Finishing is going to be my Key Word for Fall and Winter! I always have something I need to finish. Always! I am the kind of maker that always has loads of projects going at once. I have always been this way. I know alot of folks that start in on one project and they work steadily on it until it is finished before allowing themselves to start anything else. That is amazing to me. Incomprehensible really! Sort of admirable as well. But I just do not function that way.
Cotton Velvet bags I started almost a year ago..boy, aren't these fabrics gorgeous!
Now, don't misunderstand. I get alot done. But I always have ideas running in my head, even when I am in the midst of making something else, visions of new bags, dresses, color combinations, just pop in to my head. I often drop what I am doing, get out a sketch book and throw down some notes, sketches, ideas. Or I just go and start in on that new thing, just to get it going. I usually have got to get it out of my head or I can not move on.
I made a new prototype for a bag design last Spring. It is so awesome. I cut out a dozen the next week and well, they have been sitting ever since. :(
It was really hard this summer for me, as I taught alot! Nearly every day. I would get in to the shop a bit early and cut out some things. And when class would end, I'd try to sneak in some time to sew. But it was hard. I took in alot of custom orders over the summer, in addition to teaching. So I had very little time to sew up much of the things I'd cut out, let alone start in on new things.
One day in early summer, before my summer sewing classes started up, I whipped up these 3 gorgeous quilt tops. I even cut the fabric for the pieced backings. It ended there. These are going to be so lovely...I really need to get them done!
My sketch book is overflowing with lists, ideas, new products. I have stacks of cut out parts in my work area in the back of the shop. And my head is still filled with ideas and designs. I want to get my loom set up. I want to get my needle felting tools out. I want to set up my screen printing area. And so many other things.
A pile of skirts I cut out in early summer.......
I sat down yesterday and mapped out a little schedule to help me atleast work towards getting things finished up. I have prioritized my to do list and have decided to spend the next 30 days just finishing up things without starting anything new. I will allow myself to sketch, and will try to sit with my coffee for 30 minutes each morning doing so, just to dedicate a time to it.
Parts for bags cut from gorgeous European cotton velveteens and Japanese linen...waiting....
I am so bad with this sort of thing. Spontaneity reigns with me and I really struggle with organized creativity, if you will. Some call it ADD. I call it enjoying making!haahaa So, in an attempt to hold myself accountable, I will share some UFO's (unfinished objects) here in this space and will attempt to get images of the finished objects revealed here within a timely manner. Perhaps the joy of sharing the finished projects here will motivate me to stick to course and get things done.
Another great new bag design I am working on....need to get the prototype finished.....
Yes, I do notice that I have not given myself strick timelines to have things finished. The main reason for that is, I just don't know when I will get custom orders rolling in. And I always have to get the custom orders done first.
I made a prototype for these totes back in the Spring and have carried it around and gotten loads of compliments. So I cut out a bunch of them in an array of fabric combinations. Pockets are pinned. Straps and linings are made....now to finish.........
So, wish me luck on my attempts to reign in my creativity (just a bit) and work my way through my piles of UFO's. I know that it will be hard, as my creativity really peaks in the midst of making. I wish I have some little minions around that I could send off to sew up things for me. But no such luck around. These two hands that are typing these works right now are all I have. So, as Tim Gunn says, I'll make it work!
I wish you all a happy and productive Friday! Take time to be creative (just control yourselves, okay!).
Talk soon,
Sheree
