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New Projects for the New Year?

VictoriaNorth | Posted in General Discussion on

What’s your sewing New Year’s resolution?


Edited 1/9/2009 1:17 pm ET by vicky_north

Replies

  1. Ceeayche | | #1

    1. Finish it! (whatever "it" is).  On time, with a minute to breath.

    2. Get my studio in order-- notice I'm not striving for clean, just in order.  I thrive on the happy chaos.  It's the disorder that drives me to distraction.

    3. Perfect five new skills (or take existing ones to a new level).

    4. Take a class.  For fun or to learn.  I'm happy with the discipline class gives me.  Really I am.  Really. 

    5. Cull the fabric stash and donate some where they will help somebody.

     

    1. CarolSewsAZ | | #4

      CHL,

      I really like your resolutions.  I am putting them on the bulletin board in my sewing studio in BIG letters, and we have a year to complete them, right?  That is definitely a goal for the new year.

      Right now, I am making aprons for some very dear friends.  I made them reversible as it made a nicer finished edge, so one side to coordinate with the kitchen and the other side in a holiday print.  I have a deadline so that will force me to finish them.

      Carol     

      1. Ceeayche | | #5

        Oooh Please share pics of your aprons if you have time!  I made aprons for friends in a women's group-- sort of emphasizing one our our tenets is to SERVE.  It was a fun project personalizing each of them.

  2. fabricholic | | #2

    Practice, welt pockets, bound buttonholes, and smocking.Marcy

  3. User avater
    rodezzy2 | | #3

    I have three projects in the cue, one is to make two wall hangings from tablecoths , (2) is to finish the quilts for the kids in the family (3) and I was just commissioned for a baby boy quilt from my one and only client. 

    But, first I've got to finish this purging mess!  2009 IS MINE!!!!! GIGGLE OUT LOAD!

  4. MarieCurie | | #6

    My New Year's sewing resolution is to learn how to sew trousers.

  5. DesignandSew | | #7

    Sew more often, sew something for myself, use my embroidery machine for something for myself.

  6. sewelegant | | #8

    I resolve to make that capsule wardrobe where the theory of 2 + 2 + 5 = 30.  Maybe then, I will be able to pack light with only a carry on bag!

     

    1. sewfar | | #9

      To sew more for myself and less for the grandchildren. Sewing for them is more fun and a lot less stressful. This grandmother of of 8 and one on the way is finding her closet pretty bare and dated these days but I have sure had fun with the wild PJ flannel prints for all and now I am eyeing doll cloths patterns instead of tackling my wardrobe! Sadly the dolls may soon have more wardrobe choices than than grandma.

  7. User avater
    ThreadKoe | | #10

    I am with CHL in the FINISH IT line. And then I move to the START IT line! I have too many projects lined up ready to go that need to be STARTED! Once I have the rest of the mess in my studio put away shortly, I am raring to go. Cathy

  8. terijo | | #11

    I will complete every unfinished or abandanded project in my studio!  I have vowed not to begin another until these pricks to my conscience have been eliminated.  I mean it!  Not one more piece of fabric that I cannot live without - not one too-good-to-pass-up bargain and not one single new commitment, until the dragon has been slain!  Aren't you proud of me?

  9. kimdesigns | | #12

    sew more than i shop!

  10. jlgrannie | | #13

    My resolution is to make a dent in my fabric storage.  One room is totally full.  I am a fabricolic to the max and need to make a dent so I can buy more!  Wish me luck as will take hours of sewing.  Thank goodness I have 12 grandchildren to sew for and 3 dgts+3dgt in laws.

    Joan in cold Ohio

  11. jane4878 | | #14

    Mine is to finish a ton of half started projects and use up my stash.  The first project is to make a velvet vest and a kilt for my 8 y.o. highland dancer.  I may still wimp out on the kilt, but I have the vest muslin already fitted and I'm ready to sew up the real one when some boning I ordered shows up.  I was pleasantly shocked when I found Tailor's Pride hair canvas at the local Fabricland. I need to hunt down waxless tailor's chalk for the kilt now.

    Jane

     

    1. User avater
      ThreadKoe | | #15

      Way to go Jane! Cathy

      1. jane4878 | | #16

        Thanks Cathy,

        Now to see if I can remain motivated.  I hope you're feeling better.  I've been stuck at work on a callback for 1.25 hours--really cuts into your evening.  I hope I can figure out how to sew in the boning.  The pattern says to sew it to the velvet/hair canvas.  The sewing line will be covered with silver braid at the end.  Farthingales.on.ca says you can sew through it.  We'll see.  It's the 1/2 inch German plastic boning.  It's not the most user friendly pattern and single sized which is a pain.  About $15 each as well. 

        Jane

         

        1. User avater
          ThreadKoe | | #17

          Jane, have you ever done boning before? The SewStylish Red Carpet issue has good info, if you can get your hands on it. Threads has a couple of good articles as well. There are a couple of good sites, if you look up sewing bustiers, that will pull up sites like Farthingales, and a couple other costumer sites that deal with sewing boning. It is a lot to go through, but I found the background info to be very helpful.
          I do not have any experience with sewing through boning. I have only made the channels with the seam allowances. I sewed the boning in place, by sewing alongside the boning with a zipperfoot. That way I could reinforce the ends, so the boning would not push through. The boning was in the inside of the garment, in the lined part of evening dresses.
          My fuzzy brain seems to recall someone who sews bustiers on this site. Cannot recall the subject, but can recall a red bustier. Perhaps she can be of some help if someone can recall who she is and what you might search under. Cathy

          1. jane4878 | | #19

            Cathy,

            I've only used Ridgelene before in a clutch purse and it sews through quite easily.  The boning and hook and eye tape arrived this a.m.  The boning is quite sturdy but looks thin enough to sew through.  I'll try a bit with a denim needle and see how it goes.  The tape is really heavy duty.  It has alternating hooks and eyes, it was expensive, but worth it when I see the quality of it.  I'd pay a LOT more money to avoid sewing hooks and eyes on!!  All the pressure is is on the front, so I'd like to get the tape attched to the boning if possible.  The Highland thread on Dance.net has some info.  Although they don't seem to know much about sewing.  There's a big discussion about using hair canvas vs. cotton canvas and one commented that you couldn't preshrink hair canvas.  Well I preshrank mine the same as you would wool.  The "cotton canvas" seemed a bit vague.  MacIssac's (Mackilts.com) use and sell cotton canvas, but I couldn't be bothered buying it online when I can easily find Tailors Pride. Also one of the commercial sights lines their vests with, what looks like, Ambience and they're saying it's poly satin.  I've read every inch of Fathingales--the corsets and costumes are amazing.  I do have the Red Carpet Sewstylish as well.

            Jane

          2. User avater
            ThreadKoe | | #20

            Go with the Ambiance lining! It will breathe better! I hate poly lining with a passion. Personal POV, I know, but I just prefer the rayon for the feel, and look, and ease of wearing. Silk would be my next best, if I could get it.
            Sounds like you have everything well at hand Jane. Stop thinking and get sewing Girl!
            This is a dance costume, and you seem to have it all figured out, for strength and durability. Now do a muslin of the pattern for the fitting of the vest! It will get your confidence up. You go Girl! Cathy

          3. sewingkmulkey | | #21

            I absolutely agree with your choice of Ambiance lining.  I save my coupons to JoAnn's Fabrics just to purchase Ambiance on sale in basic colors.  I even "splurge" and buy fashion colors of Ambiance at regular price as it's so worth it!

            Karen

          4. jane4878 | | #23

            I love Ambience too.  I have to order it on line--it's hard to find locally and expensive if I do find it.  The vest would probably be fine with cotton lining, but a jacket would be miserable--trying to get sweaty arms out of tight sleeves in a hurry.  I should try and get hold of Ambience swatches to make the online purchasing easier.

            Jane

          5. jane4878 | | #22

            Cathy,

            I do have silk, but I think the heat and the sweat would wreck it.  I may still use white ambience.  A lady at my church offered to give my some poplin that would be a better match.  What amazed me was that they didn't seem to know there was any other lining except poly satin (which would make a lousy lining--too hot, snags) and cotton. I'm a total novice and I know more then that.  I'm done thinking and the muslin--gotta find the time now!  I had 2 back-to-back meetings last night and I work and am on call this weekend.  Next week I get Tues and Fri off.  No rest for the wicked...  Now I'm having trouble getting hold of the braid and buttons without selling my children to pay for it.  I emailed a sight for it (on sale at $3.33 per yard and the buttons at $1 each) but they haven't responded.  I'll give them a second e-mail and then I'll go to another sight (highlandisland.com--they have the patterns).  That stupid braid varies from $3.33 USD per yd to $8 CAD per metre.  Tartantown in B.C. is the next cheapest.  I want sock garters and suspenders too and Tartantown doesn't have them.  I keep telling myself it could be worse--she could be in Irish dancing.  Dresses start at $1500 and all the wigs.  I could make those dresses though--I know how to draw the Celtic designs.

          6. User avater
            ThreadKoe | | #24

            Here in Canada, it is sometimes called Bemburg lining. That might make it easier to find. Some stores here do not know what Ambiance is. Some only know it as Rayon lining as well. The more names to call it by.....
            Is there a source back here for your trims, garters and stuff? If worse comes to worse, I can take a trip into town and ship back to you if you need. Cathy

          7. jane4878 | | #25

            Thanks Cathy,I should be OK. I don't really know of any places back East that aren't crazy expensive. The suspenders are a weird one--only used on the little hipless wonders so their kilt doesn't fall off. If my DD keeps eating and growing like she has been, she'll have a butt and won't need them. The best places are often booths at Highland Games, but it's not the season for those. I haven't really tried that hard with the lining. Fabricland had no purple lining the right colour, so I didn't bother asking. I have about 7 yards of white. The commercial vests and jackets at Tartantown all have white lining.Jane

          8. User avater
            ThreadKoe | | #26

            Ok. Keep me posted on your progress. I am cheering for ya! Cathy

  12. Hoodlum | | #18

    We all seem to intend to finish all the projects 'lurking' in our studios needing attention but you can add me to that list!

    I intend to 'shop' from my stash before I am allowed to buy any more fabric.

    I simply MUST evaluate my wardrobe and fill the gaps (and discard everything that has shrunk in the wardrobe). Then make a fabulous capsule wardrobe to make me the envy of my friends.

    And spend more time sewing than surfing!

    Happy New Year everyone - and lets hope we are all super productive this year!

    Kim

  13. cottonhead | | #27

    Buy a new machine that is electronic and hopefully embroiders!

  14. sewslow67 | | #28

    Cut my stash in half ...and I don't mean by giving it to the Goodwill.  The fabrics I have left after purging last year are all ones that I dearly love for all the right reasons, i.e. fiber, texture, color, right amount of yardage ...etc.  I know this is an ambitious resolution, but if we don't shoot for the stars, we end up on top of a mud pile ...and I'm not terribly fond of dirt.

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