As you might have noticed from my sewing expo photos, I have several projects that need to be finished and I’m excited to start working on some fun things for myself and for our house (too often I only make things for other people). Of course I have to have a list (if you know me, you know I am obsessed with lists and spreadsheets) of what my sewing priorities are to see what I need to accomplish and when I’ll have time for more fun projects for me. Well…one big sewing goal I had this year was to end the year with no unfinished projects from 2012 (or before). In addition to that, I have some birthday gifts and other gifts I have promised people I would make. I started by writing down all the gifts and projects with deadlines that I need to get done this year:
- 3/24/13 Pernell’s Quilt
- 3/24/13 Carolyn’s Baby Gift
- 3/31/13 Natalie’s Baby Gift
- 4/19/13 Gwen’s 2nd Tshirt Quilt
- 5/14/13 Emma’s 2nd Bday Bed Quilt (if Corine wants one)
- 6/6/13 Addi’s 2nd Bday Bed Quilt
- 8/13/13 Mom’s 50th Bday Quilt
- 9/13/13 Greyson’s 1st Bday Chevron Blankie
In addition to all those gifts, I have some open projects – things people have sent me to turn into quilts for them with no deadline and I just haven’t gotten around to them yet.
- Aunt Beth’s Tshirt Quilt
- Brandy’s Tshirt Quilt
- Alpha Phi Alumnae Tshirt Quilt for the house (although I think I still need more shirts)
- Alpha Phi Letter shirts
- Two Hand stitched quilt tops from my Aunt Barb that need to be repaired and then hand-quilted
Plus my unfinished projects and things I want to try based on what I learned at the expo:
- Use the longarm quilt sample I made in the backfills class to make something (maybe a project carrying case or a portable ironing surface or something)
- Make a pillow form for the pink & black bobbin embroidery pillow case I made
- Add a cute zipper pull and some embellishment to the pink & teal purse I made
- Finish the tumbling leaves quilt
- Make each of the four purse patterns I bought at the expo
- Make my own quilting “sampler” to try to replicate the skills I practiced on the Gammill long arm
- Use my bejeweler and crystals to do a project with some bling
- Make appliqued or embroidered tea towels using new methods and stabilizers I learned about
- Use the pantograph sample I made at the expo to make something
- Finish the “Jiggling Jelly Rolls” baby quilt I started
- Use my notes from the expo and my double wedding ring template to attempt to make placemats or a table runner
Last but not least there are a few projects I’ve been hoping to work on or complete for over a year and haven’t done much about it:
- Recover the outdoor patio furniture
- Finish the guest room drapes and recovering the chair
- Make a cover/curtains for the quilt machine
Wowzers! That’s 16 quilts plus numerous other general sewing projects. I’d say I’m going to have to be a little more diligent about making time for my sewing if I’m going to get all that done. Especially if I still want to do mostly handmade Christmas gifts this year.
