What have I been sewing?

I haven't been sewing much. My store has been keeping me busy. So, I thought that I would share some of the items that I made in December.

Here's the Christmas napkins that I made in December:

The hardest part of these project was drawing the pattern. I was able to get 6 napkins from 2 yards of fabric and 2 packages of ric rac. I still have enough fabric left to make 6 more napkins. I have a matching fabric to make placemats. Of course, I just didn't find time before the holidays to get them finished. However, I have a till Thanksgiving to get them finished. Let's see if I can get them done.

I also made a little drawstring bag for my nephew:

I got the idea for this project from a sewing project that my son did at school. Yes, our school district has sewing classes for the 6th graders. Basically, it's a half a yard of fabric with 3 yards of cording. I had to change construction just a little bit because the fabric was directional. There are lots of freebie directions around on the internet for drawstring backpacks.

That's it for December sewing. I have started re-working my corduroy skirt. Let's see if I can finish it within the next week or so.

Happy Sewing!

Whew! Time Flies....

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. I don't know where the time went. My family had a very quiet Christmas with just the three of us. We did give family members calls to see how everyone was doing.

I don't think that I have sewn anything other than mending since my last post. I did finish taking may skirt apart and it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

As far as sewing goes, I finished the Christmas tree napkins for Christmas but didn't quite get to the placemats. It will be something that I will finish this year and be ready for the next Christmas holidays. Ok, let's mark the calendar and see if I get them done. LOL. I have enough fabric to create 6 simple placemats.

I have a huge list of projects for the year and if I get a small portion of them completed, I will feel like I have accomplished something. Here's my sewing plans for the year:

1. Finish altering brown skirt. (In- process)
2. Complete a UFO bag I started a year or so ago. I got hung up here because I didn't like the lining and was going to redraft.
3. Make a curtain for the deck to block the afternoon sun. (Fabric purchased)
4. Make pillows and cushions for the front porch chairs. (Fabric is mostly purchased)
5. Make cushions for the deck furniture. (Fabric purchased)
6. Make curtains for my sewing room/office area. (Need to purchase)
7. Make fabric covers for the plastic containers in the sewing room. (Need to purchase)
8. Make a large floor pillow for the play room. (Fabric purchased)
9. Make a slip cover for the couch in the play room. (Fabric purchased)
10. Finish apron sample for the new pattern company for my store. (Fabric purchased)
11. Christmas placemats. (Fabric purchased)
12. Fall placemats / napkins (In-process)

When I look at this long list, I realize how little I have planned to sew for myself. I really need to get someone to help me with the fitting issues that I have. I do think that once I understand what changes I need to make that I will sew more for myself. I did find someone who is certified with Palmer/Pletsch fitting techniques. She charges about $25.00/hour so I will need to be careful with my time.

I just looked at my list and realized just how much fabric I have sitting around waiting on me to get to the various projects. I think I'm going to try to work for an hour every day and see how much can get done. I would love to have the space that all of those planned projects with the fabric already purchased is taking up.

Happy Sewing!