Monday, December 30, 2013

Planning for 2014

I'm actually quite thrilled with how my sewing has progressed this past year.  I've learned a lot, I've created a lot and I can't wait to 'do it again' next year.

There's a few things I want to focus on...

1)  Bust my Stash

Seriously people, I've only been 'seriously' sewing since February of last year.  But I have probably over 700 yards of fabric.  No, that is not a typo... 700.  Oh, and I also own (between 'standard' patterns and my Burda subscription) about 1000 patterns.  I... have...a...problem.

So, my goal for next year is to blow through this stash.  No new fabric, unless it's for a special project - like a Christmas dress, or I need a scrap of this or that to finish an existing project.

2) Finish my UFO's

I have a LOT of these too.  Some just need something simple like the buttons sewn on.  Really, that's all.  My goal for the next few months is to finish one UFO for each 'full' project I do, until the UFO's are gone.

3) Don't buy RTW

I know right, why would anyone who has 700 yards of fabric buy something off the rack.  Well... heh, I've done it.  So, this year I've joined goodbyevalentino in her Ready-to-Wear Fast.  I'll not be buying any Ready-to Wear clothes for the entire year - 2014!  Now there's a few things I need to learn to make this a reality, first and foremost, now to sew pants.  I think that'll probably be my January project.

I'm also going to have to learn to alter as I have plans to make some changes in my body shape over the next year.  Radical weight loss is on the agenda (in a safe and sane way) and I want to make sure I'll still be able to wear some of my favorite clothes when I come out the other side.

I'm also toying with the SewWithAPupurpose 2014 challenge at  artisansquare this could be very important if I want to stay away from RTW items.  I need to sew things that can go together!

Some other things I want to tackle this year:

a fitted jacket
a 'real' corset
panties
a swimsuit

Let the games begin!!



Wednesday, December 25, 2013

My Christmas dress

I decided in the middle of the day that I wanted to make a dress to wear to the Brian Setzer concert that I was going to that night. So, I went to the fabric store, picked up some fun Christmas fabric and went for it. Luckily I had a tried and true pattern already (vogue 8797) that I knew would go together quickly and I had already altered to fit. I changed the neckline on this version by just free handing tracing/cutting right on the fabric and adjusting as I sewed and did final fitting. 

There are a few 'issues' with it. Some places where I would have ripped and resewn had I had more time but overall I was thrilled with it. And the dress got the reaction I had hoped for at the concert (and walking down the street). One friend said I looked like a present which is exactly what I had been going for.