Confined Crafting

 Happy New Year! It's 2022 already... The #ConfinedCrafting blog is now a year old. Which brings me to my first resolution: update the blog more often ! I haven't been a regular blogger and I would really like to make a good go of regular updates here. My new sewing assistant is even more disruptive than the cats! Meet Rudolph the Spanador (Cocker Spaniel-Labrador mix). Spot my stolen tape-measure... My second resolution involves following projects through to the end before getting distracted planning a new project! I really enjoy the process of planning, choosing a pattern, assembling the kit, even cutting out the fabric, and often at that point I start to sew then run out of time to finish in one go, then just ... Never pick it up again. Even if I really want the thing I am making! Hence the resolution to focus and finish on a project before starting another. I still haven't hemmed this circle skirt that I made in May 2021... My third resolution is to keep my sewing area...

Back in January I blogged about my crafting intentions for this year - and seeing as it's April already I thought an update would be good!  1. A new project: making myself clothes I have succeeded in making myself the York Pinafore by Helen's Closet 🎊🎊 I want to write up the experience in a separate blog post so I'll just post a quick pic here: The dress is made from sales fabric that I got cheaply and was intended to be a 'wearable toile' - a test piece that you won't be heartbroken if it goes wrong, but can wear if it goes right! I still intend to make another York Pinafore in nicer fabric. I've also managed to make a top for my daughter, which was my first foray into sewing with knit fabric: It's definitely tricky not to let the stretch fabric, well, stretch during sewing, but I managed to avoid it too badly everywhere except the neckline, which as you can see if quite wobbly. Still I was pleased with it for a first try! 2. Finishing something: cr...

I have craft-related resolutions every year but inspired by Katharine I’m going to put them out in public this year! A new project Three big ones here!   Inspired by Stef I want to make a body-double/mannequin, which should help with fitting and various other issues that occur when you sew on your own. I'm planning on using the Bootstrap pattern  though I’m postponing this project until spring because I foresee a few changes in my body shape (imminent move from overworked freelancer to more chill person with a permanent job should free up a few hours in the week for working out). A friend and I are going to tackle trousers, specifically the Closet Core Jenny pattern . I’m not sure I need overalls but I really like the high-waisted wide-legged trousers. Ideally I would perfect the fit, then make three pairs in different fabrics and never think about trousers again. To complete Levelling Up Workwear I also want to see if I can make a buttoned shirt to fit me… And there is ...

What are you thinking of crafting in 2021? Have you set yourself goals, ambitions, vague intentions?  I've come up with some categories to help guide intention-setting: 1. A new project 2. Finishing something from your abandoned-works-in-progress-pile-of-doom 3. Learning or practicing new skills & techniques or trying something new 4. #StashDown - don't buy any new fabric, wool, paper, paints or whatever materials you use for your craft. Use up what you already have! Here are my resolutions! 1. A new project: making myself clothes One of the key reasons for taking up sewing was to make myself clothes. I'm plus size (UK 20) and find it hard to get good quality clothes that fit me well. I'm also trying to be as eco-aware as possible and buying poor-quality clothes with a high plastic content that were made by 8 year olds in a sweatshop doesn't fit with that ambition! I have been building up the confidence to start making myself something, but I really am at the s...