Reflections and resewlutions

Looking back on 2013 my best decision made in the sewing room was to start this blog. I want to thank all bloggers that inspired me, all followers for taking the time to read my posts and all who left comments for their kind reactions and their support!

I really like the hits and misses top 5-lists, started by Gillian and wanted to make my own lists, but being around in the blogosphere for less than four months means lots of my hits and misses happened Before Blogging and were not documented properly.

My number one hit did make it to the blog. It must be this Negroni shirt, blogged about here

Not only did it win a prize in the Super Online Community Sewing Match but it's so funny to watch my husband roll up his sleeves at a party to proudly show the contrast fabric and 'professional finish' on the inside (his words, not mine).

The favorite me-made-for-me must be the Joi dress, one day I'm gonna wear it inside out because of this:

Over to my sewing plans for 2014.

This might need some explanation. I've spent the better part of New Year's Day reading about other bloggers' sewing plans for the coming year. What worries me a bit is the amount of self-imposed limitations I read about and how often the words 'failure' and 'feeling guilty' are used when it comes to not reaching self set goals.

It's bad enough to have restrictions on calorie intake and the daily dose of espresso's. But restrict myself in the sewing room? Don't think so.

Rules, restrictions and deadlines are part of my working life. Sewing is my creative outlet. Creativity needs freedom.

When I read about a Burda Challenge (you have to make at least one garment out of each monthly BurdaStyle issue) it makes my hair stand up straight. What? If Burda releases a crappy issue I HAVE to pick one of the ugly bunch and make it? Why would I join such a challenge?

I really love the fact that over 200 women are joining Sarah of Goodbye Valentino in her 365 days of Ready to wear-fast. I will follow them all with great interest. But me? It may very well be that I'm not buying any RTW all year long, I really like to sew all the garments that are spinning around in my head. But I refuse to feel guilty for buying a simple white tee, or having to force myself to walk away from a one of a kind deal on a designer coat.

And then there is the matter of fabric stash. Sewists are very conscious about stashbusting these days. I've read about shopping bans, or 2 out, 1 in-rules. Recently I witnessed a woman falling in love with some inexpensive fabric. She immediately knew what she wanted to use it for: a jacket that would match some of her trousers and skirts. She looked excited and was heading towards the salesperson. Then the girl who accompanied her said: "You don't need that, you already have way too much fabric!" The woman's smile disappeared, her shoulders dropped and she walked away. I promised myself on the spot that I'd rather give away my beloved stash than let it block my creativity.

Don't let anyone dull your sparkle. It's easy to come up with goals and challenges at the beginning of the year. But will it make your sewing life happier? Or is there a chance you will dull your own sparkle?

I know I'm at my best when I'm sewing something I really, really want to make. Not because I need to, or have to. And because I don't know what I really want to make in June, or September, I do not want to make any statement now that will limit my choices later on. One rule: no rules. How about you?