALLY want to sew that thing!! Those types of projects won't go away but I don't want that to be the majority of my sewing.

I will be taking that bodice sloper class this spring and hope that my first project using my sloper will be a shirtdress.

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Lastly, as I said last year (or really, earlier this year because I posted goals on my "Sewing Anniversary"), the blog will remain as is.

I need want my blog to just be a true reflection of me. It HAS to just be my voice. I'm not trying to be  "a blogger". I have no desire to monetize or teach (sorry! I stink at teaching others!) or become a "pattern tester" or anything like that.  I post a lot sometimes; but never because I feel like I "need" to post. Blogging really doesn't take a lot of time because I just do it. Maybe it's because I'm a fast typer too? lol!!! No, I really do type like 85 words per minute (thanks mom!).

I'm not providing content, I'm just being me.

Because really, I just want to sew and share my sewing projects with other sewers who are crazy in love with sewing like me!! (how's THAT for a run-on sentence!?)

HAPPY 2015!!!!!!!!!