Top 5 Reflections and Goals

This is the last entry in this series. I really enjoy writing them! Thanks to Gillian for leading the series.

Top 5 Reflections

1.

Positive thinking

I looked back over last year’s reflections and goals. I think I have done well in achieving all the goals I set out, except for dancing. I would have loved to be in a healthy position to take some dance classes, but sadly that was not to be. I did recently go to a Grimes concert and dance my butt off there. It was exhilarating. Although, it took a week to recover! I think this year I have been dancing internally a lot. While I’ve had my ups and downs, I tend to keep a positive and hopeful attitude. I know the dangers of not doing that and how depression can easily take hold. I think I’ve done a lot to not get discouraged and remain hopeful. With difficult sewing projects, I’ve also learned to be positive. Sometimes it’s better to set them aside and work on something else and come back to them when you are ready.

2.

Upped my skills

 

I spent the year increasing my skills even with “simple” projects. I can really see the difference when comparing garments from 2014 with this year or even from earlier in the year. My serger has really helped with that as well.

3.

Sewing my stash

I’m not one of those people who will ever stop buying to sew through their stash. I have no self control in that respect! In the summer, I moved my sewing space into our bedroom and seriously organized everything. It’s been great being so organized! It’s also been great not having my stash all over the place. I can easily access it and grab things for projects. The brown corduroy from my Misty Jeans was forgotten about for a while. I got it for Halloween stuff years ago and never used it. Lots of presents in the past while have been from my stash. I’ve been “shopping” there first to check if there is a suitable fabric and then going out for fabric as needed. I managed to get it down a bit to make room for the new stuff. 😉

4.

Organization

I know I just mentioned this above, but damn…it’s been great. I know exactly how many notions and supplies I have and exactly where to find things as I need them. While the top of my cutting table can get disorganized when I am between projects, it’s a lot easier to clear things out. My pdf pattern organization has also been great. I need another crate for it, though, since it’s getting packed with recent additions. Black Friday was good for my pdf stash. 😉 Since the room is also my bedroom, I’ve made a point of trying to be as neat as possible and it’s been working really well.

5.

Fabric quality

I’ve learned a lot about what works for me and what doesn’t this year. Like Gillian notes in her Top 5 2015 Misses entry, polyester quilted knits are not really working out. The fabric for my blue dress above is pretty low in quality and already pulling and pilling. It’s also kind of scratchy. Of course, not all polyester is the same. The polyester knit I use for the Star Trek shirts is a lot better quality. Although, they do make for really warm stage wear! I find I am getting a lot pickier with fabric quality. I’ve left things behind in the thrift store in spite of them only be $5 for several yards, because of low quality. $5 for garbage is not a bargain!

Top 5 Goals

1.

Pushing my boundaries

I swear I get scared of things for no reason and convince myself I am not skilled enough to try it. Well, I call bullshit on that! Your skills can’t get better unless you continue to push the boundaries. All this year, I wanted to make blazers. Well, 2016 will become the year of the blazer… and pants. Man, I never thought I would say I want to wear pants.

2.

Participation

My goal for 2016 is to participate in my two favourite sewing communities a lot more next year. Plan is to submit reviews to the Curvy Sewing Collective and try to participate in the Monthly Stitch Challenges every month.

3.

Sewing for others

It’s been great making the Star Trek shirts and also sewing presents for others. I have plans for 2016 to make a bunch of stuff for my husband. He deserves custom clothes, too! 🙂

4.

Geek out

I really enjoyed adding geeky elements to some of my garments this year. I want to continue to find ways to do that in 2016.

5.

It’s all in the details!

One of the things I have learned this year is that I really love adding personal touches to my garments like a line of machine embroidery stitches or a little hand-embroidered element. I definitely want to continue that in 2016 and make it a goal to personalize with little details. I’d love to get custom clothing labels as well for a personal touch!

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