Hello darling. We are in the home stretch of 2022. I just finished my year in review, and it is time to start dreaming about what I want to make in 2023. I still felt stifled with sewing in 2022. I’m still afraid to make the first cut or make a mistake. I am far from being a perfectionist, but I hate when my handmade clothing looks “homemade.” That word has always had a less-than-desirable taste to it. To me, it means that it was obviously made by a novice. I don’t pretend to be anywhere near a professional seamstress, but I don’t want it to look shoddy and amateur. I don’t know why I have so much fear of mistakes. I don’t sew with expensive materials, and I don’t have any fabric that I really consider sentimental or irreplaceable. I also continue to struggle with rushing and fudging my sewing. I need to accept and remember that I do not have the experience necessary to rush, fudge, or eyeball my sewing. I need to slow down and take time to do things correctly. I need to measure, press, and pin to ensure accuracy and fit. I need to read my pattern directions and follow them. I also need to trust the process and tackle new techniques. I may not be a talented maker, but I do have skills. I can learn how to do things, once I get over myself and try them.
Each year, I select a word, something to work toward and achieve. My word, last year, was “Boundaries.” My word for 2023 is “Connections.” When a word chooses me, I try to figure out how it will fit into all the facets of my life. With family and friends, I want to reconnect and spend time with people in person. I want to make more effort to stay in touch and have rewarding two-way relationships with loved ones. Making-wise, I want to connect with my making. Connect with my fears and sit with them, then put them behind me. Reconnect with my love of making my own clothes. I know that I am capable, and I need to have more faith in myself. I also need to connect with my schedule and ensure I have penciled in time to work on my making. Job-wise, I need to connect with any and all opportunities I choose to embrace. I want to connect my opportunities with my long-term goals, and not be afraid to take on bigger projects or positions. I am definitely ready to connect with the person that I will become in 2023.
My Goals:
Sewing
- Sew at least one garment per month
- Experiment with different fabrics
- Sew more tops
- Use more stash fabric
- Work on hand sewing to help with finishing
- Use Grandpa’s sewing machine
Dream sewing patterns:
True Bias Hudson pants
DIbY Abb tee shirts
Friday Pattern Company Saltwater Slipdress
Lawly skirt
Tote bag using recycled jeans
Finish the white denim skirt
Tilly and the Buttons Stella Joggers and Hoodie
Knitting:
- Make more staple garments- think capsule wardrobe
- Knit a black cardigan and gray or black shawl
- Work on the Knitting my Memories blanket
- Make more charity hats and supplies
- Knit often; it’s good for your mental health
- Teach Feebs and the Ladies how to knit
Dream knitting patterns:
Harris sweaters for Dad and me
Lapis sweater (probably my NYE cast on)
Finish Shatar Vest
Lavonia Patronella Beginner’s Brioche Scarf for Sister #2
Kim Hargreaves’ Harten Cardigan
Mending:
Rehab front porch bench
Repair the Dooney & Burke handbag
Melt ruined candles and repour
Rip out:
- Multi-colored Lapis
- Rams Horn cowl
- 2470 Women’s Lace Border Tank
Replace zippers on zip-up hoodies
House stuff:
Landscape the front yard
Replace both garage doors
Replace siding
New windows
Tile covered patio
Remove the extra door on the porch
Strip and stain the stair banister
Build new decks
New railing for front steps
New things to try:
Macrame
Zippered make-up bags
Make more handmade gifts
Patchwork quilting
Go to more making festivals and conventions
What other goals do I have? I want to keep prioritizing my health and wellness. I want to keep enjoying the benefits, both physical and mental, of keeping my body in movement. I will continue to be kind and not berate myself for enjoying a cookie but, at the same time, fuel my body with what it needs to be strong. I want to travel more. There is so much to see in this country and out, and I want to start experiencing it. I also want to work on developing a budget and saving more money for the things that we need to pay for. I am still a devout anti-debt person, so that means making better financial decisions to pay for things upfront. We have big plans for the future, so I need to find a way to fund them.
So, I think that is it in a nutshell. I want to continue posting about my dream makes. Some of them I will make, some I won’t. I will toile all garments. This should help with my fear of cutting things out. I shall go into 2023 by being kind to myself and allowing myself to grow.
Loves,
M
Mrs. Collins Makes Stuff 