It'll light a fire under my keister, because I hate not following through on something I've said I'll do.
I've ID'd seven sewing goals I want to crush in 2017, from sewing patterns to boning up on sewing knowledge. I think seven is a realistic number — not too many and not too few.
I bought this gent's shirt pattern in February 2016, promising my hubs a new button-down shirt. He's a tall, skinny dude, so RTW shirts for him often are too short (size medium) or too wide (size large).
2.) Read "High-Fashion Sewing Secrets from the World's Best Designers" by Claire Schaeffer
I scored
this sewing book at a thrift store this fall. It's subtitled "A Step-by-Step Guide to Sewing Stylish Seams, Buttonholes, Pockets, Collars, Hems, and More."
The techniques in this book, especially for seams, could elevate simple garments. I'm also excited for the chapters on making your own patterns, copying a garments, and patternmaking basics.
How to start: I'm already underway on this goal! The book's 246 pages, so I could read a page a day and finish it with lots of 2017 to spare.
3.) Sew jeans
It's time to level up my sewing. My technical skills and patience are ready for jeans.
I fell for
Named's Jamie jeans last year when they were part of Indiesew's spring 2015 collection. The seams that run up the front of the legs are an interesting design detail.
How to start: I bought notions for one pair of jeans. I need to print, trace, and cut out the patterns.
4.) Participate in Project #SewMyStyle
Project participants will sew the same pattern every month (12 different patterns for 2017) and post their makes on IG with the #SewMyStyle hashtag. The first pattern is
Sew House 7's Toaster 2 sweater, which I had been stalking for a while.
Not every pattern is my style, but it's a great way to learn new techniques and try some looks that I otherwise would have overlooked. Plus, challenges like this are a great way to "meet" other sewists online.
How to start: Print, trace, and cut Toaster 2: Toaster's Revenge and make muslins.
5.) Complete Wardrobe Architect
Oh,
Wardrobe Architect, you're such a fab idea that I never executed on! When it first came out, I was trying to get pregnant — not an ideal time to invest in your wardrobe. And when Colette revisited WA in 2015, I was pregnant (and eventually postpartum) — again, not an ideal time to invest in your wardrobe.
Oh, babies and how they change your body. I'm blaming my inaction on my sweet, youngest son, ha ha.
Well, now it's 2017 and there are no more babies. I'm a sewing blogger/stay-at-home parent and intended to stay that way for some time.
I've reached stasis with my body and lifestyle. Now is the ideal time to architect my wardrobe and thoughtfully sew garments that will express my personal style.
How to start: Team Colette has detailed directions for Wardrobe Architect. It basically starts with defining a core style.
6.) Sew something from Boundless Style
In case you didn't know, "Boundless Style" is a collection of bodices, sleeves, and skirts that are interchangeable. The book solves the problem of, "I love the top of that dress but the skirt of that dress and the sleeves from that dress."
It's a collection of beautiful Frankenpatterns that were made for each other.
Fashion Plates for grown-up ladies.
And I haven't sewed a dern thing from this gorgeous book. Whyyy??
How to start: Pick a bodice-sleeve-skirt combo. All but one of the skirts can be made into a peplum, and a peplum top sounds appealing.
7.) Sew a Charming Chevrons quilt
Over to you, sewing tribe: What are your 2017 sewing goals? If having multiple goals isn't realistic for you, what's the No. 1 thing you want to work on this year? Is it a pattern? Technique? Participation in a challenge? Do you have a mantra for 2017? I think mine is going to be "This is supposed to be fun!" Please sound off in comments!
