Wednesday, June 17, 2009

The Sewing List

Marji wrote a post about how she loves lists. I do also. I make yearly lists, dailey lists, and sewing lists. I'm much more likely to get something done if it's on "the list". Yes, I do get many of the things I write on a list done. Since I tend to make ambitious lists (There is sooo much I want to do and so little time to do them.), I seldom cross everything off my list but the lists help a lot. At the beginning of this year, I gave a lot of thought to what I was doing with my sewing. There were two major problems:

1. I tried to do projects way beyond my sewing skills and became frustrated.
2. I had a lot of trouble staying focused on a project -probably related to #1.

My solution was to make a sewing list of no more than 15 projects that includes garments that either increase basic skills leading up to a tailored jacket or coat by the end of the year, decrease my wonderful stash, or add to basic wardrobe needs. Yea, I know....just about any garment can fall into one of those categories. That's o.k. - at least I know why it goes on the list. The probablity that it will be done is much higher. Every season I add 4 coordinated garments that are made from stash fabric. I'm also a mood sewer. One day I feel like sewing on red or another color. One day I'm ready to take on a fitting or sewing challenge and another day I just want to sew and see quick results. I wish that I could be more like others and start and finish a project before I start another. That seems more productive on the surface but doesn't work very well for me. So, my sewing list contains and focuses somewhat. I have to chose something from the list to sew depending on the mood of the day. While I would like to be more productive, the list has helped.

Here's my current sewing list:
1. Denim pull-on pants with jean topstitching - in preparation for making a "real" pair of jeans.
2. Black Pants - a wardrobe need.
3. Green Linen Jacket - Spring wardrobe and sewing an unlined jacket
4. Green Linen Skirt - Spring wardrobe and putting in an invisible zipper
5. Brown Silk pants - Spring wardrobe
6. Jeans muslin - hopefully wearable - from mid-range priced fabric in case it's terrible
7. Olive/Multi blouse - wardrobe need
8. Green Knit Top - wardrobe need and easy project
9. Purple Dress - wardrobe need and easy project
10. Red/white/Black Knit Dress - wardrobe need and easy project
11. White Dress - fitted and lined dress
12. Tailored jacket - lined jacket
13. Cardigan jacket - fit a new knit jacket and wardrobe need

That really is enough to keep me busy. I will add 4 co-ordinated summer garments soon. I won't list the other projects that keep spinning around in my head. After all, I do need to remain somewhat focused!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm not a list maker, but I have a horrible problem staying focused. I flit around from one thing to another and can't finish anything.Maybe if I made a list? Ha.. Ha.......

gwensews said...

I have a notebook and a list for everything. If it's not written down, I may forget it. Blame it on my age!

Becky said...

Haha, I can definitely relate to that "mood sewing" thing. If I'm not in the mood to work on something and would rather do something else, it's hard to stay on task!

BConky said...

Great list. I hope you get it all finished this year.

Marji said...

Finally I got back online, and have, as promised, linked back to your list post.
How are you doing on your sewing goals?