I've been thinking a lot about the new year in the last few days. I have to say that it's always a relief when Christmas is over and I can start thinking about sewing things that are NOT for Christmas gifts. Technically, I still have a few more days to sew for Christmas, since we're celebrating with my side of the family on New Year's Eve. As much as I'd like to be optimistic, I don't think much will get done between now and then, since I have a soccer game tomorrow night. Maybe one more thing.
Yesterday, in the middle of the blizzard, I did make this cute little doll quilt:
It's from Aneela Hoey's blog comfortstitching. Since I managed to score some Sherbet Pips, I just had to make this little Girl on a Swing quilt. The tutorial was great. The only thing I would do differently next time is make the neck a little shorter. I ended up with a little giraffe girl. She's still cute.
Most of the time, I don't have much trouble giving away what I've made, but this one is going to be hard to part with. It's going to be for my little niece, Anna. She's four (or maybe 5, really I should know this), and I'm pretty sure she doesn't read my blog.
Before I post my New Year's Resolutions (which of course I will share and hope all you readers will make me stick to), I thought it would be nice to reflect on the past year. The Sew Mama Sew Blog had some nice prompters today:
What were some of your favorite things? (Trends, fabric collections, patterns, blogs? Whatever you really loved.)
For me, the biggest trend of the new year was Virtual Quilting Bees. I joined three. I loved how this turned crafting from a solitary, individual hobby into a group activity. I think modern quilting really hit its stride this year as well with local guilds cropping up everywhere. I joined the New England branch, and it's been so wonderful to meet up with other people who understand fabric obsession and know exactly who I'm talking about when I say Amy or Anna Maria or Heather or Denyse. Later in the year, I really got hooked on sewing clothes for my kids. There are so many great patterns out there now, but I'd have to say Oliver & S is leading the way with this.
What was your very favorite fabric collection or print? (If not listed above.)
That's a tough one. I'm not really sure what fabric was technically "this year". I really like the dots from Amy Butler's Love collection and also the double gauze from Heather Ross' Far and Away collection for sewing clothes. I also really liked the color combination of raspberry and gray from Patty Young's Flora and Fauna collection. My latest must-have fabric is Zoo Menagerie from Eleanor Grosch. I'm not sure what I'd do with it, but I like it.
What was the best thing you made in 2010? (Be sure to share a photo!)
Wow, this is hard. I'm pretty excited about several things I've made, but if I had to choose one, I'd say it's my shirt variation of the Oliver & S jump rope dress:
What is one of the best things you saw that was made by someone else?
I've seen so much inspiration over the year, but I don't keep track as much as I should. Recently, I stumbled across this adorable little bunting sampler from Pilli Pilli:
What do you think 2011 has in store? (Again, trends, fabric, patterns, etc.)
I think everyone is anxiously awaiting the April release of Aneela Hoey's Sherbet Pips, so of course, there'll be that. I think (well maybe it's more of a hope) that fabric designers will have more of a focus on fabrics other than quilting cottons. Anna Maria's voile and Patty Young and Leisl's knits and of course Heather Ross' double gauze are some great early examples. I love quilting cottons, but the drape on some of these other fabrics is so much better for clothing, and I think often more comfortable. I'd love to see more prints available in double gauze and maybe in some linen or linen blends.
Anything you’re ready for the sewing world to get over?
I can't think of anything too offensive, but I'm not really crazy about sewing with old vintage sheets. I'm not sure if they're from the 50's, 60's, 70's or what, but I just don't care for the designs. I think it's great to reuse and repurpose, but these just aren't up my alley.
What’s on your sewing agenda for 2011? What are you excited about? What would you like to learn more about?
I'm super excited about getting back to sewing kids clothes. I think there may be some fabric goodies and pattern books in my near future (we still have one more Christmas celebration to go). I plan to sew more patterns from my Japanese sewing book and finally order some Citronille sewing patterns. I'd like to learn more about making my own patterns and also get some more ideas for sewing for my tween daughter.
