I was a latecomer to the wonderful Instagram sewing community, (could be my family's description of me as a technology luddite does bear some truth) so possibly I am embracing ideas which others may have have long since abandoned, like Make Nine plans. Frankly that does not matter - it is enormous fun, to dream and record and edit and add and subtract!
Taking a moment to reflect on my 2021 year of making, much of the sewing I did was not on my radar at the start of the year. Things evolved, and my makes were informed by what preceded them.
There are many strands of influence woven into my approach now.
Sheri Lynn Wood writes in her Improv Quilting Handbook about the power of that reflective pause with questions like what went well? What did you enjoy? What surprised you? There are countless wonderful sewers who have been interviewed by Helen and Caroline on Love 2 Sew who talk about wardrobe planning through sewing diaries to how we record our makes, and what new skills we want to challenge ourselves with. Then closer to home is the up close experience of seeing my friend Maitland’s wonderfully creative Fantail tops.
As the year begins I have some rough plans.
As always I would like to make up fabric I already have. Finally I have everything recorded on a spreadsheet which makes it very visible, something which appeals to me. I have 9 pieces. But I would also like to venture out on fabric shopping trips, make time to try some new sources.
In my wardrobe I have several garments which have not been worn for some time. Refashioning these is part of my 2022 goal.
I would like to make garments to wear in my non working life. This has emerged after reading a wardrobe planning book and realising that not only do I already have lots of work clothes which I like and wear, sewing plans have gravitated to this type of garment. I would like to put energy into what I wear for the rest of my life!
In the same vein as purchasing fabric is easy to do, in excess of my actual production rate, it turns out online patterns are simply a click away. Also catalogued on my spreadsheet there are 10 patterns still waiting to be used. I plan to use them this year.
Sew knits. I have a couple of RTW garments I would like to try to copy, a raglan sweatshirt and my favourite tee shirt. A cover stitch machine is in my plans for this year too.
Having spent more time in my sewing space I have been making tweaks and improvements which in turn re-energises me. I did have a cutting table on my wish list for my husband to make, but a recent brainwave about doubling my mat area and using the dining table seems to have solved that. Small additions such as a small rotary cutter which I was given for Christmas are a way of showing love and attention to my making life. I look forward to seeing how the space continues to evolve.
How do these plans shape up under a reality check? Well pretty doable I think. Watch this space.
Claire
January 2022
