Thursday, January 17, 2013

The "Fearless February" Sew-Along.....Part I

I still can't believe how long it's taken me to get a handle on this week. Geesh, you go out of town one weekend and everything just gets thrown off. I'm going to have to sew like a mad woman this weekend to catch up. And that's good since I'm beginning to experience "sewing withdrawal" symptoms.


(Lions are fearless! Couldn't think of a more suitable symbol for the sew-along. I'm doubtful a picture of some spools of thread would've made the same impact LOL!!!)

I know this month isn't over with just yet but I had to reveal my sewing plans for February. I'm just that EXCITED!!! I'm sponsoring my first ever Sew Along---the "Fearless February Sew-Along". The purpose of this sew- along is to encourage myself as well as other to take a big step with their sewing and venture out into some uncharted territory. 

I've ALWAYS wanted to have a month set aside where I could attempt/tackle sewing  projects that I've always wanted to but have always been put on the back burner due to reluctance, intimidation, or plain laziness. Come on, you know what I'm talking about. It's the project that you ALWAYS find an excuse not to sew---for one reason or another. What is it? A coat, tailored shirt, pants, suit, vest or skirt??? How about we go through the list of excuses.

I'm a new sewer?
I don't have the experience?
Those techniques intimidate me?
What if I fail?
I don't feel confident in my skills?
That's not my area of expertise?

And the list goes on and on and on and on and on! You get my drift!!!!

Tsk....Tsk! We're kicking all those excuses to the curve and are going for it!!!

Let's just push all those doubts, worries, reluctance and fears to the side and take the plunge. It doesn't matter whether we succeed or fail. What matters is that we learn. Sometimes we're so bent on succeeding that we forget that the experience and learning is the best part. Any any sewer worth his/her salt has a history built on both. Not to pop your bubble, but if you're sewing a jacket for the first time it may not be perfect--I can asure you it won't be. But I guarantee you'll learn how to make it better the next time. But you'll never get to that point if you don't take the first step. Besides aren't you even the least curious about what it would be like to just to tackle that sewing project(s) you've been putting off or avoiding. What about the one you're terrified to tackle??? This quote says it perfectly................
 besides......


I'd rather attempt to do something great and fail than to attempt to do nothing and succeed.

~Robert H. Schuller
 
So, Let's go for it!!! Well we have a little more than 10 days to prepare and the entire month of February. Let's make some "sewing magic"!!!. That's great considering you're taking the plunge. Well you are, aren't you???? I'm hoping that by taking such bold steps in February we'll invigorate our sewing for the rest of the year. Start thinking about which project(s) you'd like to sew. I'm getting mine together now and will reveal them next week some time. I'll outline my strategy and sewing plans too!!!  But I'm planning to go big. I've got nothing to lose and alot of learning to gain!!!!! Also if you participate I'd love to showcase your experiences somehow. Maybe in a flickr album or link them back to my page. I'll look into it. Be sure to spread the word to others. Meanwhile.....

How about you? Wanna join the sew-along???? What would you sew and why?????


50 comments:

  1. I'm in! I'm making a pair of jeans. First jeans ever. Can't wait!

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  2. Sure, I'll join in! I think I might be taking on a button down blouse that will require matching the print...

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  3. Sure, I'll join! I've been putting off making a pair of pants, I think February is a great time to do it. I joined the Craftsy classes about pants fitting and construction, so I'll get have plenty of guidance as I tackle them. Since i have a horrid time finding pants that fit, this skill would be well used! And... since I'm losing weight... I'll practice at my current size - with the idea that by the time I finish I might be ready to sew a smaller pair with better skills!

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  4. I'm in!. I'm very new to sewing and don't want to be one of those people who swear off a certain fabric or article of clothing because of fear. I've joined in the SWAP contest this year with Stitcher's Guild and have several items planned that are well beyond my skill level. I'll never learn if I don't give them a try. I might try to tackle pants for this sew along.

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  5. I am in!! Great idea.I'll post my projects on my blog.

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  6. What a fabulous idea. I want to sew a jacket which is something I have had in the back of my mind for years but never done. I might even *gasp* cut into some lovely wool fabric aging in my stash. Feel the fear and do it anyway!!! Ingrid

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    1. Aargh! I've tried three times to comment, twice on Chrome and once here through Firefox! What are you all doing that I can't do?

      I'm going to try to sew a jacket. My monster under the bed is a lovely wool fabric that's lurked far too long. Time to turn on the light and sweep it out from under . . .

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  7. I'm going to be fearless and attempt draping and then I'll attempt draft a pattern from scratch. I've got enough resources so there's really no reason why I can give it a go:)

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  8. Good idea! I want to sew a jacket too - I wanted to last year but I felt intimidated by the lining and all sorts of things that went into it. Exciting!

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  9. I'll join. I'll sew a skirt because I have never, ever finished a garment. Well, I made an apron in class two years ago.

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  12. Ooooo! I'd like to join, too! Maybe I'll sew a lined blazer.

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  13. I am in for this Victoria, I need something to take me out of my comfort zone.

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  14. I am going to give it a whirl! I have three patterns that I have been putting off tackling, so here we go!

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  15. I am in Victoria! Need to get back into sewing.... Exciting!

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  16. I'm in! Rawr! I'll be attempting a woven dress. I've sewn woven skirts, and knit dresses, but I've been too chicken to deal with the fitting issues woven dresses have. How awesome is "fitting" a knit dress? lol So yeah, one awesome leopard print wrap dress, due by the end of Feburary! :)

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  17. oh, yes...I think it will be pants for me!

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  18. I'm in. I will be working on my couture dress. I have been signed up for the craftsy class for months! I finished the muslin, but have been putting off the next step!

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  19. Me, too! I think I'll tackle a dress blouse with french seams! Whoo hoo!! Do you have some sort of icon/button we could put on our blog to show we're in?

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  20. Oh, great idea. I'm in....I'm going to make something with finished seams...

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  21. Fabulous idea! I'm in and I think I'll tackle a coat.

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  22. I have never participated in a sew-a -long but this really appeals to me. I need to stretch in several aspects of my life so I am going to use this as the starting point.

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  23. I would love to participate in Fearless February. I have so many things I need to tackle I'm not even sure where to start. Just sewing on a regular would probably be a great start!

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  24. I'm in! I'm planning to sew a coat in February. I've sewn one before but this time I want to attempt bound buttonholes and other couture techniques.
    Roar!

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  25. Perfect timing! I am going to learn to sew buttonholes by hand.

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  26. I'm going to be on vacation the first week of February but you can still count me in Ms Victoria! I know I have something to tackle too!

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  27. I have my patterns picked out, now I have to get them cut out.

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  28. I will participate in this sew-a-long.

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  29. OK... I can't help myself... count me in for Fearless February. I'm going to draft my first pattern and I'm going to go for a pencil skirt (ok I'm a little chicken and thought I'd start with something not toooo scary to tackle first... but it is a little scary... strike that... I'm fearless and am going to tackle this one and I know if I get stuck along the way there's a great support network who will boost me along so as I can conquer this little baby and come out with a great looking self drafted pencil skirt :)

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  30. Count me in. I dont know what I'm going to tackle yet. I got to talk myself up. I guess I'll go dig through the pattern stash.

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  31. I'm joining the fun. I need the encouragement to actually finish sewing the slip cover to my wing back chair. Thank you!

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  32. Hi there Victoria. I am going to join in on your Fearless February challenge. I will grab you button and post it on my blog. I already have the project lined up I am going to sew. Tailored pants with front and back pockets, zipper and button closure. :)

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  33. I'll Join in! Sorry but I haven't decide what to make...I'm in between a pair of trousers or a coat. Thank you for the opportunity!

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  34. Hey count me in , Victoria. I wasn't gonna do it for a sew-a-long that I have going on right now. But, I have been wanting to make the Jalie jeans and I recently discovered a denim-like piece of fabric that's the right amount and would be perfect. Plus, this would go in conjunction with what I have going on, so I'm going for it!!!!

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  35. Count me in too, Victoria. My goals are 1) to return to sewing, 2) sew outfits for 3 work days, and the ambitious goalis 3) to sew a jacket--my sewing goal every, every year *nods head*. I will be very proud to address all three, and will count it as a success even if I don' get to #3. I have two toddlers and a FT job, and am changing jobs in March. Whew!

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  36. starting with a few easy pieces to get me in the sewing groove.

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  37. I'm in too! I will be attempting my first button-down blouse. I am a beginner/intermediate level sewer and have recently started blogging too! Having someone to share it with makes this twice as fun!! Thanks for starting this sew-along.
    http://the2013sewingproject.blogspot.com

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  38. I'm a new sewer too!! I will be tackling a few things: A cotton blouse, a button down shirt, a dress and a knit skirt. Ambitious? I think not! :)

    I really want to make pants, as I have a hard time finding RTW pants but I must admit I'm intimidated by that venture.

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  39. Hi Victoria and everyone else,

    I've only just joined this challenge a few days ago so I'm a bit behind the challenge 8 ball. I had already cut out a pair of trousers, so I quickly made them up. I've got a skirt cut, so I guess I'll do that next (my biggest challenge is actually getting around to doing some sewing, let alone face my biggest sewing fears and challenges. So maybe my first challenge is actually to complete things. I've just put a picture of my recent attempt up on my blog sarahlizsewstyle.blogspot.com.

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    1. That's so awesome Sarah!!!! Forgive me for falling behind---I've got to catch up with your progress. Don't worry--I got a little behind to so I know what it's like to play catch up!!!

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  40. Hi! Thanks for popping by earlier! It's not too late to join your Fearless February sew along, is it? I just started sewing that dress tonight, so I figured that would be my project, if it isn't too late. It's a little intimidating, but I think I can do it!

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    1. No not at all Lady! Glad to have you on board!!!

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  41. I commented under your most recent post but I'll post here too. I'm in! I'm a self taught beginner and have a project to finish and one to start. Bring on February!!!

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  42. I'm in! I will be making a coat (working on the muslin now) and then will attempt trousers (in woven, not knit!)

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  43. Hey Victoria, I'm in! I'm a self taught beginner and I will attempt to complete a pair of pants.

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  44. Hello Victoria,
    I'm going to make a simple a-line skirt with leather trim. My challenge will be to make the sloper and the skirt within your time frame and manage the rest of my life.

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  45. Hello, I am in and will finally make the dress using Vogue 1048. It is a Chado Ralph Ricci design and I have put this off for two years. Now's the time.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and for following me on my 10,000 Hour Sewing Challenge:)

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