Getting organized in the new year? Me, too!
I found this desk carousel at Target’s dollar spot for $3, and it is keeping my sewing work space much neater. And it twirls!
I have fat quarters to go! My fabric stash is growing, and my fat quarters needed some organization so I could see what I had. This very inexpensive CD holder with zipper and straps lets me see them at a glance, and is portable to boot. It’s about 22 inches long so a lot fits in there.
I was thinking about projects I want to finish this year. One, a crocheted afghan, was started back in 2012. I asked myself why some projects languish, why others are completed, and what my motivation is for making things.
These are the factors I’m influenced by:
1) Need or practical use.
Clothes fit into this category. I have been especially motivated to make sleeveless woven tops, because I couldn’t find ones in the store that fit. In the future, I would like to try making pants, and other casual wear for home.
2) Enjoyment and creativity.
Embroidery falls into this category, as well as quilting. One thing I like about quilting is the fabric happiness from collecting and sewing with so many pretty and varied prints.
3) Furthering of skills or sense of accomplishment.
I like to learn how to execute, and even master new techniques. In the future, I would like to complete some larger projects.
4) Variety.
I like following my enthusiasm of the moment. Sometimes I lose interest in a particular area of sewing or other needle art, but after taking a break I’m excited to get back to it.
5) Momentum.
This is involved with finishing a project. I usually like to finish a project I’m working on. When I set it aside, it’s hard for me to get back into it, or remember the details. This is why I mainly do small projects. I lost momentum on my crocheted afghan at about the halfway point, and I needed to figure out a strategy to finish it.
My first finished project of the year won’t be the afghan. But I do have a strategy for working on it. I realize that the reason I couldn’t garner any momentum was because of the nature of granny squares as opposed to a pattern like a ripple. I couldn’t just pick it up and crochet another row, but had to start numerous squares from scratch. The first round is hard for me; it’s small and hard to see where to put the hook. So I decided to set aside time to concentrate and complete 10 first rounds at a time so I can later pick them up and work on them while relaxing at night. I plan to crochet the granny squares until I’m finished or I run out of yarn.
How are your New Year plans going?
Stitch It Again 