sHappy New Year everyone! It's a Festivus miracle. I've started my first (well second) project of the new year. The first project, a skirt, was a complete dog. It was a UFO from last year and should have stayed as such. Ah well, live and learn.
The second project, Amy Butler's Feather Your Nest, has been born of necessity. You see, my crazy dogs decided to eat the really cheap comforter that is on the bed. Yes, you read that right -- eat it. All it took was a breach of the poorly sewn squares for them to discover that the comforter was filled with cheap batting that resembles.... fiberfill. Yep, a gigantic dog toy. Ah well, it was gross and needed to be replaced, much like everything made of cloth in my home. So, I started on a new quilt that has minimal quilting (thank you Amy!!)

For my fabric I chose Nigela which is a home dec weight fabric from Ms. Butler herself. I was amazed when picking fabrics to discover that my gigantic stash of Nigela was quite depleted. I do have enough, however, to complete my quilt. This really is quite simple to make -- the top consists of two large blocks of fabric (I didn't have enough of any one fabric to do this, so I made four blocks using four fabrics -- so quilty). The borders are simply long strips, one on each side (again, not enough fabric, so two strips per side -- I'm quilting now!!).

I have one more side strip to sew on and then it's time to miter the corners (groan!). The back of the quilt will actually be one solid color, which is, again, a Festivus miracle. And for my batting? Fleece in a goofy Christmas print that will never get used for anything else (one of those "what was a I thinking? purchases). Once I finish this one, I plan to make another out of quilting cotton in a biker motif. And yeah, I'm using small stitches to hold this thing together.
And now on to other business:
I've been thinking a lot about my plans for 2010, sewing and otherwise. "Resolutions" do not really work for me, so I don't make them. Looking back on 2009, I realize that I spent the year flitting from one thing to the next. This is what happens when you don't have a plan. So, I decided 2010 would be spent doing
LESS. That's it. That's the big one.
So, what do I mean by less. I realize that I'm a sucker for busyness. It's stupid, but true. So, LESS. Less spending. Less "doing". Less accumulation. Less pride. Yes, I said it, less pride. It's true. You see, I realize that it was pride that made me decide 3 years ago that retail was evil and I should only wear clothing that I made myself. What I didn't consider was the fact that I work a full time job and commute. Yeah, I made a lot of stuff last year, but it certainly wasn't enough to fill a closet when the other things were wearing out just as quickly due to hard use. The only result of trying to do it all was a house badly neglected that is now driving me insane. So, I took a very large slice of humble pie and a incredibly generous gift of Coldwater Creek and got myself some work clothes. Thanks to their end of season clearance (I was using a 70% code while the site was still at 60% off), I was able to put together a pretty decent work wardrobe and get rid of some of this pressure. Yes, I now have a decent wardrobe that fits my position in a corporate environment and am going to return to professional dress -- still business casual without all the casual, that reflects my age.
I still can't believe I found clothes that fit me and are appropriate for my profession. Where has Coldwater Creek been all these years? Of course, I do owe a debt of gratitude to sewing for making this all possible. You see, I was able to take my knowledge of fabric and put it to good use since I was shopping online. I also approached that size chart without fear. I may not know my retail size, but I certainly know my measurements! (the real ones, not the pretend measurements). Worked like a charm. I got clothes that fit and fit well, with beautiful princess seaming where needed and lovely fabrics. I got dresses with hems that end right below my knee which is where they should be on me. And get this -- pants that fit! That's right, I said pants that fit! For the first time ever! I'm going to have to tweak the waistband of the ponte knit pencil skirt that I got, but the natural waist pants? Score!!!
Now, before you give me the "tut, tut -- you signed up for Wardrobe Refashion for life" look, I'll tell you that clothes for work do not violate the pledge. Nor do specialty items (i.e. ski clothes). Sure, we are to try to make or refashion all those things, but it's not necessary. It only took me 3 years to realize that you have to have a base wardrobe before you go off on crazy adventures like trying to make all your clothes for work and play, while trying to work and play. Humble pie. But this humble pie is also going to allow me to return to sewing for play. I plan to begin this year sewing for my home. It needs help. It's neglected. The window treatments have been in place for 10 years. The pillows are flat and faded. It's time. I also want to spend some time sewing for my goddaughter. What good is a collection of Farbenmix patterns if I'm not going to use them? And yes, I'll sew for myself. But having a base wardrobe allows me to venture into new areas like lingerie.
So there you have it. A plan for 2010, with a slice of humility on the side. Nice.