One garment a month It's totally doable |
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Deepika
  
 Intermediate MA USA Member since 11/28/01 Posts: 8613 Founder |
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Date: 6/8/08 9:12 PM I am the last person to ever set any resolutions let alone follow them. But last year was pretty dismal for me sewing wise. And I really love sewing! So earlier this year I decided that I'll set a very simple One-garment-a-month goal for myself. Its been 5 months and so far so good. I'm loving all the new clothes I now get to wear every month!
On my latest bias skirt review the idea appealed to a lot of you so here you go... Lets do it together.
My Project for June is Jalie 2806. I've already cut it out and plan to sew it tomorrow.
Wanna join me? Together we can make this a very productive sewing year.
Update July 21st
What a great response I got. I am so pleased that so many of you have joined me in this. I thought it might be fun to keep a record of how many of us managed to finished projects in a given month. I'll keep updating this post as I see more and more people finish their projects. I encourage you to write a review. Most of you have written reviews but some have not. Also, its a good idea to include a link to our sew along in your review so more people find it. Here's the progress report for July so far:
I discovered something shocking today. There are 144 who have joined this sew along but from the time we started only 14-15 of us manage to sew one garment a month. We need to do something. Figure out why it's so hard to sew when we so love doing it. Here are a few hurdles I am thinking are causing this:
1. I have NO time.
Solution: If you think about it, it's not too hard to take out 4-5 hours from a 30 day month.
2. Nothing fits me, what's the point?
Solution: That's why you sew! We are all real women. Nobody has the perfect body. But we can't give up. If you have problems fitting the bust, start there. Make a shell top. If you can, take some classes. PR online classes are really easy to fit in your schedule.
3. I have so many patterns/fabrics. I don't know what to make.
Solution: We've all been there. Overwhelmed by the choices we have. Narrow it down to a few and post here. We'll try to help you make a decision.
4. I started something but did not finish.
Solution: This is encouraging. You did start but if you werent able to finish in the same month, don't let it become a UFO. Continue working on it and you WILL finish. And I promise next month will be better.
5. My sewing room is a mess.
Solution: Ok so you need more than 4-5 hours now. But take the FlyLady approach. Set your timer to 15 minutes and clean your sewing room. After 15 minutes STOP! Walk away. Don't think about it. Repeat this every day until you are happy with the way it looks. Chances are that when you are done you will sew not one but many garments in that month.
6. I have been sewing, just NOT for myself
Solution: You know... the more I think about it the more I want to say, thats ok, you can still include it in the one garment a month sew along but as long as you make sure that you sew for yourself every other month atleast
7. I did sew but not garments
Solution: It's still better than not sewing at all. And if it's for gift giving that's alright. But if you find yourself avoiding garments because of fit or any other reason (try to ask yourself why!) then it's time you gave garments a shot!
The whole point of this sew along is to motivate. So I may come across as "pushy" but I REALLY want you guys to sew! I've noticed that I am a lot happier since I started this sew along because it's guiding me to sew every month and I am forced to take the time out for it.
If you TRY, YOU CAN DO IT!
-- Edited on 11/20/08 6:37 PM -- ------ - Deepika
Founder, PatternReview.com
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Karla Kizer
 
 Advanced FL USA Member since 4/8/02 Posts: 6054 |
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Date: 6/8/08 9:26 PM And I suppose you want me sew it from Stash fabric..and the previous month's Burda WOF...in one particular fabric, too.... No pressure here.... 
If I keep putting other people's wants and needs ahead of my own, I'll be arrested for indecent exposure, so yeah, I'll join in. At least one garment a month must be for me. On that note, let me go finish pressing the hem in that shirt I'm making for myself - out of Stash fabric- from a very old Burda WOF. I hope this month's fabric is cotton.  -- Edited on 6/8/08 10:32 PM -- ------ Where are we going, and what am I doing in this handbasket?
Matthew 25:40 (New International Version)
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
"If swimming is so good for your figure, how do you explain whales?" -- Dave Barry
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paulag1955
Advanced Beginner WA USA Member since 7/13/07 Posts: 1792 |
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Reply to Deepika Date: 6/8/08 9:54 PM Sheesh, where did you get the idea to set such a grueling pace?!? I could possibly keep up if I were to make elf clothing. Teeny, tiny elf clothing. ------ Paula
"In Seattle you haven't had enough coffee until you can thread a sewing machine while it's running."
- Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com founder
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mahalosu
 Intermediate CA USA Member since 9/8/03 Posts: 90 |
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Date: 6/8/08 10:11 PM I have actually lately come to the same conclusion. One a month is doable.
Sometimes I want to make so many different things, (especially when my BWOF shows up in the mail) that my brain goes on overload, and I shut down and only read and dream about sewing. Next page>> |
pjbobbins
Intermediate WA USA Member since 12/22/06 Posts: 2 |
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Date: 6/9/08 7:28 AM This sounds like the challenge I need! I've been going to a "Block of the Month" quilt club at a local fabric store for the last year, partly to force me to get out and socialize more---this next year they have doubled the price, and the fabrics and design appealed to me 90% less!!!!! When what I really need are clothes that make me FEEL like getting out more...DUH. Next page>> |
AnneM

 Intermediate MA USA Member since 7/30/02 Posts: 5457 Contest Committee |
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Date: 6/9/08 7:47 AM This is a sew-along I might be able to handle. In fact, it is my basic goal. (Not that I've done it so far this year!) Although I might include clothes for DH as well as for myself in the count.

Anne
------ With a great wardrobe that's still in the flat-fabric stage.
Fabric = clothing (some assembly required) (from Re Becca's DH) Next page>> |
SewingQueenKym
Expert/Couture MI USA Member since 11/19/07 Posts: 43 |
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Date: 6/9/08 7:50 AM Okay, if we can bend the rules a bit - how about if we BUY one garment a month, and count that instead???
I'm in. I live by goals, so this will be a good one for me to set. I'm surprised I haven't thought of it before.
Great idea, Deepika!
Kym ------ SewingQueenKym Next page>> |
Jane in MS
Advanced Beginner MS Member since 7/2/06 Posts: 89 |
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Reply to Deepika Date: 6/9/08 8:06 AM Deepika, how did you know I needed a gentle nudge to get me past planning paralysis? See, I have all these great patterns but no stash to speak of. Fabric purchases fall way down the priority list but I think I can budget/justify enough to buy fabrics and notions for an ensemble sewn over three months. Hmm, need to see if that linen is still availabe at Michaels.
Jane
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cindy-lou
 
 Intermediate NC USA Member since 7/21/06 Posts: 3122 Board Moderator |
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Date: 6/9/08 8:09 AM I'll come play with you all! 
I'm doing (or trying to do) a LOT of sewing-- but in the past two months I've completely back-burnered sewing for myself. All these Burda Dreams are stacked up on a shelf with corresponding fabrics, just waiting to be cut. Before you know it, summer will be gone and I'll still have none of them. So my personal rule on this thread: one garment (or more
) for ME per month.
Cool. I'm so glad to have company! ------ Cindy Lou, no more than 2
"Sew, Esmerelda! Sew like the Wind!" -Martin Short, The Three Amigos
"When inspiration calls, you don't send it to voicemail." --Will I Am.
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rhoda bicycle
 Intermediate AB CANADA Member since 6/26/05 Posts: 1132 |
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Date: 6/9/08 8:10 AM My problem is that I tend to start a garment at a time, not finish it for whatever reason, start another and not finish that for some reason... I'd be happy just to clear my backlog, but I don't know what to get back to first.
One garment a month does sound doable. Next page>> |