2009 Sewing Projects

I need a place to keep track of these, so I figured this blog would be a good starting point! I posted about my Christmas sewing projects a couple of days ago. This is a list of all the projects I've made this year with my trusty sewing machine....

First, a bit of history: I had an old, black, cast iron Singer that I inherited. It did one straight stitch--and did it splendidly...until I was finishing up the 5th of the 6 Christmas stockings I was making last year. And it was a couple of weeks before Christmas. And it died. Kaput. May it rest in peace.

So, my wonderful husband heard about a sewing machine sale and sent me off to get a new one. WOW... the newer machines can do so many things!!! I got a Janome mid-price model and have used it so much ever since. I never knew what I was missing! My husband may regret that purchase because since then I've spent a lot of time sewing...and not as much time cleaning house :).

I've definitely become a better seamstress this year and am glad I've taken the time to practice and make some smaller projects. It's very rewarding to gain expertise in a skill and hobby you enjoy.

So, without further ado, the list of projects (links to pictures are being updated as I get the pictures up...):

• 5 toddler purses (blue, pink, and a group of three)
• 2 tiered "twirly" skirts for my daughter (short and long)
• 1 queen-sized bed quilt
• 2 basic reversible totes
• Mom's Sunday School tote
• 1 passport neck pouch
• 3 window valances
• 2 tea cozies and matching finger grips
• 3 drawstring bags for preschool girls
• 6 women's aprons
• 1 men's apron
• 1 "mom bag" for Erin
• 1 tablerunner

Christmas Sewing Projects

This blog seems an appropriate place to list my Christmas projects for this year (and this will explain why I never contribute to this blog--I'm rarely bored! :) ). Sewing is a terrific hobby if you have young children because you can stop and start easily and even put a project on the shelf for 6 months (unlike cooking or gardening or other more time-sensitive pursuits). It's also quiet--even if your machine is noisy, you can always cut and iron fabric during naptime and get all the prep work out of the way.

Here's what I made for Christmas this year (as I type this, I'm keenly aware that I should be working on the remaining projects... ahem... items with asterisks (*) still need to be completed....).

6 women's aprons (* 1 left)

1 man's apron*

3 toddler superhero capes*

2 tote bags

1 table runner (that, alas, has been rejected due to recipient moving into a new house!)

On the docket for January (items for upcoming birthdays and/or requests from the peanut gallery)

1 t-shirt quilt

3 tote bags (plus 1 for me if I can squeeze it in)

3 laptop sleeves

1 apron

1 preschooler's dress :)

1 purse

Someday, when I have time, I'll post some pictures of my projects. They're getting better, so it's been rewarding to see what all the practice has done for my skill level.