Sewing & Blogging Plans, Goals, and Dreams for 2016 (and beyond)

I took some extra time to think about my plans and goals for 2016 because I just wasn't sure if I had really nailed them down enough.  And by nailed them down, I mean relatively.  These days when it comes to goals, I tend to be more of a "Shoot for the moon.  If you miss you'll still be among the stars" kind of planner.  My husband always tells me to cut my to-do list in half, and I rarely check off everything I hope to do.  I do want to avoid that approach some what for 2016.  I think I'll always have that tendency a bit - and at this stage of life with five kids at home all day and homeschooling three of them, I don't always know what time I'll be able to take (make) for sewing.  But here is what I've come up with for 2016.

continue reading

2015 Hits & Misses at Sew Not Perfect

How can it already be the final day of 2015?  I'll be enjoying the day with my family and my husband's family, and probably going to bed early.  But I took time to think over the best and worst (in my own view) of 2015.  Soon I'll be sharing some of what I hope to focus on in 2016.

A photo posted by Bethany (@sewnotperfectbethany) on Dec 26, 2015 at 9:26am PST

My favorite hit from the year - personally - was jumping in with Periscope broadcasts and especially the #honestcraftroomies scope hop.  It's been a lot of fun to broadcast, and I have ideas to scope more regularly and hopefully helpfully in 2016.  I've also loved making so many new social media friends through Periscope.  ((You can follow me on Periscope at this link))

This year I had some great opportunities.  I produced my best tutorial (Bow Headband Tutorial with knit fabric) in July and it is by far the most popular post on my blog.  Sew Can She and Fabricworm both featured it and I had the opportunity to sew several headbands in the Homestead line by Emily Isabella for Birch Fabrics.

I don't know how I was so fortunate to be selected as a Jennuine Design Pattern Brand representative, but I was, and I absolutely love every pattern she has designed and put out.  I can't wait to see what else Jenn designs and puts out.  The Jennuine Design Moto Jacket is my favorite thing I made for my boys this year - maybe my favorite of all.

I also loved this Fawn Lily Tunic & Dress pattern that I sewed for my daughter using Carolyn Hulse's Happy Home line.  The pattern is by Rock the Stitch for Willow & Co and can be found on both Upcraft Club and Craftsy.  I entered it at the State Fair and received second place.  I haven't blogged about it yet, but I love the construction.  I added a lining underneath since the fabric was so light.  Next time, I'd take the time to handstitch the lining closed instead of top stitching around the sleeves.  I think if I'd done that, I may have earned that blue ribbon, too.  So, I guess this was mostly a "hit" but a bit of a miss.

A photo posted by Bethany (@sewnotperfectbethany) on Sep 1, 2015 at 4:23am PDT

A photo posted by Bethany (@sewnotperfectbethany) on Sep 1, 2015 at 4:18am PDT

I also sewed several hand bags that I am really pleased with.  The Jenna Tote by SOTAK Handmade and working with leather or the first time were probably my favorites.  You can see more of my bags on my Instagram account.

A photo posted by Bethany (@sewnotperfectbethany) on Dec 26, 2015 at 9:47am PST

I also loved sewing for myself more this year.  I still pull out my M is for Moto Jogger Pants whenever they are clean, and look forward to making a capri version soon.

As far as Misses - besides the one I mentioned above about not hand sewing the Fawn Lily Tunic sleeves - the biggest would be the Sew Your Pattern Stash venture.  I started out great and was lots of fun.  The link up participation was fair, but not great.  There were several of you who were active in the Facebook group and link party.  I loved doing the interviews to go along with each topic.  But that only last two months.  Then my laptop was destroyed, I got derailed, and it never really recovered.  A few of my interviews didn't get returned.  Not to mention that I realized I didn't like a lot of the patterns I owned and that my pattern buying and sewing preferences has really evolved since I started sewing and bought many of my pdf patterns.  I'm not sure if it can be revived for 2016 - but I'd be willing to have feedback if people are interested in giving it another go.

My other big miss is time management in general.  That doesn't show on my blog so obviously, but it shows up more in what doesn't get to my blog (things I sew but don't get around to posting about) and probably my house (in that things fall apart because I binge sew and don't clean until I get it done).  I'd really like to work on that this year.  Regular sewing, regular blogging and regular cleaning!

1Pattern:3Ways Tour - How to Find a Versatile Sewing Pattern

As we continue the 1Pattern:3Ways Tour looking at ways to use one pattern multiple ways, I wanted to take a day to suggest patterns or types of patterns that can really be easily stretched for multiple sewing projects.  Surely you can sew any pattern more than one time, but some patterns really lend themselves naturally to extra mileage.

continue reading

For the Love of Sewing - Lessons Learned in my First Year

*the following article was written by me and first appeared in Issue 6 of One Thimble Magazine (affiliate link)

Just over one year ago I began sewing more seriously and jumped in to the online sewing and blogging community.  It’s been a great year.  I never could have imagined the techniques I would learn in just one year or the projects I would be able to complete.  When I began, my sewing history consisted of the occasional valance, curtain, or Halloween costume.  About a year before I really took up sewing, I sewed a ruffled crib skirt for my first daughter and it was a huge deal to me that I even attempted it, let alone completed it.  Even though I sewed occasionally, I had the idea that I couldn’t sew, really.  In my mind, there were Those Who Can Sew, and then I was in the other group with people who could not.  Through the encouragement of a few friends and the generous loan of a newer sewing machine, I tentatively tested the waters in the pool of Those Who Can Sew and I never came back.

I am still learning and as I celebrated my one-year blog birthday [in January 2015], I took time to reflect on significant lessons from my first year of seriously sewing.

continue reading

Sew Surprised (and excited)!

So the blog has obviously been quiet for many weeks now.  So has my sewing machine. 
Any guesses why?  In mid-March I was super-surprised to find out we are expecting another baby!  

Fifth baby announcement (with apologies for photo quality).

I won't go in to all the ways and reasons that his is so surprising right now; you'll just have to trust me.  I will say this: I was sooooo sick.  This is pregnancy number nine (yes, nine) for me, and by far the worst.  For about four weeks I could barely function - in bed 75% of the day, on the couch the rest of the time.  I couldn't understand it.  Thankfully, it went to normal first trimester sickness after a bit, and now that I am in the second trimester, I am feeling pretty good.  I don't know if it is or was related or not, but by 8 weeks I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes.  Maybe the bad sugar levels were contributing to the super-sickness for a bit?  This is my first time with an official diagnosis, and I'm thankful that my new ob office tests women with my history so early and that it was caught.

Anyway, I am eager to jump back in to sewing projects.  Now you know why it's been so quiet around here.  My last two projects (Hawthorn Zip-Up Jacket and EYMM Piko Tops) were actually completed earlier than posted and I had to wait on the pattern release to blog about those projects. April and early May were mostly sickness and doctor appointments!  I made my first trip to JoAnns today and picked out fabric for a bed skirt I am making for our new bedroom.  I can't wait to share pictures!

((and just for kicks, we thought this outtake was hilarious.  Hopefully she like her new sibling better than she likes taking pictures about her new sibling!))

Reflections: Sew Grateful Day Two

As I reflect on sewing through my past - both my mother and grandmothers were early examples of sewing and craftiness.  Decades before Pinterest or even the internet, I remember my mother sewing Easter outfits for herself, teaching a friend and me to sew little purses, making a beautiful felt advent calendar that I think my brothers and I would probably fight over even to this day, and creating fun Halloween costumes.  She even whipped up a few skirts for my mission trip to Mexico in high school.  This was in addition to beautiful cross-stitch pieces and crochet projects.  I don't think of my mom as sewing a ton, but she was certainly good at every project she made and set an example of creativity and enjoying time making hand-made items.  She is also the one who taught me the basics of sewing, like following a pattern and operating a sewing machine. My mom's mom was quite a seamstress, from what I hear, and has a beautiful sewing table that I believe my grandpa built for her.  I remember some paisley matching vests she made for my cousin and me during the early 90s.  Although my dad's mom passed away when I was in third grade, I remember her making latch-hook rugs and teaching me to knit (which I forgot, then relearned later in college).  She is also the person who bought me my first sewing machine for Christmas one year - I was probably 7 or so.

Several women have been great encouragements to me through the years in my sewing.  About 10 years ago, I asked a woman (Jeri) at my church in Ohio if she would teach me to sew better.  She took time over several weeks to help me select a pattern, go shopping for fabric, and put together a lined dress that I wore for my husband's seminary graduation.  I appreciate not only the time she took to teach me more sewing, but also to share with me more about her life and family.

Another woman who has been a great encouragement to me is from our church here in Indiana (Barb).  She is very experienced and now runs a wonderful sewing school (Stitchin Time).  She has helped me on several projects, but I always think of her as the one who has boosted my confidence the most in my ability to sew.  She reminds me that if you make a mistake you can always use your seam ripper and start over.  For a long time I was nearly paralyzed by a fear that I would mess up.  Or that I would get in to it and make a mess of things.  It started with something as simple as hemming maternity jeans.  Recently, she encouraged me to go ahead and replace a fabric trim in a crib bumper that I wanted to modify.  I was so afraid I'd end up with a bunch of fabric and no crib bumper in the end.  But she gave me the boost, and then showed (and did) the final sewing of the new fabric in to place.  I was learning that not only could I actually do some of the things I dreamed of, I enjoyed it to!

I have other friends and family who have recently loaned me machines that have been huge boosts to my sewing confidence and skill.  And now that I've lately gotten and great new machine of my own and joined in with the online sewing community, I am even more encouraged and excited and inspired to sew.  I am learning new things all the time, and only held up by my time now, instead of confidence.  I'd say the two biggest influences from the online community are the resources and reviews for learning about new patterns and techniques, and sew-a-longs, which not only encourage me to get a project done by the imposed (and helpful) time schedule, but also provide dialogue with other sewists and inspiration as you see others' ideas come together.  I also appreciate how easy it is to get opinions, hints on patterns to use, ideas, and help through the online community - no matter what hour of the day or night it is!

And don't forget about my giveaway, if you haven't entered already.  You can enter through Friday, February 28.

Why I Love to Sew

I don't have time to sew.  This is often very true true for me.  In fact, during this recent Princess Dress Sew-Along with Candy Castle Patterns, I was up past midnight (one o'clock, even two o'clock) on occasion (not because the pattern was difficult or the schedule was grueling, just because).  I don't think that is a practice I should keep, just to be able to sew a dress.  But do you know what I love? Having a completed project.  Complete, as in DONE and doesn't need re-done tomorrow.  I gladly serve my family by cleaning, preparing meals, home schooling, etc.,  but they are all activities that once finished, are never truly complete because you just get back at it again later that day, or the next day or sooner-than-later.  The endless cycle.  I don't really have an other hobby or skill (well, cake decorating, but that is too fattening and way too messy to do regularly).  With sewing, I start and work toward an end and then reach completion.  That is a wonderful and pleasing sense of accomplishment.  I enjoy the work of sewing and the reward is not only the pleasure of the work itself, not only the excitement felt when looking upon something I made that I am happy with, but also a gift I give to myself, my children, or a friend of a handmade item.  When I have the opportunity to see that project again, I enjoy and relive that same sense of pleasure, accomplishment and finality.  I am not looking at the dishes piling up again; I am looking at something DONE - an experience I don't have very often.  And so I find time to sew.

Why do you sew?