2013 sewing plans

Regarding the Communion dress – I have a photo of myself in my First Communion dress that my great-aunt made me – all the other little girls had these elaborate store-bought dresses, and my mother had my aunt make me a very simple A-line dress with lace running down the front. Really, it was beautiful in it’s simplicity.

Needlewoman – thanks for the thoughts on the quilting that I’m hopefully going to attempt. I actually have some pre-cuts on order – Aneela Hoey’s new Posy line that I’m VERY excited for -and am planning something from that. I think the daunting part to me is not the piecing – it’s what the heck to do after that….the actual quilting, binding, etc. That’s where I have no clue what to do…..I have a couple of books I bought many years ago, and will look through Flickr, some blogs that I’ve bookmarked to get me started. I’m really looking forward to it, actually….

Brilliant, to all of the above!!!! I love Aneela Hoey’s stuff!! I have a full FQ set of the Into the Woods collections which I can’t wait to get started on; trouble is I keep changing my mind.

Julia, the basting, quilting, and the binding is the more challenging bit of quilting, there’s no denying it? Do you know any quilting friends who can give you a hand when you get to that part. It can be a lot like learning to knit; it’s a lot easier when you have someone guiding you. I taught my self with Debbie Mumm’s patterns – mainly because her block patterns of about 15 yrs ago pointed out where to quilt – mainly stitch in the ditch, or outline quilting. To do this day, I can’t do free-hand quilting to save my life. Make sure you have a walking foot and a quarter inch foot. The first is essential to quilting, the second makes all assembling with patchwork a million times less frustrating. The two best tools I ever bought!!

Be back when I’ve seen pics.

I see I’m not the only one eagerly awaiting Aneela Hoey’s Posy line. I have been saving my pennies and can’t wait for it to be released! 2013 will definitely incorporate some Posy’s! 🙂

Jane

http://www.NotSewPlain.blogspot.com

Your welcome needlewoman, putting the pics up gave me something to go when I wasn’t feeling well a couple of days a ago. I’ve started on this years sewing goals, 2 things from my WIP (WHS, work has stalled/stopped) pile.

Well, more than half the year is gone and I certainly have not done 7 pattern busts. I have gone comfier with piping, which was one goal, and I am about halfway through a gruesomely ugly skirt for myself, as well as two tshirts for myself. I am thinking back to my first knitted and sewn items and how horrendous they were and feeling the gruesome skirt/tshirts are not at all bad by comparison.

Just traced off my first Roller Skate, (size 4), and my first Bubble dresses ( 6mth and 18mth), and wait, there’s more – just ordered 6 paper patterns c/o of the Summer Sale. So pleased to be able to get such a great bargain. Especially for the other sizes of patterns – like the Family Reunion Dress – that I already have and found so easy to sew that I’m not too intimidated by sewing smaller ones. Lashed out on the Pinwheel frock too. With the Aussie summer in view (well, it is if you take the long view), I can see that one thrilling some older girls.

As to plans, I want to make some quilts, but it’s hard to get on with them when there are so many delicious kids’ clothes to sew. But I must!!!

I’m bit late for 2013 plans but I’ll get in on the last half! It’s been a while since I’ve really gone shopping for my girls but this spring due to my health (a nasty respiratory virus that left me worn out and playing catch up in ALL areas of my life) and the help of some gift cards my 8yo and I went shopping for most of her summer clothes. I wasn’t thrilled with the fit and fabric quality but we were able to find some things to get her through the season. A mere 2 months later and the RTW pieces have shrunk in odd places making them fit even worse, the colors have faded terribly and seams are fraying while the few things I was able to sew are still going strong.

That said, I am committed to sewing most if not all of her fall/winter wardrobe. I’m working on putting together a SWAP that is realistic for me to get done and is mix and match to get the most use out of the fewest things. Between my experience this summer and the growing awareness of the true cost of cheap clothing I’m also going to be doing the “boring” things that in the past I have bargain hunted for. Things like leggings and layering tees, and undershirts.

Is anyone else thinking about the next season yet? I’d love to hear how you plan things out (or not).

I think I’ve done pretty well. I didn’t make the advent calendar (maybe next year!) but I did get comfy with piping, and now have two Everyday Skirts which I love and wear often. I have definitely busted 12 patterns since January, as well as a long-planned garment, the Paddington school days coat, finally getting made. My goals for next year … well, actually I’ll post a 2014 thread so we can find them again at the end of next year and see how we did.