Last week for the second year in a row I shared my quilt plans for the year, and as having a focussed list worked well for me I’ve decided to take a similar approach for my non-quilt sewing, which isn’t that catchy a phrase is it, but I think it’s better than ‘other makes’ - I guess as I grow into this and settle into what it is, a better name may present itself.
So what’s on my list?
It’s long (no surprise there!) and varied and covers the expected pouches, plus some garments I’ve had on my mental list for a while, some things for around the house and a bag or two. But really, the opportunities are endless, as it seems, is my list…
1 Pouches
You knew these had to be on the list as I’ve not hidden my love for them. I’ve already made many and I will make more, but this year I want to make:
smaller pouches to hold jewellery, both for storage and when travelling,
more project bags, I have a lot of projects and ideas for projects which will benefit from being stored together,
new styles and shapes of pouches and
generally just more pouches!
2 A ‘take to’ sewing case
One of the things about going to my sewing and patchwork groups is the need to remember to take the right stuff, which sometimes I manage but quite often I don’t. So one of my specific makes for this year will be to make myself a ‘take to’ sewing case to hold the things I need, and for that to either have duplicates of items, or specific spaces for things so it’s easy to work out what I need to grab before I go.
I saw the kind of thing I was after in an email newsletter some time last year. I knew it was a project for me as not only did I print the pattern and buy the supplies I didn’t have (which have been patiently waiting for me to get started), but I also planned how I could customise it to work for me, that’s likely to include at least another pouch, and potentially a thread catcher too.
I have the perfect material, and even better it’s already in my stash - it came from India, and seemed to fall into my basket when I was buying some printing blocks, like these things do!
3 A bag or two, or more
While I’ve plenty of those now seemingly ubiquitous canvas tote bags, sometimes I want something just a bit nicer to carry with me, so tote bags are on my list for this year and no doubt in a variety of sizes.
Alongside the totes I’ve also a few more specific ideas on my mental list, these include:
storage bags for our garden cushions, though this could be a mammoth task as the number of cushions to store appears to be ever growing (plus I think I may need to make some more cushion covers as well),
that drawstring bag for my Essex Linen kisses colourwash picnic rug,
a better sized pie carrier,
something to store the jelly strainer and associated paraphernalia that’s prettier and more practical than the cardboard box it came in.
4 Experimental and sewing for fun
This comes from an observation from my sewing last year which was very structured and dominated by the ‘stretch’ project and mystery block of the month quilt, and also from a quilt show and stash sale I went to where permission was granted to ‘sew for fun’ and for there to be ‘no set rules.’ I’ve no real idea where this will take me by the year’s end, but initial thoughts include:
testing new blocks, processes and materials and hopefully making something with whatever I make - actually I’ve already been playing with this, so look out for a post hopefully later this week,
picking up again my ‘insect and gauze’ embroidery and finishing that - the name will become clear when I share more, I promise!
a slightly wacky idea for using my ‘leaders and Enders’* - though I’m sure this will be much later in the year, as I need to build up ‘stock’
*these are the pieces of fabric I use to start off sewing when piecing patchwork, which just make sewing more continuous than having to cut the thread each time.
5 Patchwork design boards
These may not involve a whole lot of sewing, but they will help me layout my patchwork blocks so they can be moved more easily. I also think they should be easy to do, so I’m not sure why I haven’t done these yet - apart from the fact that I’ve managed to store what I need for these outside of my craft room, so I think it’s a case of out of sight, out of mind.
6 Some practical household items
I know, but I’m hoping these won’t be as dull as I’ve just made them sound - on this list is recovering a headboard and making a doorstop from sample fabric.
7 Wearables
Now this is a big one, and I’ve squeezed it into a single heading which may come back to bite me when I come around to my regular updates, or maybe it won’t - we’ll see.
It’s also lengthy, and while I did make a dress last year I haven’t made many clothes, as yet. I do however keep buying material for clothes as if I’m an exclusive fashion house, so the sewing needs to start.
On my list to make is:
more versions of the dress I’ve already made, so far I’ve fabric for two denim dresses and one corduroy one, so that’s likely to keep me busy alone. But on the plus side I’ve already made one, so hopefully that will speed things along once I get started, and I do enjoy wearing the one I’ve made.
some wide legged culottes - at least one pair, especially now I have an invisible zipper foot after a sourcing saga.
a summer-weight dressing gown for both me and MOH using saris. I have the saris, and I’ve even cut mine out, I just need to get brave and start sewing.
I’ve a sundress pattern I want to try, as well as a dress with a frill - plus a more structured linen fitted dress, for when my skills have advanced.
I’ve also got a longer term wish to make myself a quilted jacket, but my list is already long and time is short, so who knows how far I’ll get. I most likely won’t get anywhere near to finishing this list, but then again the accountability a list gives me could be just what I need - along with some sewing bravery - hopefully once I start I’ll build some momentum.
I hope you’ll hang around to see how I get on as I share progress (or lack of) throughout the year.