2016 New Years Re-SEW-lutions

My latest Craftsy.com post addresses setting New Year's resolutions, or re-sew-lutions, geared specifically to the sewer. Here is the link: 2016 Re-sew-lutions. Of course, when writing the post I had my own resolutions in mind. Just like everything else in life the new year is a great time to look back on what was, or more likely wasn't, accomplished last year as a basis for what the next year's objectives may be.

Most of the items on the post I have as on my own personal list of resolutions. There are a few more however I would like to add. Just as the post reads, cleaning my sewing studio is at the top of my list, too. My daughter's wedding, or should I say weddings! last year took a toll on my sewing space. In the rush to get everything done for the wedding shower, the wedding in Italy and then the American reception that followed, on top of writing assignments and teaching, my sewing space is in complete disarray. In my haste to keep my sewing table clear I haphazardly stuffed containers and drawers so that now everything is out of place. I can't find anything!

So, while I have a brief pause before my rush of teaching, writing, and sewing begins again, my first order of business is to reorganize all my fabric stash, and sewing supplies.  If I hope to be more productive in 2016 it has to start with a space where everything is in its proper place.

Another resolution I deem to be rather important is that I want 2016 to be a year where I finally sew more for myself.  Wow, it's hard to believe I even have to list this as a resolution, but the fact of the matter is though I sew almost everyday I am seldom sewing for myself.  I can't tell you how many pieces of fabric I have purchased with specific patterns or designs in mind, but never seem to get around to making them. Something always seems to interrupt my intentions. No more! I have made a preliminary list of items I want to make and will hopefully finally get to sew them. After all, what's the point of possessing this skill if I can't use it to my own advantage.  

If you are at all like me you've purchased oodles of classes from Craftsy.com. I'm  a sucker for buying them when they go on sale, especially at the $19.99 price, so now I have a boatload of them. The problem is I buy them but then don't watch them. Who does that?  So, this month and probably the next, I will commit myself to binge watching as many as I can and not purchase anymore until I have watched them all.  

It's already two weeks into the year and so far I'm on track. Can you say the same?

 

Pillows From Mom

The holidays can be especially tough after a loved one has recently passed. That was the case for my niece Carol whose mother passed away earlier in the year after a long illness. To help keep her mother's spirit a part of the season she asked me to make pillows and scarves out of some of her mother's favorite clothing items. They would be presents to her two sisters, her son and daughter, as well as her nieces and nephews. Just a little something to keep their mother's and grandmother's memory alive. It was such a lovely and heartfelt request I simply could not refuse her.

For the girls pillows were made in a variety of throw-types sizes from a couple of favorite sweatshirts and fleece jackets. I also made several small sachet-style ones filled with lavender.  For the boys I made gaiters out of a favorite fleece jacket. They all turned out nicely and I hear all were well received with lots of tears and smiles.