Jan / Feb 2011: 10,000 Sewing Hours Challenge---New Year, New Challenge

First I just wanted to wish you a Happy New Year! The last time I posted it was last year and I have to admit it's great to be at the start of a New Year! I'm hoping this will be a GREAT year. I'm hoping for better and more challenging sewing projects and for a greater sewing output!

I posted a quote on my blog that I hope will epitomize my year as well every year thereafter. It's says...

Nobody exceeds beyond his or her wildest expectations unless he or she begins with some wild expectations. ~ Ralph Charell

I love this quote! It's so profound and it's one for the rest of my life that I will strive to live by! 

 With all that said I have to admit that I'm off to to somewhat of a slow start.......... but I'm not worried my sewing mojo will soon kick into full gear soon. I'm in the process of finishing up this dress. It's a super easy pattern

  I don't exactly know how to feel about it but I think once I get it styled it will be a cute dress. It's actually cute but I guess I'm just on the fence with it!

I'm still deciding on where to go from there. My goals for the next 2 months are to finish up my basic wardrobe essentials and do some more winter sewing. Of course I'll follow the rules of my 10,000 Hr. Challenge which are to sew a garment weekly (spending 2 weeks for the more complicated one's) and log 1000 sewing hour (+sewing related activities) for the year. I'm trying to make it an effort to squeeze additional pieces and even duplicate garments within the week. I really want to push myself this year.

Here are some of the patterns I'm planning to choose from.....

You might recall these same patterns from my Nov/Dec 2010 Challenge.

I also want to squeeze one coat in. This one if I have enough fabric for it.....

I am also pleased to say in advance that I'll be attending a Gala in April (provided I don't have to be out of the country in AK again). I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE sewing for formal occassions!!! I wish I had a formal affair to attend every other month but of course that would probably get expensive. And by that I mean renting my Hubby's tux because with sewing skills you save tons on formal dresses! This new Butterick pattern is already a strong contender. Early last year I purchased this beautiful blue fabric from a Hancock Fabrics in Tallahassee, FL.  I bought this beautiful fabric originally $6/yd for $1/yd and it's the first fabric that I thought would be perfect for this gown. It's a gorgeous midnight blue color. Although it's understated yet pretty, I think it would be oh so elegant for this style of gown. We'll see...

And lastly I bought fabric. Now I mentioned my goal is to limit this this year and for that I'm SERIOUS. I plan to go shopping in my own closet because I have Tons of fabric. This is my main sewing closet....

It is so packed with fabric and you can't even see completely inside the closet....And here's the sewing cabinet outside of my sewing room.....

 And I have several bins of fabric too. Like you guys who are fabric collectors, you can see why it's important to work on keeping this stash in check.


But I decided to treat myself since I landed a Part Time job with a WONDERFUL, local, & Prestigious non-profit organization that encourages mentorship and education for local youths. I found that a reason to celebrate!!! So at Wal-Mart I spotted this purple fabric and passed it up a few weeks ago---you know being disciplined an all. Since getting my position I went back for it and spotted 2 more pieces. I have to admit, Wal-Mart had some nice fabrics--that's not a regular occurence.

The fabric on the left and middle are charmeuse and the one on the right is a red patterned knit with gold specks.

Anyway, that's what's up with me for the next 2 months. What's going on with you. I hope your year's off to a great start! Got any lofty goals? No matter what you choose to do----Happy Sewing to you!