Last year, I wrote a post about my sewing and project goals, one of which was to Organize and Prioritize Sewing Projects.  I have done pretty well sticking with my goal, but I do have to admit that I have added several new projects to my list instead of finishing the ones I have already started.  I don’t feel too badly about that, though, because I have actually finished a lot more so far this year than I ever expected.

As part of my goal to stay on track and finish projects, I joined the 2016 Quarter Four Finish-A-Long Group.  The FAL was great motivation to finish projects, and I was relatively successful.  I started participating in the second quarter, and I had 68 projects total that I wanted to finish.  The end of the year closed out with me finishing 35 of them.  I am really happy with that number, especially since there were several projects I worked on that were not part of my FAL List.  I wrote blog posts for nearly all my finishes, and they can be found here:  2016 Finish-A-Long.  The finishes that aren’t written as blog posts are on my Instagram account.

The Finish-A-Long was such a success for me, I decided to participate again this year.    I am not adding very many new projects to my list because I want to finish what I didn’t get done in 2016.

The Basics

The FAL is a low pressure community event that allows you to make a list of projects that have already been started but not finished and thus are hanging about in your sewing room as UFOs. The list is linked up at the beginning of a quarter and then at the end of the quarter you link up a link for each item on your list that you finished. Each link is an entry into the random draw for great prizes sponsored by our generous sponsors. There is no penalty for not finishing something on your list.

2017 Quarter One Finish-A-Long Projects:

1.  Bella Sunshine Designs Maggie Top, Tunic, & Dress Sew-A-Long

This is by far the biggest project I have right now.  I am hosting the Bella Sunshine Designs Maggie Top, Tunic, & Dress Sew-A-Long on the Sewing Pattern Testers Blog.  If you’re interested, hop on over and join us!

2.  Bracers & Greaves – LARP

I don’t actually have to make myself bracers anymore because a friend of mine is making them out of real leather for me.  I will be making myself greaves, though, to protect my lower legs.

3.  Breeches – LARP

One of the problems I have had with previous costumes is that my leggings either slip or aren’t comfortable.  This year I really wanted to make a pair of breeches that have a waistband and stay up much better.  They will be more functional as I’m running around the woods.

4.  Long Sleeve Underdress – LARP

This is not a huge priority since I do have a long-sleeve underdress, but it doesn’t fit well.  I really just want to replace the existing one.

5.  Peasant Blouse – LARP

Adding options to my costume wardrobe for different weather and levels of laziness (sometimes getting fully into costume takes FOREVER).

6.  Short Sleeve Underdress – LARP

I love the look of my long sleeve underdress, just not the fit or how hot it gets in August during our second event.  I could really use a short sleeve option.

7.  Gold Satin Blouse – LARP

This blouse (probably using the peasant blouse pattern above) will go with the brown velvet breeches and the gold brocade doublet (below).

8.  Gold Brocade Vest/Doublet – LARP

I will be making a doublet/vest out of this brocade fabric to be worn over a blouse made out of the gold satin.  I will wear them both with the brown velvet breeches I am making.

9.  Large Wizard Hat for Todd – LARP

I have the hat making supplies on hand, so all I really need to do is go through my stash and use some leftover fabric from his previous costumes to cover the hat frame with.

10.  Emmaline Bags The Retreat Bag (3)

Last year, I made my first version of this bag, and I made quite a few mistakes. I am looking forward to making more, and making them correctly!

11.  Lined Drawstring Bags

I have several lined drawstring bags I need to finish.

12.  Bahama Mama Boy Shorts

When I pattern tested the Bahama Mama Peplum Tankini, I intended to also make last year’s bottoms – the Bahama Mama Boy Shorts, but I didn’t get them finished prior to the testing call closing.  I have the fabric and pattern, I just need to get the suckers sewn up!

13.  Indigo Dyeing

Indigo Dyeing is interesting, and I think it would be a lot of fun, especially then using the dyed product to make something.

14.  Water Color Tinted Embroidery

I saw Rebecca’s Water Color Tinted Embroidery from March, and I love the look!  I am not a huge fan of embroidery, but I think that is more due to lack of experience than general dislike.

15.  August TSNEM – Create a Bodice Sloper

So far, this project has been a miserable fail.  I have re-drawn the sloper pieces with better measurements.  I just need to assemble the muslin and make sure I got it right this time.

16.  September TSNEM – Hat & Mask Making

The base pieces for the hat are cut out and ready to start covering and stitching together.  I am using fabric leftover from my current LARP costumes.

17.  Denim Quilt

I have had the old jeans and other pieces of denim washed, trimmed, and ready to cut for YEARS.  I was able to get the blocks cut just before Christmas, and after I finish the Maggie Sew-A-Long, it will be my first priority.

18.  Desert Oasis Quilt by Simple Simon & Company

I am excited to make this quilt.  It is very simple with clean lines, but it is still very interesting.  I already have the fabric required in my stash, which is even better!

19.  Mug Rugs for Living Room and Theater

I am using this tutorial from Christine at Stitch All the Things to make mug rugs for our two communal “living spaces”, the theater and the living room.  We don’t have any, and we definitely need some!  I have so many scraps left over from last years Christmas Gift quilts that it seems like a perfect stash buster!

20.  Sewing Machine Cover

Earlier this fall my sewing machine quit working, and I frantically tried everything I could to get it working again, including cleaning.  I do clean it regularly, but it was still very dusty and covered in lint.  This is how I store it the majority of the time because I use it constantly.  I have decided that it needs a cover for when I am not putting it away completely.  I am going to use this pattern and tutorial from Bloom and Blossom.

21.  Sassy Librarian Blouse

I have had the fabric and pattern for this blouse for over a year, and I would love to finally follow through getting it made.

22.  Patterns for Pirates Mama Bear Joggers and Cocoon Cardigan

I have made two pairs of Mama Bear Joggers, and I love them!  They are very comfortable, and they are a relatively quick sew.  I plan on making the Joggers out of the Galaxy Print and the Cocoon Cardigan out of the black.

 

23.  Microwave Bowl Holders

Todd’s mom gave me one of these for Christmas last year, and I love it!  Unfortunately, everyone else in our house loves it, too, so I rarely get to use it.  I am going to make several more for us.  My mom made an offhand comment recently about liking them, so I will make a couple for her and my dad, as well.